Project summary

Volunteer at this orphanage and help make a vast difference to the lives of the children who call the orphanage home.

The children of the orphanage share a common life-altering event. The tsunami of 2004 placed them in a position to need a supportive, healthy place to call home. Thanks to the warm hearts and dedicated work of staff and volunteers, the children have a safe, positive environment in which to grow.

A typical day

Whether you want to get involved in teaching, art, computers, writing, sewing, landscaping, cooking, or just helping out and exchanging with the children, there is a place for you to contribute.

A school day and non-school day offer different opportunities for a volunteer. The children are at school Monday to Friday from about 8am - 3pm. Some volunteers opt to take personal time during the school day and focus their efforts on working when the children are at home. Other volunteers, for example those working on a construction project, may spend the bulk of their work time when the kids are at school.

You can also assist the orphanage staff during the day, getting everyone ready for the school run, helping with meals and then exchanging with the children after school.

Every day is different as projects come and go, and depending on funds and needs at the time.  There is always plenty to do in and around the orphanage even when the children are at school.

The location

The orphanage is located between Phuket and Takua Pa in the Phang Nga province. Despite its proximity to Phuket (Thailand's largest and most popular tourist island), the orphanage is off the tourist path, giving you a unique insight into the Thai way of life.

How you can make a difference 

This orphanage relies on the help of volunteers and money from private donors and institutional grants. Everyone has a valuable contribution to make and by joining this project you will be helping to support the ongoing running of the orphanage.

Volunteering at the orphanage is a great chance to work with children from all walks of life and is a very special experience. It is also a great way to immerse yourself in and learn about Thai culture.

What's included

• A comprehensive information booklet and pre-departure support
• Travel advice and assistance
• Being picked up from Phuket airport and transfer to the project
  
• Accommodation (shared room)
• 3 main meals each day
  
• Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team
• Donation to the orphanage and support of other local projects
  

What else to budget for

The following items are not included and estimates are given as a guide for your budgeting: flights (£450-£600), visa (free if staying less than 30 days), travel insurance, personal spending / living costs (£50 per week).

Other projects you might also be interested in....

* Orphanage in Cambodia

* Street children and orphan schools in Vietnam

* Child care & teaching in Nepal

* Orphanages & care homes in Peru

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More details

Background information about the project

The orphanage currently homes around 25 children, mostly aged from 6 - 15 years old.

Not all children at the orphanage are without parents, some children may still have one or both parents still alive, but for reasons of unemployment, remarriage or being neglected in the home and unable to care for the child, the orphanage provides a safe place to live in a small secure environment.

Every child goes to school, funded by the orphanage which pays their fees and provides books and pens.  The orphanage teaches them about life too, with lessons after school - English and other subjects like finance, cleaning and how to cook for themselves. Meditation is also practiced once a week and even the youngest children are encouraged to join in and learn to about Buddhism and self control. There are also more fun subjects for the children like Thai dancing and of course lots of game playing.

The founder of the orphanage is trying to make the children’s home self-sustainable through projects such as making and selling crafts and food.

Volunteer accommodation and food

Furnished accommodation is provided at the orphanage. The volunteer housing is clean and comfortable. 3 meals at day are provided at the orphanage, a great opportunity to try lots of different Thai food!

Freetime and travel opportunities

After dinner it is possible to do some sports at the orphanage, the children love to play games, football is always popular. The children love to have a book read to them, even if it is in another language, they enjoy the personal time you can provide and love looking at the pictures. There is also a Television and DVD player in the main hall, the children like to watch a movie in the evening which you are welcome to watch as well.

The orphanage usually organises trips for the children at the weekends and, as part of the family, you are invited to join with them.

For independent travel, Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most popular island with tourists and you are around 40km away from there. There are plenty of beaches to choose from and it's a great place to go at the weekend.  The orphanage is also near many other captivating places, including the Similan Islands, Koh Ra Ecolodge, Koh Surin National Park and Khao Sok National Park.

Challenges

The staff will do their best to inform you on what’s going on and what is expected of you, however there will be times when you have to use your own initiative to organise activities, locate resources or information. Things may be organised differently from back home and things might not always make sense. You should be open-minded, patient, willing to accept new things and be prepared to get stuck in.

Where does your money go

PoD is run as a non-profit organisation and does not receive any external funding. We charge a fee for all our placements to cover the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK. 

For this project approximately 70% of the fee you pay is passed to Thailand and part of the fee is a direct donation to the orphanage.