Volunteer in Thailand
At the moment we have openings for two very different volunteer positions:
1. We are looking for people to help with the construction of our clinic and girls’ dormitory. This will be long and physically demanding work, but well worth it! For this position we will need about 3 people, coming to stay for approximately 2-3 months. Someone specializing in electrical work would be extremely helpful.
2. Volunteer from home! We are seeking individuals that are willing to do research for us for funding (mostly for our Vaccination Program, scheduled for January 2009) This position can be done from your own home, or if you are interested in visiting, you can do it from here as well! Your duties will include, but are not restricted to: Finding organizations willing to donate to our medical project, filling out funding applications on behalf of our home, getting the word out about the Vaccination Program and making people aware of its urgency, approaching individuals and companies who may be willing to donate.
All of our positions are open until March, at which time we will be putting the volunteer program on hold during the kid’s summer vacation.
If you are interested in either of these positions, please fill out an application form (see link below) and make sure to tell us which positions interests you!
Also, please think about your motivation for volunteering. Remember that volunteering with us is not a holiday. Often the work is labor intensive with long hours, but it is always worth it in the end. It can also be stressful for some people to live in such a remote area, so take this into account as well.
If you are interested in volunteering, please read the description below and complete the Baan Dada volunteer application below.
Baan Dada provides an ideal field for learning and exchange for volunteers. The basic atmosphere is a holistic lifestyle, with regular yoga and meditation practices (which you can join if you like), vegetarian meals and dedication to the service of others.
Volunteers are expected to help with the daily chores at the home. There are many children who haven’t yet reached schooling age. Volunteers can help by organising activities for them. You can teach English, arts and crafts or any other skills you have. Volunteers can also help the younger children during meal time and with preparation of the food.
There are always many other jobs to do from building, farming, tutoring, driving, administration work in the office, help with fund raising or helping to support the many community projects Baan Dada is involved with. The volunteers can also greatly contribute in their own ways and enhance the progress and development of projects. Volunteers are welcome throughout the year. Read more here about a typical day at Baan Dada.
Baan Dada offers food and accommodation and asks for a small contribution of 400-600 baht per day on a sliding scale (about 11-20 USD) for the supplied food, accommodation, and extra wages for the Mothers, so that the fnancial resources of the Home goes strictly towards the maintenance of the Home. (We have recently increased the amount of the contribution to account for the soaring food costs in the region - rice alone has tripled in price in the last 2 months).
Sliding Scale: We ask people to pay what they can as over half the operating budget of the Children’s Home comes from volunteer donations. However, generally, students tend to pay closer to the lower end of the scale and people working full-time jobs tend toward the higher end. As well, people staying longer than 2 weeks are eligible for the lower rates, while people staying less than 2 weeks are asked to pay a minimum of 500 baht/day.
It is recommended by doctors at the local hospital that you should use a anti-malarial prophylactic - Doxycyclin or Malarone is currently recommended. Please consult your physician for up to date advice. Notice this drug is readily available here for a fraction of the price you may pay in your home country.
The volunteers will be communicating with a mentor at the project who will oversee the needs and work of the volunteer. If you are interested and able to volunteer time from your own country, we have many things you may be able to help us with. Please contact us for details
The project is free of drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
Volunteers will be responsible for their own return ticket, own health insurance, if they so desire, and visa arrangements. They are expected to respect the local cultural norms and holistic lifestyle at the project.
Please make sure to make arrangements with us prior to arrival so we can make sure there is a bed available!!