Caregiving at a Home for Single Mothers in Crisis

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: The 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.

Description: At around 7:30 am the older children at the Single Mother's Home get on their bikes and the home's van to head off to school. The youngsters stay at the home. While the moms take classes on how to become self sufficient adults, the younger children need to be looked after by those who enjoy spending time with adorable infants and toddlers. Although many of these young children have had a difficult beginning before arriving at the Single Mother's Home, they are fortunate to receive the opportunity to have a cross cultural experience of being cared for by a foreigner so early in life. The impact of a cross cultural experience during early childhood is a great benefit to children, especially those who can really use the advantage. Volunteers involved in this project will have the chance to experience cradling a newborn ethnic Thai or hill tribe youngster in a bamboo constructed house surrounded by rice paddies and mountains, while the child's mother is learning the essential skills to improve her own and her young child's life and future.

Volunteers will assist in the day to day care of children at the home, along with assisting in the needs of the women residing at the home. Volunteers must have experience with and a love for young children. Considering many of the women and children at the home have recently suffered due to the mistreatment or abuse of men, the home requests that all volunteers serving in this project be female.

Volunteers will assist in the supervision of the many children at the home. It's important for the women at the home to take part in different classes (ESL, Computer, financial management, child care etc.) to learn the essential skills that will help them obtain independent self sufficiency. The age of children at the home ranges from newborns to seven years old. Volunteers will look after the babies, toddlers and older kids, change diapers, organize simple games and make sure the older children don't get into too much trouble.

Highlights: Chiang Mai is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields. Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city with a population of roughly 700,000. The city is considered the cultural and physical capital of (what used to be) the northern Thai (Lanna) kingdom. Chiang Mai is the home of an international airport, restaurants of almost every cuisine, incredible shopping and world class hospitals.

During or after one's volunteer service, Friends For Asia recommends for volunteers to take part in some of the many different local attractions and/or courses. Every Sunday Chiang Mai closes off one of the main roads in the old city to put on a walking street market. Vendors and artisans from the area set up their small booths to sell their handicrafts, art and mouthwatering finger foods.

Chiang Mai offers Thai cooking courses starting around 35 USD, Thai massage courses starting around 45 USD, along with jungle treks and regular Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches. Upon your arrival into Chiang Mai, Friends For Asia will be more than happy to help you sign up for one of these exciting opportunities to learn more about this beautiful culture.

Qualifications: Volunteers do not need any specific qualifications, but should have a basic knowledge of child care. Volunteers should be able-bodied, flexible and enjoy working outside and with kids.

Friends For Asia requires all volunteers in this project (and all other projects where volunteers work directly with or near children) to submit a certified police background check before volunteer service begins.

Cost in US$: 895

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: An individual who loves to travel, wants to learn more about Thailand and assist Asia in it's development.

Age Range: Women (only) over 20.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2 or 3

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement: The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded: 2008