Home / Projects & Destinations / Thailand / Orphanage
| Location | Phang Nga province |
| Start dates | Every week on a Monday, apart from mid-March to end April |
| Duration | 1 - 4 weeks |
| Availability |
Limited availability May - July, spaces available from Sept 2012 |
| Cost |
£475 for the first week Extra weeks = £75 per week |
| Discounts | £35 per person for friends / partners |
We support an orphanage in southern Thailand and by volunteering at this orphanage you will help make a vast difference to the lives of the children who call the orphanage home.
The children of the orphanage share a common life-altering event. The tsunami of 2004 placed them in a position to need a supportive, healthy place to call home. Thanks to the warm hearts and dedicated work of staff and volunteers, the children have a safe, positive environment in which to grow.
The orphanage is located close to some of the most popular areas of southern Thailand. This means you can use your free time to take in some of the beautiful scenery that Thailand has to offer.
Read what past volunteers have said about this project in our Thailand orphanage reviews.
Whether you want to get involved in teaching, art, IT, writing, sewing, landscaping, cooking, or just helping out and interacting with the children; there is a place for you to contribute.
A school day and non-school day offer different opportunities for a volunteer. The children are at school Monday to Friday from about 8am - 3pm. Some volunteers opt to take personal time during the school day and focus their efforts on working when the children are at home. Other volunteers, for example those working on a construction project, may spend the bulk of their work time when the kids are at school.
You can also assist the staff at the orphanage during the day, getting everyone ready for the school run, helping with meals and then interacting with the children after school.
Every day is different as projects come and go, and depending on funds and needs at the time. There is always plenty to do in and around the orphanage even when the children are at school.
The orphanage is located between Phuket and Kuraburi in the Phang Nga province. Despite it's proximity to Phuket (Thailand's largest and most visited island), the orphanage is off the tourist path, giving you a unique insight into the Thai way of life.
The orphanage is well established and you will probably find the kids quite independent but at the same time there is a huge need for and benefit from having international volunteers. The orphanage relies on the help of volunteers and money from private donors and institutional grants. Everyone has a valuable contribution to make and by joining this project you will be helping to support the ongoing running of the orphanage.
Volunteering at the orphanage is a great chance to work with children from all walks of life and is a very special experience. It is also a great way to immerse yourself in and learn about Thai culture.
The following items are not included and estimates are given as a guide for your budgeting: flights (£600-£700), travel insurance, personal spending (£50 per week).
The orphanage currently homes around 25 children, mostly aged from 6 - 15 years old.
The children who live at the orphanage come from many different backgrounds - some lost one or both of their parents during the tsunami, others have been abandoned and instead of living on the streets the children have been taken in and cared for until they finish school.
The orphanage provides a safe place to live in a small secure environment and every child goes to school which is funded by the orphanage which pays their fees and provides books and pens.
The orphanage is also trying to make itself self-sustainable through projects such as making and selling crafts and food.
You will be supported by the very helpful and friendly staff at the orphanage.
The project attracts a range of volunteers from different countries and backgrounds. There are usually 2-4 other volunteers.
Furnished accommodation is provided at the orphanage. The volunteer housing is clean and comfortable. Three meals a day are provided, a great opportunity to try lots of different Thai food!
After dinner it is possible to do some sports, the children love to play games, football is always popular. The children love to have a book read to them, even if it is in another language, they enjoy the personal time you can provide and love looking at the pictures.
The orphanage may also organise trips for the children at the weekends and, as part of the family, you are invited to join them. Volunteers normally work 5 days per week.
The orphanage is located near many captivating places, including Phuket, the Similan Islands, Koh Ra Ecolodge, Koh Surin National Park and Khao Sok National Park so there is a lot of exploration to be done in free time or before or after your volunteer placement.
The staff will do their best to inform you on what’s going on and what is expected of you; however there will be times when you have to use your own initiative to organise activities and locate resources or information. Things may be organised differently from back home and things might not always make sense. You should be open-minded, patient, willing to accept new things and be prepared to get stuck in.
You will need to be able to work well within a team and be adaptable to working and living in a group.
PoD is run as a non-profit organisation and does not receive any external funding. We charge a fee for all our placements to cover the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK. Fee levels are set to match costs (on a non-profit basis) and any surplus monies are distributed to the overseas organisations and charities we work with via the PoD Charity.
For over 10 years PoD has been providing volunteers to help charitable projects around the world. The PoD Charity was established in 2010 to build on this success by also providing financial assistance. Find out more and get involved in fundraising for this project through the PoD Charity.
Becky in the PoD UK team looks after this project so if you apply you will hear from her soon!
 |
Child Care South Africa |
 |
Caribbean Children's Home Belize |
 |
Orphanage and Care Home Vietnam |
 |
All Child Care projects |
We are passionate about volunteering and are dedicated to providing well supported projects where there is genuine 2 way benefit.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the orphanage in Thailand! the children were full of life and laughter and made my experience what it was…all in all a brilliant experience and one that i wont forget!" - Rachel
98% of PoD volunteers rate their experience as good or very good!
Population:
approx 65 million
Capital:
Bangkok
Time zone:
GMT + 7 hrs
Currency:
Baht (THB)
Phone code:
+ 66
Visa:
required for stays of over 30 days
Health & Safety:
click here for the latest UK government travel advice
If you are interested in volunteering as a family we have a range of amazing projects suited for families with children under 18
Home | Useful links | Travel Insurance | News | Sitemap
Follow us
© Personal Overseas Development Ltd 2010. All Rights Reserved
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
FINANCIAL PROTECTION, INSURANCE & ASSOCIATIONS
PoD has a Total Payment Protection Policy (topp) insurance policy to protect all monies that you have paid to PoD in relation to your trip. This meets all EU and UK travel regulations. In the unlikely event of PoD's failure before you travel you would be refunded your money.
PoD has public liability insurance cover of £2 million and chooses to take out additional specialist crisis management insurance. PoD is also a member / partner of:
