Description

During the week you will be volunteering in Tha Thum, 1 hour North of Surin. Tha Thum is the most northern district of Surin Province on the border with Roi Et Province. It is a very rural location though it does have a few local amenities including a shop.

Tha Thum is Surin's "District of Elephants". There is believed to be approx 250 elephants living in Tha Thum. Historically elephants worked in 'logging' (removing trees from forests) creating an income for their owners. As logging has now been banned for many years in Thailand, domesticated elephants are now unemployed. In an attempt to reduce the expense of caring for domesticated elephants, many of them are sent to the bigger cities and used for tourism. This is bad for two reasons; firstly many elephants are involved in traffic accidents while working in the cities and secondly elephants are grazers and need to be constantly eating to maintain their weight and health which is obviously not possible while living in the cities. The aim of this project is to generate income for the families ensuring the elephants can remain in the rural areas. The elephants are well treated in this region and their handlers are proud of their standard of care.

Highlights

You can actively get involved by helping the communities that look after the elephants in Tha Thum. Your duties may include; planting bamboo, wild grass and other crops to help feed the elephants during the dry season. Adult elephants can eat an incredible 550 lbs of food in one day, so you can understand the importance of providing enough food for them. The project work also extends to supporting the local community with a number of development projects planned every year. These include helping local schools, poor families and planting and harvesting crops amongst others. You may also have the opportunity to learn traditional Thai fishing methods and kayak on the local river.

You will volunteer in the mornings leaving your afternoons with the opportunity to learn to control these magnificent creatures under the supervision of the elephant's handler (also known as a mahout). Most afternoons you will take your elephant down to the river for a swim. After the heat of the day elephants love to cool off and roll in the river. This will be an amazing experience and one of which we are sure you are unlikely to forget! Your weekends will be spent close to the town of Surin.

Qualifications

Minimum 18 years

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

from USD 849.00

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• Food
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

What's Included:

* Airport meet and greet
* Arrival airport transfer
* 1 night arrival night in Bangkok
* Transfer from accommodation in Bangkok to project
* Accommodation during project
* Food while in Tha Thum on project
* Project Coordinator

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement

We offer over 250 projects and travel options in over 35 countries. So whether you are interested in volunteering, community work, conservation, paid work overseas, teaching English, learning a new skill, adventure travel or sports and expeditions, you will find what you are looking for with Real Gap. Not only about we passionate about responsible travel, we also want to make sure you have a good time too! Our travel advisers have traversed the globe and taken their own gap years, so they can give you all the advice you need to plan yours. You will also get support from both our on-site and office staff who understand the needs and expectations of Real Gap travelers.

Year Founded

2005