Description

Laos is one of the most pristine and laid-back countries in Southeast Asia, despite its landlocked location between such formidable neighbors as China, Vietnam, and Thailand. Laos is also one of the least developed and most impoverished countries in the region, so the opportunities for volunteer assistance are vast. The Globe Aware program takes place in fascinating Luang Prabang, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its charming French-colonial architecture. Monks in saffron robes still stroll to Luang Prabang's many temples with umbrellas over their shoulder, while longtail boats are guided gently down the Mekong River making deliveries. Unfortunately, Laos has the dubious honor of being the most heavily bombed nation in history because American fighters used it as a dumping ground for explosives during the Vietnam War. While landmines have been cleared from all major tourist areas, and the areas where Globe Aware works, thousands of Lao people are maimed and killed every year by the tons of unexploded ordinance still not cleared from the countryside.

Your volunteer work may be spread between the government orphanage, and a variety of other village schools and community projects, as needed. Specific projects will be decided immediately before your volunteer week based on progress of previous groups and specific need at the time. You may make improvements to school structures. Facilities are often very inadequate, and you may be making general repairs such as replacing doors and windows, painting, or pouring a concrete floor, for example. You will be working alongside the local people to make vast improvements their communities.

Projects vary depending on the number of volunteers, which projects were finished (or not) with the prior group, what priorities have changed, weather conditions, which supplies are available, and often the interest and fitness level of the volunteers. For these reasons, specific projects are often not fixed until the week prior to your arrival and can even change upon arrival.

Highlights

There will be several planned (but optional) excursions to see local sites, and you can also use your free time for site seeing.

Luang Prabang is set amidst the splendor of mountains, forests, and rivers, and offers a multitude of thousand year-old temples and shrines, a vibrant night market for local weaving and antiques, as well as a thriving Buddhist community of thousands of monks aged eight to ninety years old. Make sure not to miss the Royal Palace Museum, Kuong Sy falls, and Pak Ou Caves. In between temple visits, there are many small restaurants perched high on the banks of the Mekong where you can watch life float slowly by.

Qualifications

No special skills or qualifications necessary.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1140

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

The typical Globe Aware is a working professional between the ages of 25 and 45.

Age Range

All ages are welcome.

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of >10

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 to 7 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Globe Aware's Mission Statement

Globe Aware seeks to promote lifelong advocates for a better world and to sustain the world's cultural and natural resources. The organization, together with the local community hosts, develops effective local solutions to global problems in non-religious, non-political, multi-international environments. The aim is to expand and foster cross-cultural peace and understanding between Americans and the rest of the world, to preserve culture and promote sustainability. Globe Aware expeditions provide volunteers the opportunity to live and work side by side with a host community. The hosts provide a safe and interesting setting in which to learn, help, and have fun. The volunteers help to empower the host communities in creating renewable, self-sufficient programs. While Globe Aware's financial assistance benefits the community economically, it is actually the involvement and collaboration between the volunteers and community that is the greatest mutual benefit.

Year Founded

2001