Location
Singburi is an interesting and beautiful town located 142 km north of Bangkok. Singburi was founded in pre-historical period during the reign of King Rama V through consolidation of 3 small towns located on the bank of The Chao Phraya River north of Ang Thong.
About the project
This orphanage program is set up with Thailand's leading volunteer organization. Over the years, this program has successfully placed volunteers from around the world with orphanages in the Singburi region. The orphanages involved have integrated their own primary and secondary schools that are also open for impoverished families. Besides teaching English on a non-formal basis the volunteers are able to work with the children in their vegetable garden (for their own consumption) and to create activities for the students or arrange workshops for cultural exchange, environmental and other important issues. Renovation and construction task are also carried out to improve the living conditions. In cooperation with our full time coordinator a unique work program is created each month for all people who are involved in this initiative.
Project structure
- Week 1 (optional): introduction and volunteer orientation
- Week 1 or 2+: orphanage volunteer placement, easily extendable
- Last week (optional): Eco-adventure trips to wonderful sites in Thailand
Week 1: Thai culture orientation week (optional)
The Orientation Week is the first stage for a great stay in a new country! It's an action packed and fun filled week. During this time, volunteers will engage in the following activities: learn about the Thai culture, Thai language and cooking lessons, visit the famous Buddhist Temple: Wat Phranon Jaksi, the old capital of Ayutthaya (including visit to the elephant village), Lopburi's museum and pagoda, and a cruise along the Chaopraya river.
Week 1 or 2+: orphanage volunteer placement
As a volunteer you will assigned various tasks and responsibilities at a local orphanages:
- Informal teaching and assisting with school work
- After school activities such as sports, arts workshops and games
- Organic gardening
- Initiating special environmental awareness campaigns like Clean up the Orphanage
- Maintenance of the orphanage buildings and grounds.
- Renovation and light construction projects
The coordinator oversees the logistics and daily activities. Every day volunteers usually leave the center after breakfast around 9:00 in the morning for the orphanage and leave late midday back to our base camp again. The orphanages are located 40km from the volunteer campus and local transportation is provided. The local teachers are typically Thai and there is one teacher who's English is fairly well. Weekends are usually off for traveling or just relaxing at the campus.
Accommodation & food
Volunteers stay on a beautiful eco campus about 10 km (15 Min) from the town of Singburi. Accommodation will be in comfortable double rooms for the same gender, with fans, linen, shared toilets and bathroom.The doors and windows are screened (to protect you from mosquitoes). There is a communal area where you can eat, relax, meet and are within walking distance of a local shop and a make shift bar provided by the friendly locals. Lockers for valuables and limited laundry services are available.
3 cook meals are provided daily and are typical Thai fare, including plenty of rice dishes.
Last week: Eco-adventure trips (optional)
Here are some of the exciting options available which you may choose after reserving your volunteer placement.
Thai Boxing
The boxing program is the perfect way to learn either the art of Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) or advance Muay Thai skills in the country of the sports' origin. Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing as it's known in the West, is the national sport in Thailand and one of the most popular forms of martial arts in South East Asia. Known as the "art of the eight limbs", this sport teaches combat techniques, using 8 different points of contact on the body - feet, knees, elbows and hands. It is one of the most physical martial arts; but also one of the most exclusive.
Extra fee: $160 / €125 per week
Thai Culture
During this week, further cultural immersion is experienced with a focus on a special side of traditional Thai culture: Enlightening sessions on buddhism, a deeply powerful influence on Thai culture, will be presented. Later we visit a monastery and are able to ask questions to a highly respected Monk in Thailand. We have the opportunity to stay in an authentic temple and experience firsthand the life of the monks. Of course, meditation is part of the daily routine of monks. Later during this week, we will visit a village, a traditional Thai pottery factory and various other locals handicrafts and community produce.
Extra fee: $160 / €125 per week
Jungle Trekking
During this program, we will be trekking in the jungle & rain forest of the Phutoei National Park, a lush park that is not a usual tourist destination. This week also gives us the chance to experience the lifestyle of a hill tribe in a nearby village. This week ends with a night in a real bed at a local hotel in Suphanburi province. This will be a unique experience. We will be roughing it in beautiful surroundings, surviving with the basics, whilst at the same time having a lot of fun. The guides are very friendly and it will be a great experience.
Extra fee: $320 / €250 per week
Tropical Beach
It is well known that Thailand has the perfect conditions for a great time at the beach. The beaches in Thailand are beautiful and, on top of that, the weather is great. During this week, we will enjoy one of the finest beaches in the Gulf of Thailand, with free time for relaxing, reading, snorkeling and swimming.
Extra fee: $320 / €250 per week
Minimum requirements
- Min age 17
- Good level of English
- Motivation to work with children and meet new cultures
- Able to work in hot and humid climate
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)