Volunteer in Thailand

Projects in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Volunteer with Hilltribe people

Over the last 100 years, tribal people have migrated to Chiang Rai to escape war and military dictatorship in neighboring countries. Population density in the hills has increased and lowland Thais have moved into the foothills which has resulted in the current situation in which there is little chance for the tribal groups to continue their semi-nomadic lifestyle based on swidden agriculture. To exacerbate their problems many of them are not recognized as Thai citizens, do not have land rights and do not have adequate access to areas for rice cultivation. Therefore they are forced to find a balance between maintaining their own culture and participating in the global economy in the lowest paying, most dangerous jobs.

You will be able to live in a traditional hilltribe village and work with families at whatever is being carried on such as clearing fields, planting, harvesting and community projects such as school improvements. You can teach English to the hilltribe children or at a village school.

This a great opportunity to get to know and experience traditional life of the hilltrib people. You will live and work with them side by side.

Building Toilet Facilities in the Hilltribe Villages

This is a great program to give back to the community. Here you will be actively helping local hill tribe villages to build necessary water & sanitation facilities to improve the lives of the hilltribes considerably. Many families in remote villages do not have enough water in their village for personal use and cooking. With the help of volunteers, this program will assist villagers who need additional water systems to build their own facilities, using donated pipes, concrete, sanitary equipment, etc.

As a member of a building team, you will stay in a hilltribe village with a host family, and experience village life. During the day, you will have some light duties linked to the nature of the project such as digging, cutting down bamboo with a traditional machete, mixing cement with sand from the river bed, making "bamboo reinforced concrete", using dried straw to make a thatched roof and so on.

Your evenings can be spent trying to talk basic English to the village youths, and perhaps teaching them some English karaoke songs. The villagers will be happy to take you to see the sights around their village - including waterfalls, rivers and viewpoints.

Work in an Orphanage School or in a Hilltribe Boarding House

Live in a house with up to 20 hilltribe kids aged 6-15 who go to school each day during term times. During the daytime you will teach English at a local school. These children otherwise have little or no opportunity to get language education so volunteering there will make a big impact on the children's lives.

Teaching English in Thai schools

You will teach English at a city center school or in schools in the countryside. Evenings and weekends can be spent in hilltribe villages. You will also have the option of spending some time living with a local Thai family and seeing rural Thai life at first hand.

Client Testimonials

“The program was a great experience. They had everything taken care of for me. I didn't have to worry about anything I could just enjoy my time meeting people and helping out on the various projects. I loved my week building toilets for the hill tribe. It was the a place where I felt like I was got the real Thai experience. We worked right along with the family and ate the same food as they were eating in their little hut. It was a great feeling really getting to know how they lived and being able to help give them something tangible in return. They were so grateful for what we were doing, but I was grateful just to have the opportunity to do it.”
- Chelsea Clark (USA)

“ I want to thank you for the great opportunity to volunteer in Chiangrai. I enjoyed the eye-opening experience in the village. It has been one of the most profound moment in my life.”
- Eddie Kramlich (USA)

“I've had hard times and amazing times during my travels.  I am happy I lived simply, learned to speak Isan, cooked thai food, made friends with really genuine  people, helped families and children, learned muay thai.. I mean what can I say it has been a dream come true.  I feel fulfilled in every way with my trip and all these experiences have taught me many lessons.”
- Sue Colon (UK)

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