Description

Elephants are a revered animal throughout Thailand, almost reaching sacred status. In Surin, elephants are common place, seen almost everywhere and kept like pets in many villages and rural communities.

By joining this Elephant Adventure project our volunteers will assist with their care and join community-based projects in a village located in the northern part of Surin province. Each day volunteers time will be split between learning about the elephants, training them, learning to ride and control and feeding them, all under the supervision of the elephants handler, known as the Mahout. Weather permitting, 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 is an amazing experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Our work also extends to supporting the local community. A number of development projects have been planned including helping local schools, poor families and government run projects such as child day care centres. With Thai government initiatives or with our own projects, without the help of volunteers and their fees the work simply wouldn't happen. Volunteers play a vital role in all of our work.

Highlights

A day in a life of a volunteer
Volunteers will arrive at the village on the Monday morning and spend the next 4 days living and working in the community before being returned to Surin town and the volunteer accommodation, Thursday afternoon. Each day will be a mixture of a number of activities; from caring for elephants to planting trees and organising games and activities for local children. Whilst at the elephant village volunteers will also have the opportunity to learn Thai cooking, traditional Thai fishing techniques, kayak on the river (weather permitting) and brush up on the their Thai language skills by talking to the local villagers and playing with the kids. This is truly a unique project and one that, just like an elephant, you will never forget!

Travel Types

• Environmental Studies
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Safari
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Trekking
• Volunteering

Qualifications

No qualifications or experience necessary. Just a good arm for bathing and scrubbing the backs of elephants.

Intern Types

• Agriculture
• Zoology & Wildlife Sciences

Languages

• English
• Thai

Cost in US$:

450 - 700

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Our volunteers are kind natured and work well socially. Our volunteers respect the local community and do their utmost to protect their culture without offending or disturbing the locality. Ultimatlely we hope our volunteers walk away from our projects thinking "Wow, I did that!"

Age Range

18-88

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Guest House
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 4-10

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Starfish Volunteers's Mission Statement

With hard work and total dedication to its projects, Starfish has expanded its work and now has three divisions working together to ensure its objectives are reached and maintained. Since the middle of 2010 Starfish Volunteers and Starfish Tours have guided almost 2,000 volunteers and travellers to the delights that only Thailand can offer. In addition, with the creation of the Starfish Foundation, all volunteer projects and NGO work will be subsidized by its tours division, ensuring funding for years to come. Beginning in 2012, Starfish Group will expand volunteer operations into Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Sri Lanka an India Our Approach Starfish Volunteers specialises in supporting development projects in SE Asia through the placement of foreign volunteers, delivering financial aid and providing expertise and project management. We have a long-term commitment to each of our projects, not only providing volunteers but also financial support to the local communities We work in partnership with the local organisations to continuously understand and priorities the changing needs of the communities and to affect lasting change. The Starfish philosophy rests on the three pillars of commitment, sustainability and responsibility. Commitment to the long-term partnerships with partners and communities, to ethical and responsible travel, and to using best practices methodology. Sustainability in selecting projects, in generating returning customers, and in maintains our reputation. Responsibility to the environment, to the local communities, and to our partners. Quite simply we want to create better places for people to live in, and better places to visit. What we do Starfish Volunteers specialises in supporting development projects in SE Asia through the placement of foreign volunteers, delivering financial aid and providing expertise and project management. We have a long-term commitment to each of our projects, not only providing volunteers but also financial support to achieve particular goals. Starfish works in partnership with the local organisations to continuously understand and prioritise the changing needs of the communities, providing knowledge, volunteers and financial help in tandem to ensure demonstrable, lasting change.

Year Founded

2003