Location:

Chiang Rai, Thailand

Program Type:

Volunteer Abroad

Degree Level:

Graduate

Work Types:

Education

Duration:

4-6 months

Program Overview

Program Description:

Location

The city of Chiang Rai is located inside the Golden Triangle, the meeting point of the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, an ancient center of trade and rich cultural history.  In a mountainous region filled with lush dense jungles, and breathtaking waterfalls you will have the exclusive opportunity to work and live in this diverse and captivating region. Chiang Rai is unique as its population is made up of people from various ethnic backgrounds and is heavily influenced by the culture of the remote hill tribes who populate the province.

Overview

IHF has been operating it’s Center in Chiang Rai, Thailand since 2004 and has been working in some capacity with the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand since 1984, providing providing a safe home for children of these marginalised stateless communities and enabling them to access free high quality education and medical care. Volunteers who sign up to donate their time at our IHF Thailand Center make a very real impact during their stay participating in any or all of the following local tasks:

• Provide hands on help with the Center's day-to-day operations

• Participate in a cultural exchange, organizing special games and activities with our children

• Supplement our children’s education by joining in with our evening English studies

• Help us to complete much needed repair/renovation projects around our center including but not limited to

  • Fresh paint in the children’s playroom, main foyer/living space, and two bedrooms. Volunteers are welcome to help select colors and create unique designs

  • Fixing up our guest house for future volunteers. Create a space you would love to stay in! This project includes a fresh coat of paint (inside and out), basic repairs, general cleaning, and the opportunity to furnish the space within an approved budget

  • Establish a vegetable garden, trim trees on the property, and complete general yard work such as weeding

Benefits

In addition to making a notable difference in the lives of children, you will:

• Enhance your CV with international experience

• Explore the natural beauty of Thailand

• Immerse yourself in local culture

• Join a global network of IHF volunteers and alumni

• Leave a Legacy by adding value to our center with your knowledge, skills and experience

Spend your free time exploring the historic region and its breathtaking natural wonders; for more information on what the location has to offer please explore our Thailand Tourism Guide.

Eligibility

IHF is looking for volunteers who can commit at least two (2) weeks to our Legacy Program. Volunteers accepted to this program will have:

• Confidence using the English language (both spoken and written)

• An open-mind, with an interest in learning not just about the community, but from the community

• Deep empathy for impoverished children and their communities

• A commitment to our Core Values.

Previous international travel and volunteer experience is a plus.

Note: Volunteers need no prior experience in the NGO field, but do need to have, patience, kindness, and a love of children. We provide all the necessary training, background, and supplies necessary for you to have meaningful interactions with the children and wider community.

Program Options

Volunteers interested in this program have several options:

Legacy Traveler- You can volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours each day helping out with any of the local tasks above. The rest of your time is free to explore the incredible surroundings of our center.

Legacy Volunteer- Add value to our NGO by volunteering for an additional 4 hours each day by working for one of our online teams and gaining practical experience in an NGO environment. IHF has no centralised administrative offices and so relies on volunteers coming to our centers to help manage and support our international activities.You will receive a certification on completion of your program, a letter of recommendation upon request, and qualify for a discounted rate for your stay. This role requires volunteers agree to make additional commitments for the duration of their stay and will have less time for tourism and personal activities. It is best suited to volunteers interested in gaining practical experience working for an International NGO.

Legacy Specialist- Do you have any special skills or training which would be useful to the center, the community or the people we support? IHF is constantly looking for volunteers with expertise in medicine, engineering, construction etc; contact our volunteer team or visit the specialty volunteer page of our website here for more information. We have adjustable rates for volunteers willing to run professional legacy projects.

At-Home Volunteers- Not sure if you are ready to travel and live as a volunteer at one of our centers? No problem! IHF is searching for At-Home Volunteers to support our mission remotely by committing 2-3 hours per week from their homes around the world. An At-Home volunteer should have access to a dependable computer, wifi connection, and experience with Google Suites applications is a plus.

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

No