Join a community-led rehabilitation project supporting tsunami impacted villages on the West coast of Thailand.

About the project and location

The villages are based in the Phang Nga province in Southern Thailand, a region devastated by the tsunami in 2004.

The tsunami brought great changes, entire villages relocated, livelihoods impacted and loved ones lost. This project has been established as part of the relief programme in Thailand helping local communities to find new income through tourism and other initiatives, while still preserving their culture and traditional way of live.

Despite the region's proximity to the tourist area of Phuket (approx 2.5 hours drive) it is very undeveloped and communities still survive by their traditional livelihoods. The villages are located near the stunning Surin National Park, in a beautiful and culturally diverse area.

In 2006, the project was recognised as one of the top 50 "Trips of a Lifetime" by National Geographic magazine, and in 2007 it won a Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award.

How you will spend your time

Volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved in a range of volunteer activities and the time is structured so that you will get involved in several different activities each day.

Current activities that volunteers help with include:

• Creative workshops with local children
• English practise with local handicraft groups
• Training local guides
  
• Hospitality training for host families
  
• Mangrove reforestation
• Orchid conservation
• Working on community gardens
• Beach clearance and waste management
• Light construction work
• Teaching community aerobics, yoga or your hobby
• Trying out / providing feedback on new tourist activities

The days are structured with a mix of volunteer work and relaxation activities, finishing with a dinner with your host family. It's a very interesting and fun daily schedule and you will really feel part of the local community.

Longer term volunteering options

If you are interested in staying for a month or more, there are also longer term volunteering options including teaching English at a Secondary school or helping with marketing and administration. Please contact us if you are interested.

Accommodation

We arrange a homestay in the village for you. This is an opportunity to experience genuine hospitality, enjoy delicious local food and really get to know the villagers. They are incredibly friendly and welcoming and very interested in visitors. It is very comfortable, clean and safe. Alternatively, independent accommodation can be arranged.

What's included

• A comprehensive information booklet
• Travel advice and assistance prior to departure
• Being met on arrival at Phuket airport (or you can make your own way to the project)
• Accommodation in the village
  
• Meals and refreshments
• All volunteer and relaxation activities
• An introduction to volunteering workshop
• Local guides and translator
• Support from English project co-ordinator
• Contribution to the village Community Fund
  

What's not included

Flights (£400-£500), travel insurance, visa (no cost if staying less than 30 days).

The benefit and requirements

By joining this project you will be directly aiding communities devastated by the tsunami, providing opportunities to the villagers to earn a living and helping to preserve traditional cultures and local ecology.

The majority of the fee you pay goes directly into the project and most of the money goes into a community fund for the villages. This is used for local initiatives such as youth education, reforestation, waste management programmes etc.

The project works very closely with the field staff and villagers to make sure the projects serve a genuine need in the community.

There are no specific requirements for this project, just an open mind and a positive attitude. Families are vey welcome with children of any age.

Next steps and how to apply

Please contact us if you would like to discuss the placement, or go to the how to apply section where you can apply online or download an application form. For views from past volunteers see our testimonials.