Description

A community project will enable you to fully immerse yourself within the community, and by the end you will feel like one of the locals. There are a diverse number of projects you can be involved in from ecotourism in Peru to women empowerment projects in Ecuador for abused women. Projects like these help you contribute in preserving some unique and special ways of life and helping people achieve a common goal.

*Community Building Projects for Rural Minority Groups

Work with hilltribe communities on a number of initiatives to raise their living standards and personal opportunities for growth and development. Whilst the foundation helps individuals to get citizenship registration allowing them access to some basic government support, including registration for education and healthcare, teams of volunteers work to increase outdoor provisions within local communities. Volunteers are needed for an array of building and development projects ranging from classroom and elderly home building and maintenance, to garden and plantation support as well as road repairs and maintenance. This is a great chance to get physically involved and make a concrete difference to communities unable to provide the manpower themselves.

*Provide Support to Victims of Human Trafficking

Help to provide better lives and futures for women who have little or no resources, are forced to work in the sex trade. Based outside of Chiang Mai, it is a multi-faceted project which you can choose where to put the majority of your efforts during your stay,

*Human Trafficking Photography Expedition to Promote Social Change

A harsh reality in this world is that child and human trafficking are real and pertinent issues facing millions of people each day. In an effort to fight this social taboo in Thailand, the need to raise awareness is essential, in turn helping to cease the spread of human trafficking whilst providing support to those who have fallen victim to the trade as well as creating a better future for children at risk.

Documenting the trade and those affected by it photographically, is a vital tool to allow ordinary people, far removed from Thailand and the situation at hand to get a visual taste of this unseen world. To do this, the project needs more keen and committed photographs to devote their time, skills and dedication to documenting the hill tribes of northern Thailand helping to create real change in the lives of victims and those at risk of human trafficking.

*Medical Trek and Social Outreach in Hill Tribe Communities

Working at a community level, this project addresses the ongoing health needs of rural hill-tribe communities by providing free primary healthcare and social aid to villagers in need. Working in tandem with the head of the local village, the projects aims are to provide regular and consistent access to primary medical care both for the greater community and in conjunction with the local school.

While healthcare in the greater province is available it is hard to access, and limited monetary funds and language barriers between the hill-tribe people and the local district health department have proved difficult for many. Incentives to travel the 4 hour round trip to the local hospital are few, with many villagers working 7 day weeks. Not only is the community grappling with bad roads and a lack of public transportation, but the problems of originating from a hill-tribe have made getting treated and receiving ongoing medication an inherently difficult task and one not considered a feasible option by many.

Highlights

Exotic temples, thick green jungle, crystal clear blue water, ancient ruins and spicy, tasty cuisine are some reasons why so many overseas travelers come to the 'Golden Land.'

Around 10% of the Thai population is in serious poverty and less than 30% are living in poverty. Even so, Thailand is not as impoverished as many of its neighboring Asian countries. The main problem is the huge difference in income between the upper 30% of the population and the rest, especially those living in rural areas, such as the Hill Tribes around Chiang Mai.

*Beaches of Krabi and Trang:
Krabi and Trang are the best places in Thailand to experience tropical paradise. Both beaches have soft white sand, warm turquoise water, towering limestone cliffs, and small coves and offshore islands to explore.

*Hot air ballooning in Chiang Mai:
Setting off as the sun begins to rise over a river of mist flowing through the tree tops is a great way to start your breathtaking balloon ride. Panoramic views of distant mountains, terraced rice paddies, the lush green Ping River valley and rural villages, are sure to take your breath away.

*Scuba Diving on Manta Ray expeditions:
The best place to see these legendary 'devil fish' is the nutrient-rich waters of Koh Bon, an island north of Similan. Surround yourself with swirling mantas as they pass close by blocking the sunlight with their elegant mass. Best encounters are between November and April.

Volunteers bring an international perspective to the work of reforestation, conservation, education and awareness passing along their knowledge and enthusiasm to local residents who will benefit the most from these projects.

Qualifications

Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit the website for more information.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared room in a basic homestay within hill-tribe communities
* Food: 3 meals a day
* Airport pick up
* Transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
* Pre-departure information pack
* Training: On site orientation, language class and project briefing
* Professional support through the trek: You will be travelling with a local licensed physician, a local licensed nurse, a translator and record keeper, a social worker, a local guide and a local community leader for the duration of your expedition.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range

Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008