Thailand Building Volunteers

While this project often helps with numerous building sites around Sangkhlaburi depending on the needs of the community, in 2012 there will be real focus on one particular development; the construction of a children’s home and an educational centre.

Sangkhlaburi is a cooking pot of different ethnic minorities such as Hill tribes and Burmese refugees that do not have official Thai status and therefore do not have any Thai rights. This has lead the people in these minorities to being susceptible to human traffickers and this is where the children’s home helps to provide a safe haven for the young children.

The existing children`s home is a small 3 bedroom house that currently has 37 children staying in it. As you will imagine this is leads to extremely cramped living conditions! The staff at the home have provided these children with the best care they can with the conditions they have been working in, giving them the care and attention that they would otherwise not receive.

Land has now been purchased where a new children`s home is to be built starting in January 2012 giving volunteers a chance to really get involved. The project aims to build a children’s home that will help to improve the living conditions of these children, mean that the home can help more children in the area. The project is also planning to build an educational centre so that not only are these children receiving care and attention but also an education to help given them a brighter start in life. 

At the building project there will be various activities for you to get involved in and depending on the time that you arrive you will getting your hands dirty digging the foundations, clearing land, putting up walls, painting, hygiene maintenance such as running water, toilets and washing facilities to creating gardens and play areas.

Please note that individual activities may be affected each month depending on factors such as numbers of volunteers, time of year (as the site will develop over the year), weather so please be flexible - just be ready to get your hands dirty and get involved in whatever needs doing as any contribution you make to this development will be greatly appreciated by both the staff at the home and more importantly the children that live there!

Monday to Thursday you will be helping on site from 8am in the morning till mid afternoon. You will be picked up from your accommodation in the morning and taken to the project and then taken back to your accommodation after you finish. Throughout you days on the project there will be a project coordinator to answer any questions that you may have.

Day 1
Welcome to Thailand! You will be met at the airport by one of our great in-country team and taken to your accommodation where you’ll be staying for your first two nights in this beautiful country. In the evening its time to get your first taste of Bangkok and get to know the people on the project with you so what better way to do this than grab a couple of drinks on the famous Khao San Road.

Day 2
Today you will start the day with a tour of Bangkok where you will have the chance to see some of this stunning city’s highlights. Once you have seen a bit more of what this bustling city has to offer you will have a chance to get to know your fellow volunteers over a welcome meal and one of the in-country team will talk you through your volunteer schedule.

Day 3
Now it’s time to leave the city behind you and travel onto Sangkhlaburi by train which will take approximately 7 hours, perfect time to chat with your fellow volunteers and marvel at Thailand’s stunning landscapes. Once you arrive into Sangkhlaburi you will be get the opportunity to settle into the volunteer house where you will be staying during the project, before sitting down for your meal and an orientation meeting which will tell you all about your stay.

During this meeting you the team will cover important information such as what it’s going to be like at your project, do`s and don’ts, fun things to do in Thailand, information about Thailand’s history and culture, and how to stay safe on your trip. This is your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven’t yet had answered and to meet your fellow volunteers!

Day 4
Today you will be able to experience traditional Thai Culture as you visit one of the nearby temples where you will have the opportunity of giving alms to monks, followed by a welcome ceremony at the temple where a blessing, bracelet and holy water will be given, a great way to see the real Thailand.

Following this you will be introduced to the staff at the project and get some idea of the activities that you will be involved in.  

Day 5 to 8
Today will be the first day for to get stuck into the project work and get your hands dirty! Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience in work like this, the project team will be on site to help and direct you. The main thing that is needed is your help, energy, determination and enthusiasm!

Day 9 to 10
The start of a two day weekend begins. Perfect for those who need to rest their muscles after all the great work at the project and for those who want to explore the area. The weekend is free time to do as you please.

Following weeks
Over the following weeks (depending on the duration you choose) you will continue with your project work Monday to Friday and begin to see the massive impact and improvements that you have made. You will also continue to have free time in the evenings and on weekends each week to relax or explore.

Your last day
It is time to say goodbye to all the friends you have made on the project and in Sangkhlaburi before you travel back to the airport, or off for further adventures elsewhere. The return transfer from your accommodation to Bangkok is not included in the price, however the in-country team will be able to make recommendations and help you arrange a transfer if you need them to. There is usually a train that leaves Sangkhlaburi at 8am and arrives in Bangkok at around 3pm although you may wish to leave day early if you are flying on the Friday.