MSM and HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education Program

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Start dates are available year-round

Description: Cultural Canvas Thailand places volunteers within a local organization called Mplus. Mplus is a project financed by USAID through FHI Thailand. Mplus work primarily with sexual health for men who have sex with men, MSM. The term MSM covers the three focus groups of Mplus: The general MSM, which includes gay and bisexual men (using a western terminology); male sex workers who often self-identify as heterosexual; and transgender, male-to-female. These three groups are addressed on their own through a variety of focused interventions and outreach.

Mplus has a wide span of activities such as workshops, English education for male sex workers, and handing out condoms and information at places where men meet to have sex. They have also had activities with local schools informing about safe sex, stigma against sexual minorities and activities that promote familiarity with condoms, such as making condom pins and condom flowers. Mplus also offers face-to-face counselling, phone counselling and plans to set up online counselling. Mplus currently consists of about 1000 members, spanning all three focus groups.

Highlights: All of Cultural Canvas Thailand's volunteer placements deal with social issues such as discrimination and the abuse of basic human rights. You will be learning about the lives of people from another culture and the problems they face such as poverty, hunger, disease, prejudice and many others. You will build relationships and gain an understanding of the issues confronting Thailand and many other parts of the world.

Qualifications: We welcome service from all walks of life and levels of experience. No specific training is required but becoming acquainted with the issues pertaining to your placement prior to arrival in Chiang Mai is a good idea. If you have an interest or background in a related area, for example we are always interested in people with an art background for our Canvas program, that is a double bonus for us.

Volunteers should be self-motivated, patient, team-oriented, compassionate, independent and respectful. Remember that the issues you will be dealing can be challenging, both physically and emotionally.

Cost in US$: Varies based on program.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Anyone over the age of eighteen who wants to broaden their horizons, see new and different places and people, face fresh challenges with a sense of adventure, and can give a minimum of three weeks volunteer time is right for Cultural Canvas.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Cultural Canvas Thailand's Mission Statement: The mission of Cultural Canvas Thailand is to generate awareness and volunteer support of the current social issues facing Chiang Mai, Thailand. We promote equality, community interaction, and social change through artistic outreach and volunteer services in conjunction with local organizations. Culural Canvas Thailand and our partner organizations focus on education and assistance in the following areas: HIV/AIDS, refugees, impoverished ethnic minorities, and sex workers.

Year Founded: 2005