Dates
IHF Indonesia accept volunteers into its programs year-round | Apply here
Overview
IHF’s has been working with vulnerable and displaced children in Thailand since 1984. Based in the City of Chiang Rai in North Thailand it is close to the borders of both Myanmar and Laos, IHF manages a children’s home, child education and community development programs. This is a unique opportunity to stay and work with the indigenous Hill Tribes in Chiang Rai, Thailand We see our centre not just as a home for our children, but as a focal point for the community where local people and volunteers from across the world can combined and shared their knowledge to improve the lives of the children we serve, their families and the community in general. Volunteers who sign up to be a part of our Thailand project make a very real impact during their stay at the home participating in any or all the following local tasks:
Make a real impact by helping IHF to rebuild its safe home providing children with access to quality education.
Work with our Directors and learn practical skills by helping to repair and renovate our children’s home, we are renovating the buildings, so we might house more children at the home soon.
Spend time with the children at the centre, eating together and organizing games and activities for them at the weekends
Helping out at mealtimes
Helping the children with their English studies and other homework where possible
A guide to local tourist attractions in and around Chiang Rai city and province, experience Chiang Rai’s Temple’s, Bazaars, wildlife and areas of breath-taking natural beauty, check out our Chiang Rai Tourism guide.
A chance to visit and learn about the communities our children are from and to travel with them to their tribal villages learning about their way of life and how these are affected by Thailand’s development
Help IHF Thailand to fundraise both locally and internationally for the benefit of the home
A chance to organize or help to run the centers permanent or semi-permanent community projects
Our Thailand centre currently needs some renovations having housed 28 children up until early 2017, these children have grown-up together, graduated and we now concentrating on preparing the centre for the next generation of children. Your volunteer fees will be used to cover the fixed costs of running the centre and to purchase materials for the repairs. Once volunteers arrive at the centre they will work alongside experienced trades persons who will instruct them in how to complete the basic repair tasks we want to do. Don’t worry if you have no experience we will train you in everything you need to know, if you already have building experience let us know and we will try to plan appropriate repairs for the duration of your stay.
Eligibility
IHF is looking for volunteers who can commit to a minimum of two weeks to our Legacy Program. Volunteers interested in this program have several options:
You can volunteer for up to 4 hours each day helping with any of the local tasks above. The rest of your time is free for you to explore the incredible surroundings of our centre.
Add value to our NGO by volunteering for an additional 4 hours each day by working for one of our online teams, gaining practical experience in an NGO environment, certification on completion of your stay and a letter of recommendation upon request you could also get 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.
Do you have any special skills or training which would be useful to the centre, the community or the people we support? Let our Volunteer Team know, we have adjustable rates for volunteers willing to run professional legacy projects.
Volunteers accepted to this program will have: confidence using the English language, deep empathy for impoverished children and their communities, and a commitment to our Core Values. Previous international travel and volunteer experiences are a plus.
Program Cost
Volunteers in our Legacy Volunteer Program pay a weekly fee of $200 USD. Accommodation and meals, prepared by a local member of staff, are included in this program. All program fees go towards supporting our centers, running our programs and caring for our children. You’ll have a fabulous tourism experience whilst ensuring your money is supporting a wonderful cause you’ll get to see with your own eyes.
Not included are your travel costs to and from your chosen Center, initial visa fees, immunizations, travel insurance, and any spending money you wish to bring with you.
Note: due to the nature of our work with children, should your application be accepted we do require a criminal background check which is less than 1 year old.
Benefits
In addition to making a notable difference in the lives of children, you will have plenty of time to explore the natural beauty of Indonesia.
Make a difference in the lives of impoverished children
Enhance your CV with international experience
Immerse yourself in Thai culture
Explore Chiang Rai and its surrounding National Parks
Gain international experience
Join a global network of IHF volunteers and alumni, make life-long friendships
Leave a Legacy by adding value to our center with your knowledge, skills and expertise help us to creating something that will give access to education to a new generation of children for the next decade
Deadline
IHF accepts Legacy volunteer applications on a rolling basis | Apply here
To see what other volunteer opportunities we offer | Click here
