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Have you volunteered in SE Asia?

 
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gogirlgo



Joined: 30 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:01 pm    Post subject: Have you volunteered in SE Asia? Reply with quote

Can you tell me about your experiences? I'd like any advice on doing short term (3 months or less) volunteering.

It seems like there are a lot of for-profit companies ($500 for 1 week of "volunteering"?!?!) that I'd rather not do. Other sites I've found look good, but I'm a bit uncertain...

Thanks in advance.
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waywardwanderer



Joined: 04 Dec 2005

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I volunteered with these people a few years back when they had a different name.
http://www.coast.ph/

http://www.coast.ph/pdf/newsletter_17.pdf

They are a great organization and sometimes need volunteers to help with educational projects, reef checks, writing, editing. They also have ties with some local schools if you want to do any volunteer teaching in Cebu or off on some islands. They might also be able to recommend projects in the Philippines that need volunteers. If you are into scuba diving or environmental education, they could be a good match for your interests. I stay in contact with the people I know from this organization and hope to work with them again in the future. However, it is not all fun in the sun; you need to be able to deal with conditions of abject poverty.
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Draz



Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Have you volunteered in SE Asia? Reply with quote

gogirlgo wrote:

It seems like there are a lot of for-profit companies ($500 for 1 week of "volunteering"?!?!) that I'd rather not do.


I'm interested in "volunteering". What company is that? Wink
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seoulteacher



Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:43 am    Post subject: Re: Have you volunteered in SE Asia? Reply with quote

Gogirlgo, the Redemptorist (Catholic) Orphanage in Pattaya, Thailand accepts 6-mth ESL (& other?) volunteers. You can contact them at or thru: http://www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk/faq/Handicapped/59 (incldg pages giving info on the orphanage).

I don't know if they have 3-mth or shorter programs. But, as far as I know, one does not have to pay to be a volunteer. My impression was that they provide their volunteers for free with 3 meals/day (tasty, home-cooked, mild Thai cuisine) and a room (comfortable) in their nearby Center. As was the case for the volunteers whom I ate alongside of in the dining room when I stayed (as a paying guest) at the Center in 2003 & 2006.

The volunteers (mostly mid 20s to early 30s foreigners when I was there) all seemed to be busy and enjoying themselves. Its peaceful and relaxing and quiet (and a church-related environment, tho' non-intrusively so. I attended Mass there, but I wouldn't be surprised if they accept non-Catholic volunteers). Oh, as beautiful a place as it is, it is definitely not for anyone looking to be a Pattaya party animal!

1
A general intro & look around the orphanage
- including activities in the language and computer labs, and with deaf & blind orphans:
'Pattaya Orphanage Trust' - 5:59
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpGNUjmvgPA&feature=related

2
An 18-yr old Scot's time with toddlers & babies (6-mth volunteer):
'My First Two Weeks in Pattaya Orphanage' - - 1:46
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLblcdrS61I&feature=related

NB: Alongside each of the above videos on YouTube, there will be many others about the orphanage.

I have not (yet) volunteered, but if I wanted to do so for a very worthy cause, I'd be talking to this orphanage. But a word to the wise: the kids will steal your heart! And I'd guess that you'll come away with a renewed appreciation for all that we oh-so-fortunate ESL teachers have, as I did. That, and a tan Very Happy
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doc_ido



Joined: 03 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've done WWOOFing in Korea which, compared to other places around the world, is pretty hard work. There are plenty of participating farms scattered around Asia, mostly in Japan.
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pidgin



Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are interested at all in EMT / Emergency medicine....I volunteered with the Po Tek Tung organization for 3 years in Bangkok (and 2 months in Khao Lak following the 04' tsunami)

Feel free to PM me for details.

There are several levels of volunteerism and being equipped in this org. I was in a fully-invested ambulance w/ trained personnel.

This article is about the "dirtier" end....but sometimes considered to be the "purest" volunteers.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2002/01/29/bodies_ed3_.php
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newinseoul



Joined: 22 Sep 2005
Location: Busan

PostPosted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I volunteered for three months in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as an ESL teacher. The work that you do goes to help rural communities environment and an orphanage. Highly recommended.

http://www.volunteerincambodia.org/
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