Save the Sea Turtles. Save Their Unique Beach - Tai Muang

  Thailand

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Description: Discover and learn about the threatened and amazing sea turtles in Thailand. More and more beaches are exploited for mass tourism. The last remaining one for the gigantic leather backs is the miles long unique Tai Muang Beach and National Park just north of Phuket.

National parks in Thailand and Laos lack resources to protect wildlife, nature and develop eco tourism. OpemindProjects supports the NP to protect nature and promote sustainable eco tourism.

Volunteers with an interest and knowledge of nature conservation are welcome to help.

Highlights: Volunteers who are experienced scuba divers may participate in marine surveys, dive tours for Eeco tourists. Diving is possible outside the monsoon season which normally starts in May and ends in October/November.

Outdoors activities such as trekking trips and terrestrial surveys are conducted with local staff and their children to help them learn English and to guide tourists.

Objectives of the project
Develop sustainable tourism, protect the miles long beach from commercial exploitation and conserve the wildlife and environment.

People involved
- National Park staff, local school and OpenmindProjects
- Local resources for the underwater survey
- Converted fishing boat, staff, diving equipment and local divers when necessary

Qualifications: Volunteers role and general tasks:
To support the National Park in their indoors and outdoors activities by trekking, working together, surveys, assisting in creating brochures and panels, develop website ideas for the national park and other related work.

A major task is to help improve the English of the staff and to helpthem learn how to take care of non Thai visitors, eco tourists.

Desired volunteer profile:
- Capable of working alone
- Sociable, assertive but also very flexible and patient   
- Marine biology, wildlife conservation knowledge
- Scuba diving skills
- Photography skills
are assets but not required

Selected volunteers will receive pre-departure information and a 3 day in-country volunteer orientation as well as local briefing prior to heading to the placement.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Energetic, independent, flexible.

Age Range: 20 plus

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

Open mind projects's Mission Statement: Open Mind Projects is a bridge to knowledge and cross-cultural understanding, bridging digital and knowledge divides between rich and poor. Open Mind Projects arranges placements for international volunteers to schools, Orphan Homes, other institutions and projects, in Thailand and Laos. Open Mind Projects cooperates with these schools and institutions with learning ideas, technology and international volunteers. Schools and other learning/youth institutions in developing nations are understaffed and under resources. New information technology and international volunteers help offset this advantage. Open Mind Projects wants to facilitate valuable cross-cultural experience, personal development, for volunteers and local childeren and students. An opportunity to learn about other cultures while making local and international friends, within an affordable backpacker budget.

Year Founded: 2001