Teaching novice monks

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Description: Our volunteers teach novice Buddhist monks, ranging in age from 12-18, at five different monastery schools located in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Objectives of the schools consist of "enhancing the knowledge of monks and novices in both religious and secular subjects" and "to provide secondary education for boys who are unable to afford such opportunities elsewhere." All the students at four of the schools are novice monks and many, but not all, of the faculty and administration are Buddhist monks. One of the schools has both novice monk students and non-monk students (however the majority are monks). Volunteers assist the Thai faculty with English (and optionally in art) education roughly 15 hours a week (Monday Friday).

During their service, volunteers are welcomed to join the students and teachers in practicing group meditation, Buddhist prayers and chants, along with other religious and cultural celebrations and activities that occur within the school and community. However, these activities are optional for the volunteer. The students and administration will not be hurt or upset if the volunteer doesn't want to take part in the religious activities. They're just happy you're there to help out.

Highlights: Besides from temple gazing at Chiang Mai's more than 300 Buddhist temples (wat); there are many different optional activities that volunteers are encouraged to take part in during breaks (weekends or holidays) or after completion of their volunteer service to increase their travel experience and knowledge of Thailand. All courses and activities use English as the medium of communication. If a volunteer is interested in taking part in one of the activities listed below, make note of this in your volunteer application so arrangements can be made prior to arrival.

Thai cooking courses

All courses consist of a student to instructor ratio of nine to one, or less. The course programs allows for at least five different traditional Thai dishes made per lesson. All courses are located in Chiang Mai.

Courses are six hours long and consist of a local market tour by the instructors to purchase the ingredients for the course.

Volunteer Visions will organize an optional Thai cooking course for an additional fee of:
One day course: $35.00
Two day course: $62.00

Thai Massage Courses

The owner of the massage school is a very kind woman who appreciates the service our volunteers do in Thailand. For that reason she has gives our volunteers discounted prices, which are listed below.

The one day courses are offered on Saturdays and can be studied on weekends or holidays during volunteer service. Volunteer Visions will organize an optional after service, or during service weekend massage course for an additional program fee of:

$45.00 Basics of Thai body massage- 1 day (6 hours total).
$42.00 Traditional Thai Body Balancing Exercise- 1 day (6 hours total).

The longer 2-10 day massage courses can be studied during a holiday (3 day) weekend or after the volunteer has completed their volunteer service. Volunteer Visions will organize an optional after service massage course for volunteers for an additional program fee of:

$80.00 Foot massage- 2 days (12 hours total).
$70.00 Oil massage- 2 days (12 hours total).
$110.00 - Thai massage- 3 days (18 hours total).
$140.00 Thai massage- 10 days (60 hours total).

* Please note that the Thai massage school that offers our volunteers the discounted prices listed above is closed on Sundays.

* After day of service, Volunteer Visions will be happy to point volunteers in the right direction to where they can receive an incredible one hour Thai massage for roughly six dollars!

Jungle Treks

Jungle treks allow volunteers, especially those who have service sites in a city, to experience more of Thailand's nature. There are a few different jungle treks to choose from. All treks are all-inclusive (including food and lodging) for the time the volunteer is on the trek. Most treks include stops in remote hill tribe villages, rafts and elephant training areas.

The shorter (2 days, 1 night) treks are offered on weekends and can be done while the volunteer is in the middle of their service and taking a break from their service site. The longer (3 days/2 nights) treks are offered on holiday (3 day) weekends during service, or after completion of volunteer service. Volunteer Visions will organize an optional jungle trek, during or after service, for an additional program fee of:

$40.00 - 2 days/1 night
$55.00 3 days/2 nights

* Please note that occasionally, due to weather, holidays, timing of service programs and secondary activities, some activities maybe cancelled, or unavailable at the time a volunteer would like to participate. If this occurs a full refund of the additional program fee will be given to the volunteer before they complete their volunteer experience, or the activity will be rescheduled for another time when the volunteer is able to participate.

Qualifications: The minimum age for volunteers in this project is 19. This project is open to both males and females. Volunteers do not need any specific qualifications, but should enjoy working with young adults and be open and respectful to Buddhism and other cultures. Volunteers should be proficient in written and spoken English, along with creative, considering there is an incredible lack of teaching materials within the school.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Volunteer Visions Thailand's Mission Statement: Volunteer Visions offers project placements throughout the world to individuals who seek adventure, cultural immersion and have the desire to make a difference. Our projects are aimed at identifying areas in need and using direct voluntary action to create self-sustainable communities. Volunteer Visions is based upon the idea that through your visions, you can reach out to low-resourced communities and create tangible results. By donating your time and energy and working with communities at a grass roots level you can create immediate and lasting impacts on both individuals and communities. Volunteer Visions is committed to providing the most affordable volunteer abroad opportunities in the world.

Year Founded: 2007