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For those of you looking for a little more out of life, an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and really challenge your ability, then a spell volunteering in rural Thailand with some of their poorest communities could be just what you're looking for.Fernthai Volunteer Foundation was founded in Thailand following local requests to encourage foreign cultural exchange into this relatively undiscovered, and little changed community. We give global volunteers the opportunity to live and work alongside rural communities and experience a way of life they would probably otherwise, not get to see.
It is vitally important to understand though, that we do not exist to serve as a sight seeing or tourist holiday type operation. Our sole aim is to help the people we live alongside. We are here to help with their needs, not to create our own just to fuel an existence. Volunteering Today For A Brighter Tomorrow
So What Happens Next
With our brand new website we've tried to simplify the entire process of volunteering abroad - with ex-volunteers at the helm of Fernthai Volunteer Foundation we know first hand just how daunting the process can first appear.
On arrival at www.fernthai.org you were presented with our simple 3 step sign up process. If you haven't completed this process yet please use the link to do so.
Step 1 send us your e-mail so we can keep in contact and guide you through the process.
Step 2 download our handy essential guide to volunteering brochure for reference.
Step 3 fill out our on-line application form.
Having completed the initial application process your details are sent to our UK partner, Voluntary Projects Overseas. A £50 / €70 / $100 deposit will be requested by Nick, an extremely experienced ex volunteer and Director of VPO. Fernthai Volunteer Foundation is a Child Safe and Child Friendly Organisation. We have adopted a Child Protection Policy(CPP) as sanctioned by Childwise, Australia and in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of all children. ALL staff, team members, sub contractors and volunteers must agree to and abide by the CPP and our Code of Conduct (CoD) at all times and all volunteers must agree to undertake a full CRB police check (Criminal Records Bureau). Due to the nature of our work and contact with children this is an essential process. As soon as your screening is approved we will e-mail to confirm your placement.
Your outstanding balance must be paid at least 1 month prior to the start of your program.
Having attained your placement confirmation the next 4 things you will need to arrange prior to your departure are Your return flight booking Your visa Your travel insurance and Your medical consultation. For more in-depth details consult our Preparation Checklist and Medical Advice sections.
We're hoping our new volunteers will take full advantage of our bespoke fundraising pages. Not only will you have the opportunity to raise a little extra for the people we help, you could also raise funds towards the expense of your own trip. Full details can be found at our Bespoke Fundraising page. We'd also like our volunteers to take full opportunity of our brand new "in-house" blog section. Keeping an account of your pre, during, and after volunteering experiences will serve as a great reference for all potential new volunteers. Upon placement confirmation we'll send you your unique blog login and password.
Having said goodbye to your loved ones and arrived at Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) your volunteer experience really begins. Our "essential guide to volunteering" will give you detailed information to put your mind at ease on your next step. All volunteers must arrive in Bangkok at least 1 to 2 days prior to the 1st/16th of the month of their chosen program date as these are the only 2 dates we can offer escorted travel to the camp. Having arrived we recommend new volunteers take an easily available taxi ride from the airport to the famous Khoa San Road - the home of tourists in Bangkok and the perfect place to get to grips with your first taste of Thailand. Hotels and guest houses are extremely reasonably priced and English is widely spoken throughout the area. This will also give you a chance to unwind after what is usually a long flight.
Once in Bangkok (ideally Khoa San Road) our program coordinator will contact you to arrange to meet. Again our essential guide will give you lots of information about mobile phones/communication in Thailand. From there you will be escorted to the Moa-Chit central bus station where we will help you purchase your $15 overnight bus ticket so we can all travel together to the home of Fernthai Volunteer Foundation - Baan Nakhor T. Naam Thaeng A. Sri Muang Mai J. Ubon Ratchathani 34250 Thailand.
Having arrived at the village we give all of our volunteers the first day to accustom to their new surroundings. From Monday to Friday your volunteering projects will begin encompassing educational, environmental, development & agricultural volunteering as community needs dictate. Any weekday free time will be used for your own cultural immersion, thai lessons, cooking lessons, temple visit etc. and English Lesson planning. For more detailed project info see our Projects section. Weekends are set aside for volunteers to catch up on their personal needs, washing, shopping etc. The local Forest Rangers will also on occasion escort on us local sight seeing trips to the nearby Mighty Mekong River, selection of waterfalls and beautiful Pha Taem park.
