Description

Your role as a volunteer is not only to make the children's lives at the orphanage more enjoyable but to educate them through music, sports, computer, English education and art during the Thai summer (March - mid-May). You will pick one, or more, of the above areas and with direction from the full time staff, organize lessons or games with the children to enjoy and take part in.

Aside from organizing activities, the orphanage staff asks that volunteers spend individual time with the children, giving hugs, attention and love. Volunteers are asked to be flexible, for often times last minute changes or events come up which may disrupt a volunteer initiated or planned activity. Although the children at the orphanage are living with HIV, they show just as much excitement, love and life as children anywhere.

The children are at the orphanage because of losing their parents to HIV. In some cases, the orphanage accepts sick parents with HIV, so they can spend their last days with their children. Additionally, this allows an easier transition for the children, after the passing of their parents, considering they are already accustomed to the orphanage and its staff.

The orphanage is run by foreigners dedicated to the fight against HIV and AIDS. They ask that volunteers are flexible and patient, as there are many special activities that occur at the orphanage, especially during the Thai New Year (Songkran) which occurs in mid-April.

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 USD 35, Thai massage courses starting around USD 45, 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

The orphanage requires an additional application form from all perspective volunteers. After completion of the additional application, orphanage staff will determine acceptance into the volunteer service program.

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

Although it's not necessary for volunteers to be Christian, the administration of the orphanage would like for all volunteers to be aware and respect that the orphanage functions and was founded under Christian principles.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Starts at 695 for two weeks.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training

Program Fees Include:

Participation in the HIV Orphanage Volunteer Project starts at USD 695 for two 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 the orphanage and accommodation (roughly USD5 per day), ride to the airport after service, dinner.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Aids
• Childcare/children
• Counseling
• Health
• Youth Development

Typical Volunteer

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

Age Range

Men or Women over 20.

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 days

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