Empowering Women Volunteer Program - Thailand

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: On-going

Description: Cultural Canvas Thailand places volunteers at the Chiang Mai Buddhakasetra Foundation (CMBF), a school and boarding house for hill tribes girls. The girls come from single-parent or extremely poor homes. The staff at Buddhakasetra reach out to girls who are about to drop out of school due to circumstances mentioned above. They are offered housing, food, non-formal education (following the standard Thai high school curriculum), and vocational training, such as massage therapy and sewing. In exchange, they are required to help in maintaining the Foundation. They plant, cook, clean, and clear the woods to prevent frequent forest fires during summertime.

Volunteers are expected to help at the school by teaching English. In addition, volunteers can create workshops and classes to teach art, dance, yoga, science, or anything in between. Confidence-building activities are encouraged. A go-with-the-flow attitude and flexibility are a must for this placement.

Highlights: All of Cultural Canvas Thailand's volunteer placements deal with social issues such as discrimination and the abuse of basic human rights. You will be learning about the lives of people from another culture and the problems they face such as poverty, hunger, disease, prejudice and many others. You will build relationships and gain an understanding of the issues confronting Thailand and many other parts of the world.

Qualifications: We welcome service from all walks of life and levels of experience. No specific training is required but becoming acquainted with the issues pertaining to your placement prior to arrival in Chiang Mai is a good idea. If you have an interest or background in a related area, for example we are always interested in people with an art background for our Canvas program, that is a double bonus for us.

Volunteers should be self-motivated, patient, team-oriented, compassionate, independent and respectful. Remember that the issues you will be dealing can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Please read carefully through our website to be sure that you are up to the task.

Cost in US$: Costs vary according to program length

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Cultural Canvas Thailand's Mission Statement: The mission of Cultural Canvas Thailand is to generate awareness and volunteer support of the current social issues facing Chiang Mai, Thailand. We promote equality, community interaction, and social change through artistic outreach and volunteer services in conjunction with local organizations. Culural Canvas Thailand and our partner organizations focus on education and assistance in the following areas: HIV/AIDS, refugees, impoverished ethnic minorities, and sex workers.

Year Founded: 2005