Sadly when your volunteering experience does come to end we will again either escort you back to Bangkok on the 13th or 29th of the month respectively, to arrive there on the morning of the 14th or 30th. From there it will be time to say goodbye but that shouldn't be the end of your experience. We hope you'll take with you many fond memories, a new found confidence & respect for life and new ideas of how your experience could influence your future activities.
On arrival at www.fernthai.org you were presented with our simple 3 step sign up process. If you haven't completed this process yet please use the link to do so.
Step 1 send us your e-mail so we can keep in contact and guide you through the process.
Step 2 download our handy essential guide to volunteering brochure for reference.
Step 3 fill out our on-line application form.
Having completed the initial application process your details are sent to our UK partner, Voluntary Projects Overseas. A £50 / €70 / $100 deposit will be requested by Nick, an extremely experienced ex volunteer and Director of VPO. Fernthai Volunteer Foundation is a Child Safe and Child Friendly Organisation. We have adopted a Child Protection Policy(CPP) as sanctioned by Childwise, Australia and in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of all children. ALL staff, team members, sub contractors and volunteers must agree to and abide by the CPP and our Code of Conduct (CoD) at all times and all volunteers must agree to undertake a full CRB police check (Criminal Records Bureau). Due to the nature of our work and contact with children this is an essential process. As soon as your screening is approved we will e-mail to confirm your placement.
Your outstanding balance must be paid at least 1 month prior to the start of your program.
Having attained your placement confirmation the next 4 things you will need to arrange prior to your departure are Your return flight booking Your visa Your travel insurance and Your medical consultation. For more in-depth details consult our Preparation Checklist and Medical Advice sections.
We're hoping our new volunteers will take full advantage of our bespoke fundraising pages. Not only will you have the opportunity to raise a little extra for the people we help, you could also raise funds towards the expense of your own trip. Full details can be found at our Bespoke Fundraising page. We'd also like our volunteers to take full opportunity of our brand new "in-house" blog section. Keeping an account of your pre, during, and after volunteering experiences will serve as a great reference for all potential new volunteers. Upon placement confirmation we'll send you your unique blog login and password.
Having said goodbye to your loved ones and arrived at Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) your volunteer experience really begins. Our "essential guide to volunteering" will give you detailed information to put your mind at ease on your next step. All volunteers must arrive in Bangkok at least 1 to 2 days prior to the 1st/16th of the month of their chosen program date as these are the only 2 dates we can offer escorted travel to the camp. Having arrived we recommend new volunteers take an easily available taxi ride from the airport to the famous Khoa San Road - the home of tourists in Bangkok and the perfect place to get to grips with your first taste of Thailand. Hotels and guest houses are extremely reasonably priced and English is widely spoken throughout the area. This will also give you a chance to unwind after what is usually a long flight.
Once in Bangkok (ideally Khoa San Road) our program coordinator will contact you to arrange to meet. Again our essential guide will give you lots of information about mobile phones/communication in Thailand. From there you will be escorted to the Moa-Chit central bus station where we will help you purchase your $15 overnight bus ticket so we can all travel together to the home of Fernthai Volunteer Foundation - Baan Nakhor T. Naam Thaeng A. Sri Muang Mai J. Ubon Ratchathani 34250 Thailand.
Having arrived at the village we give all of our volunteers the first day to accustom to their new surroundings. From Monday to Friday your volunteering projects will begin encompassing educational, environmental, development & agricultural volunteering as community needs dictate. Any weekday free time will be used for your own cultural immersion, thai lessons, cooking lessons, temple visit etc. and English Lesson planning. For more detailed project info see our Projects section. Weekends are set aside for volunteers to catch up on their personal needs, washing, shopping etc. The local Forest Rangers will also on occasion escort on us local sight seeing trips to the nearby Mighty Mekong River, selection of waterfalls and beautiful Pha Taem park.
Sadly when your volunteering experience does come to end we will again either escort you back to Bangkok on the 13th or 29th of the month respectively, to arrive there on the morning of the 14th or 30th. From there it will be time to say goodbye but that shouldn't be the end of your experience. We hope you'll take with you many fond memories, a new found confidence & respect for life and new ideas of how your experience could influence your future activities.