Youth Education and Community Exploration
- The Story
Accessible from any hotel in the region, including Phuket, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, and Ranong
Open Hearts and Helping Hands
Andaman Discoveries' three and four day itineraries feature meaningful short-term volunteering along with exploration of local culture and natural beauty. Our village and education programs give you a taste of true Thai culture while helping children in local projects develop essential skills.
Your days will include regular time with the children, supported by bilingual staff and teachers (when at one of the schools). Spend your free time with the locals and join them for fun cultural activities and excursions to the beach. You will be immersed in a welcoming atmosphere and experience the best of the Thai way of life.
About the "Education and Exploration" experience
Fast Facts:
- Accommodation At the orphanage, onsite volunteers bungalow which may be shared during busy periods. Homestay with a Thai Family or private room/bungalow near the school.
- Getting there: Transport to the homestay and village from the AD office is included. Transport to and from other locations in Thailand can be arranged on request
- In-country support:
- Placement at a local school or orphanage
- Induction and support from AD staff
- Visitors and Volunteer Handbook
- Access to teaching English resources
- Meals: All meals during your time on the project are included
- Activities: Cultural and sightseeing activities are included
- Language requirements: No Thai language is required. We will provide you with an English/Thai phrasebook to assist you with communication
- Availability: All year round for the Orphanage, during school term only for the schools
- Trip length: 3 – 4 days
Southern Thailand Orphanage (4 days 3 nights)
This orphanage opened its doors after the tsunami of 2004 to provide children in the area with a safe and secure environment to live and learn. Volunteers can assist with the daily operation of the home while the children are at school and in the afternoons assist the children with their English homework and basic language skills.
You will be staying at the orphanage in a small bungalow designed for volunteers. During your free time, you will have a chance to visit nearby beaches and the Khao Lak tsunami memorial.
Homestay and Village School (3 days 2 nights)
Staying with a Thai family and volunteering with local people provides you with insights into Thai life. Interact with the local people in the village by helping your host family prepare meals; and learn about their livelihoods through hands-on activities. The school is just a 10 minute walk from the village and has almost 400 students aged between 5 and 15.
There you will assist the English teacher to deliver lessons following the English curriculum, or have the opportunity to initiate lessons in re-cycling and health education; the children love the interaction with westerners and are fast and keen learners. The school has a mixture of Muslim and Buddhist students who have the opportunity to learn in an open and fun environment.
Life and Education in Kuraburi Township (3 days 2 nights)
Stay in a clean, comfortable room in the rural town of Kuraburi, and visit nearby waterfalls, handicraft projects and forest temples. Work with the local school, assisting the teachers to deliver their English lessons to a wide range of children. Kuraburi high school has around 700 students aged from 12 to 17 years old, with varying degrees of English skills; the students at this school love learning and interacting with volunteers in English which helps to build confidence in the children.
Your program will also give you the chance to explore this beautiful area and learn about local life in the south of Thailand, for example a visit to a local temple to speak with the monks and learn more about Buddhism and its teachings. This program is a unique way to interact with warm-hearted Thai people while giving something back.
How you make a difference
Your time spent with the children helps them to develop better language skills and cross-cultural communication, so that the learning process becomes more beneficial and fun. Your time spent in the community gives locals a chance to develop responsible tourism by sharing their traditional culture.
The emphasis of teaching activities is on interaction to make the learning process fun and memorable. Volunteers are encouraged to share a relevant skill or hobby that can be taught to the children.
Customize Your Trip!
Why not combine your Cultural Tour with a snorkeling trip to Koh Surin National Park, one of the finest snorkeling sites in Southern Thailand; a stay at an island ecolodge; or a visit to the pristine rainforests of the Khao Sok National Park? Contact us today!
