Description

Helping single mothers gain the skills needed to survive and prosper is a truly amazing and rewarding experience. However, before this can take place, the mothers, children and staff need a place to sleep, eat and learn how to better the lives of these young women in need. Building, smiling, laughing and sweating will be done by volunteers alongside the Thai construction staff, employees and other volunteers at the Single Mother's Home. This project is perfect for those interested in hands-on physical work for the improvement of an amazing organization dedicated to improving the lives of young women who really need a helping hand.

Assisting in the hands-on construction, of mostly bamboo structures, that will act as dormitories and work spaces for staff, volunteers and the women and children that reside at the home is the basic role of volunteers in this project. Volunteers will be working outside and assisting in all phases of the construction (the treatment and sealing of the bamboo, laying the cement foundation, assembling the frame and walls, etc.) for training areas, housing for volunteers, staff and the women and children, along with communal areas for the women that reside at the home. The Single Mother's Home has recently moved to a beautiful new, rural location surrounded by rice paddies, gardens and mountains. Although you will work in the sun and heat, you will be more than welcome to take breaks when needed and allow time to take in the beauty of the northern Thai countryside.

You can often times hear the rattling of a steel buffalo (the Thai word for the small two wheeled, hand held rice paddy tractors) in the distance from the gardens and rice paddies of the Single Mother's Home. Although surrounded by rice paddies and mountains the home is only a 15 minute drive from the bustling streets of Chiang Mai. Working the land with simple gardening tools, helping the single mothers at the home with the development of new and pre-existing gardens is one of the responsibilities of volunteers in this project. Many of the mothers at the home originally came from and will eventually return to the mountainous countryside of northern Thailand. Working with the women and other Thai staff in the gardens, with how to create sustainable and unique gardening and agricultural techniques is something of great benefit to the women during their stay at the home. During a volunteer's experience, they will certainly pick up from the women and Thai staff, how to work the Earth Thai style and laughing often at the wit that rural Thais possess.

Volunteers will assist in the creation of new and upkeep of current gardens, plant life and overall grounds of the home. Volunteers will assist the staff and women at the home with the upkeep of the plants in the garden, along with the greenery throughout the grounds of the home. Upkeep in the garden consists of planting new seeds and plants, watering and fertilizing the existing plants. Trimming the bushes, cutting the grass and pulling weeds at the home, along with general upkeep are also part of the role of volunteers.

Highlights

Chiang Mai is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields. Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city with a population of roughly 700,000. The city is considered the cultural and physical capital of (what used to be) the northern Thai (Lanna) kingdom. Chiang Mai is the home of an international airport, restaurants of almost every cuisine, incredible shopping and world class hospitals.

During or after one's volunteer service, Friends For Asia recommends for volunteers to take part in some of the many different local attractions and/or courses. Every Sunday Chiang Mai closes off one of the main roads in the old city to put on a walking street market. Vendors and artisans from the area set up their small booths to sell their handicrafts, art and mouthwatering finger foods.

Chiang Mai offers Thai cooking courses starting around USD35, Thai massage courses starting around USD45, along with jungle treks and regular Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches. Upon your arrival into Chiang Mai, Friends For Asia will be more than happy to help you sign up for one of these exciting opportunities to learn more about this beautiful culture.

Qualifications

Volunteers will need to have a basic knowledge of tools, building, gardening and working with plants, be 20 years or older, in good physical condition and able to work in the heat. Volunteers should be able-bodied, flexible and enjoy working outside.

Friends For Asia requires all volunteers in this project (and all other projects where volunteers work directly with or near children) to submit a certified police background check before volunteer service begins.

Intern Types

• Women's Studies

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

895

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Participation in the Gardening Volunteer Project at the Single Mother's Home starts at USD 895 for four weeks. Each additional week is USD 100.

FEE INCLUDES: Airport pick up, accommodation during orientation and entire project time, breakfast every morning, lunch every work day, 2 day orientation, half day city tour, cultural dinner and show, onsite coordinator and 24 hour emergency assistance.
FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Plane tickets, travel insurance, cost of criminal police background check required for this project, cost of transportation to and from work location and accommodation, ride to the airport after service, dinner.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

An individual who loves to travel, wants to learn more about Thailand and assist Asia in it's development.

Age Range

20 and up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Independent living

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 2 or 3

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement

The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded

2008