HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program in Thailand

  Thailand

• Bangkok: 
Bangkok

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Monthly Start Dates beginning Summer 2009

Description: Help educate youth about HIV and AIDS while living with a host-family in Thailand!

Global Service Corps has responding to the growing need for HIV/AIDS and sexual health education in Thailand by providing both Day Camp opportunities and school-based learning activities for Thai youth.

In an effort to curb the recent increase in HIV cases among young people in Thailand, GSC has collaborated with local Thai Partner Organizations to launch the English for Life - Day Camp Program. These weekend camps held around Thailand focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and education, sexuality education, and life skills training.
Based on the success of the English for Life Day Camps, GSC has expanded its scope to provide follow-up HIV/AIDS prevention and education assistance in secondary schools that have participated in the camps. GSC volunteers work with local teachers to plan lessons and activities for 7th to 12th grade students, providing them with basic knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention methods. All lessons are conducted in English, giving students the opportunity to practice their English skills.

Volunteers may participate in the GSC HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education Program in a Two-Week, Short-Term, Long-Term, and Internship programs, or in combination with another program as part of an Integrated Program.

GSC is in the process of evaluating its HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program in order better to serve the community and provide a mutually beneficial experience for volunteers. This program is scheduled to launch in Summer of 2009. Please check back with GSC early in 2009 for more details.

Highlights: Accommodation: Volunteers experience true cultural immersion by living with a local Thai family or at the Buddhist temple. GSC places volunteers with hosts who enjoy learning about other cultures and appreciate the unique opportunity that hosting an international volunteer gives to their family. Host families and placement temples have been carefully chosen by GSC and our partners, and many have hosted volunteers over the course of several years. Whether you are learning meditation from your novice monks or sharing a spicy som tam (papaya salad) with your new Thai family, your experience with GSC hosts will provide memories and friendships lasting a lifetime.

Thai Partners: The experience of GSC volunteers is greatly enhanced by their daily interaction with local counterparts, whether a nurse at a hospital, a teacher at a school, or an English-speaking monk, Volunteers and their Thai partners build mutually beneficial and often long lasting bonds of friendship. Local partners assist Volunteers with obtaining local transportation, finding the best local restaurants, learning local language phrases, meeting community leaders, and giving tips about and often participating in social activities. Counterparts play a vital role in providing a true cultural immersion experience while helping to insure that the volunteers' interaction with and service to the community is appropriate and effective.

Cost in US$: Programs start at $2,705

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 2-10

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Year Founded: 1992