Program Description

Kaya Volunteer Programs in Thailand

Description

Join Kaya on one of our many unique volunteer and travel programs in Thailand. We operate in a wide variety of capacities including teaching, community development, health care, animal conservation, and human trafficking. The goal is to raise the living standards of the people of Thailand and help preserve their natural resources. Volunteers typically work from 8:30am - 5:00pm with an hour for lunch and evenings to themselves to enjoy Thailand on a personal level.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering in Thailand with Kaya. This will be an experience you won't likely forget!

Current Volunteer Projects in Thailand:
1. Elephant Welfare Project in Eastern Mahout Communities - £799 ($1399) for 1 week
2. Work with Rescued Elephants, Reforestation and Rural Communities in Thailand - £830 ($1453) for 1 week
3. Island Marine Conservation with PADI Certification - £1175 ($2056) for 2 weeks
4. Teach English to the Children of Koh Tao Island - £849 ($1486) for 4 weeks
5. Community Building Projects for Rural Minority Groups - £799 ($1399) for 1 wee
k
6. Teach English to Adults and Children of Rural Minority Groups - £799 ($1398) for 2 weeks
7. Provide Support to Victims of Human Trafficking - £789 ($1381) for 2 weeks
8. Human Trafficking Photography Expedition to Promote Social Change - £1399 ($2448) for 2 weeks
9. Medical Outreach and Social Aid for Rural Communities - £1135 ($1986) for 2 weeks
Please note that project availability can change frequently. Please check our website for the latest updates.

Interview with Leslie Osterloh, Kaya volunteer alum

GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with Kaya in Thailand?

Leslie: My husband and I are advocates of giving back. We couldn’t see ourselves sipping margaritas on the beach for 2 weeks, that’s just not us. For our honeymoon we had a very non-conventional itinerary. We wanted to go to Uganda and Thailand; Uganda to work with Malaria and water needs and Thailand to focus on child trafficking. We ended up just going to Thailand because of the political turmoil in Uganda at the time and the non-profit we were working with decided to cancel the trip because of the danger.

Volunteering in Thailand with Kaya
Children in Thailand learn to smile early in life

I’ve been a lot of places in my life and have done a lot of crazy adventures, but to go into a country and try to gain an in depth understanding of the culture you’re visiting is radically difficult. As you walk through life there are always two sides; Light/Dark, Need/Want, Truth/Lie. My hope is that you now understand the truth about Thailand. The beauty this country has but the darkness that undertones that beauty.

Kaya Volunteers in Thailand
Some of Kaya's Elephant Welfare Project volunteers
GO: How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?

Emily: Due to the fact that we were only there for about a week or so, we really didn’t have a chance to dive into all the problems. We just got to learn about them which helped us better understand this social injustice issue as a whole. Our goal was to come back to the States and to be the voice for these people and help others understand what is going on here. Our hope is to also raise money for COSA (Children’s Organization of Southeast Asia).

Further Information
Age Group: 
18-50
50+
Languages Learned/Spoken: 
Thai
Living Arrangements: 
Volunteer House
Accommodation is included in the program cost
Travel Arrangements: 
Participants travel to the program independently.
Application Requirements: 
Online Application
Age Requirement
Health Requirement
Visa Required

Ratings and Reviews

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Land conservation Koh Tao Thailand

80%

Overall Rating

80%Overall
Rating

I went to Koh Tao for the land-and marine conservation program. The sign-up process was easy and the different forms you fill in shows that there is a good organization behind this company. You also have easy access by both e-mail and telephone if you would have any questions. In good time prior to departure I received a welcome pack. This contained loads of useful information, everything from country information, travel details, project details, things to think about and suggestions of what to pack. There was also important telephone numbers for both the Bangkok coordinator and the project manager at Koh Tao. My experience with Kaya is very good. Before choosing my project they answered all my questions very thorough and also gave that additional service and were willing to help out with everything. After arriving at the project Kaya checked so that I was satisfied with everything and there was also a follow-up when I got home. They have also been in contact with me since I got back home and been helping me to find a new project. I would recommend Kaya to anybody wanting to volunteer

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Submitted by Maria on 05/02/2012
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 31-50    |   Stockholm, Sweden    |    Pro Traveler    |    University   
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Surin Project

100%

Overall Rating

100%Overall
Rating

Upon arriving in Bangkok, I disovered my luggage had been lost. The Kaya representative helped me deal with the airlines to find out where it was and that it would take a week to get back to me. He then took me around the city to buy some clothes and such to last me a week in rural Thailand. He made what would have been a terrible time bearable. The Surin Project, where I was actually volunteering, was the best place ever and I am sad that I am not still there. Everday, I got to be with elephants, walking with them, swimming with them, or just appreciating them and their personalities. The volunteers would clean their shelters, cut food for them, plant food, maintain the fields, and bathe them in the river. It was the most amazing time ever.

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Submitted by Bry on 02/22/2012
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Pennington, NJ    |    Experienced Traveler    |    Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey- New Brunswick   

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Program Info

Country: 
Thailand
Volunteer Type: 
Animal Welfare
Community Development
Service Learning
Eco-tourism
Length of Program: 
2-4 weeks
1-3 months
Cost: 
$500-$2,000 (USD)
$2,000-$5,000 (USD)

Program Photos

Volunteer Abroad in Thailand with Kaya