Sample Volunteer Abroad Projects — Thailand
Discover Thailand by getting involved in the community and lending a hand to those in need. Volunteerism in Thailand, especially in the north, focuses on disadvantaged groups like Burmese refugees children, intellectually and physically disabled persons of all ages, and former sex workers. Cultural Canvas Thailand (CCT), and it’s artistic outreach program, Art Relief International (ARI), works with these groups to provide meaningful workshops through art therapy and community assistance. Click on our projects below:
Arts - Education - Social Welfare -
Health Services - Animal Rescue
Arts
Art Relief International
Art Relief International provides a voice for individuals by exploring various creative means, including visual, performance and experimental arts. Art Relief International volunteers can expect to play a large role in many projects. The art program offers art therapy to a diversity of groups which focus on various social issues. Volunteers have an opportunity to work with Burmese refugees, indigenous hill tribes groups, single mothers, disabled children and adults and children from a local orphanage... This opportunity is ideal for someone who likes to be involved in numerous projects and can work independently as well as with a group. There are opportunities to work with other local artists on projects as well as design and implement your own creative visions.
Education
Teaching English
Through coordination with the Stratton ABC Foundation, a home and center for underprivileged children from northern Thai provinces, CCT is currently offering placements to volunteer in two elementary schools in Chiang Mai. Volunteers assist Thai teachers in English language instruction to children ages 9 -12. Volunteers also go to teach English at Wat Pa Pao, a a foundation established to conserve Shan culture.
Burmese Education Program
Volunteers who choose this program will be working either at Thai freedom house or at the Chiang Mai Migrant Learner Center. Thai Freedom House is a community learning center providing basic education (English, Thai…) to Burmese refugees escaping severe human rights violations. At the Chiang Mai Migrant Learner Center volunteers work as part of a team to provide training in Thai, English, and Burmese languages, as well as computer skills.
Social Welfare
Hill Tribe Assistance Program
Volunteers might help out at Thai Freedom House, which is located in central Chiang Mai. The organization owns a vegetarian café as well as a small pre-loved clothing shop. Volunteers working at Thai Freedom House will gain a wide variety of experiences, like teaching ESL, administrative work, and helping out in the café and shop. Another possible placement to help hill tribe people is Wat Pa Pao, a foundation established to conserve Shan culture. There, volunteers teach English to both children and adults.
Single Mothers' Empowerment
Wildflower Home provides safe shelter, education, health, and other services to young single mothers who are pregnant or have young children in order to help them achieve self-efficiency. Volunteers help out in the following areas: English instruction, gardening and sustainable agriculture, and fundraising and grantwriting.
Health Services
Cerebral Palsy Assistance
Baan Piranan seeks general caregivers, occupational and physical therapists to assist in its new resident home for children with cerebral palsy. In addition to their disability these children have been neglected and need the help of the volunteers.
MSM and HIV/AIDS Outreach
Mplus focuses primarily on sexual health for men who have sex with men (MSM), have been sex workers or are transgenders. Volunteers will assist with Mplus activities, including workshops, English education and programs with local schools - informing students about safe sex and stigmas against sexual minorities.
Animal Rescue
Street Dog Rescue
The Care for Dogs Foundation runs several programs providing assistance to the numerous homeless dogs and cats in Chiang Mai. Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in several aspects of animal rescue, recovery and care.
