Thailand is bursting at the seams with golden volunteer opportunities. After all, who wouldn't want to donate their time to a worthy cause while enjoying the cultural goodness and stunning nature in the land of smiles?
Orphanages, elephants, stray dogs, stray cats, conservation, construction...sifting through the multitude of volunteer programs can get a bit overwhelming, especially when you discover that the program located in the heart of the jungle with a wild beach and baby elephants actually charges you money to volunteer your time...a lot of money. Or, perhaps you're passing through and want to help out, but can't commit to a specified minimum stay, as some require. Paying your way to a coveted spot in a popular volunteer program isn't uncommon. You may think, "Why am I paying $300 to work," but most of the time, this money helps keep these organizations afloat and pays the salaries of local workers who barely make a living.
If you seek flexible volunteer options with no strings attached, they are most certainly out there and in dire need of volunteers, but they may not be in well-developed parts of Thailand, and you might witness some graphic, heart wrenching scenarios. Alas, under all the palm trees, modern cities and glitzy beach resorts, poverty-stricken villages do exist.
You'll discover the struggling underbelly of hill tribe orphanages, shelters packed with skin and bone street dogs, pristine ecosystems slowly disintegrating due to unsustainable practices or meet refugees and victims of human trafficking and migrant exploitation.
Perhaps you'll have to go without air con in the sweltering heat, master the squat toilet and there's a slight chance you might contract malaria...but is that a bad thing? Ok, so maybe contracting malaria sucks a little bit...but, a volunteer experience is more than just tying a bandana around your forehead and taking pictures with a bunch of stinking cute, toothless kids or riding an elephant into the insta-perfect-sunset.
Going head on with the destitute who claw for survival while the rest of the world moves blindly past, is a shock. Seeing a dirty child, ragged tee shirt hanging from her frail body standing next to her begging mother, is a shock. Dogs so malnourished they struggle to stand while foam and drool spills from their mouths, is a shock.
No doubt, Thailand is a paradise, but there are still areas that need attention. Grab a bus to the middle of nowhere, get shocked, shed a tear and then become not a volunteer, but a warrior making a difference for future generations, touching lives and conserving this natural paradise that attracts and captivates millions.
Baan Dek Dee Orphanage
Because they lack the proper resources and space, Baan Dek Dee fails to meet the government requirements to qualify as an orphanage, so they receive zero financial backing, relying solely on donations to survive. Despite some major challenges, the home's founder, Manop, perseveres to give Thailand hill tribe orphans food, shelter and most importantly, the opportunity to study at school.
Located in the sprawling north Thailand mountains, their property is quaint, managing to squeeze 30 children into two bedrooms with stacked dorm beds. You can read more about the day in the life of a Baan Dek Dee Orphan here. Life is simple and quiet for the children, who have ended up in the orphanage due to poverty, parents suffering from addiction or death. Still, when they aren't studying, the kiddos delight in small gestures of kindness; the donation of snacks or toys or the rare visit from a stranger, even if it's just for a couple of hours, puts a lasting smile on their tiny faces.
Bring the Elephant Home
There are numerous elephant focused organizations and sanctuaries in Thailand where you can get up close and personal with the Asian elephant, a highly revered creature in Thailand. Many sanctuaries provide a safe house for rescued elephants. Bring the Elephant Home (BTEH), a non governmental organization, focuses on the survival of the wild elephant population in Thailand, whose numbers are shrinking due to deforestation, lack of food and human-elephant conflict.
BTEH offers some unique programs and several volunteer options, such as their efficient and eco-friendly honey bee fencing program. It's fun to roll around with a baby elephant and help bath them at a sanctuary, but while captive elephants do need care, those surviving in the wild are also in need of support to avoid extinction in a rapidly developing country.
Care for Dogs Foundation
Stray dogs in Thailand and Southeast Asia in general are a common sight. These street pups are subject to starvation and death from diseases or risk getting hit by cars. Care for Dogs not only loves on these neglected souls, but they work to improve the several underlying issues that stimulate the the never-ending, vicious cycle of street dog life. Reducing overpopulation by sterilization, running a rescue center, administering medical attention and fighting the dog meat trade are all on the Care for Dogs radar. Attn dog lovers: Care for Dogs offers some flexible volunteer options, whether you are an expat that wants to help out regularly or even just traveling through and have some time to spare.
We Women
Step up to the plate and promote the empowerment of Burmese women, who have escaped their homeland, where women are placed in a disadvantaged position when it comes to politics, business and education. We Women is based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, assisting women who suffered and fled Myanmar in search of opportunities to support themselves and their families. By providing scholarships, business training and vital networking, these women are given a fresh start at an independent life, with the necessary education and skills to pursue their dreams and empower other women in their communities. But most of all, they discover confidence, passion and purpose in themselves. Volunteers from all corners of the world are welcome to join, with a diverse array of skill sets needed for a plethora of available projects.