HIV Orphanage

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 1st and 3rd Monday of March  May 2009

Description: Your role as a volunteer is not only to make the children's lives at the orphanage more enjoyable but to educate them through music, sports, computer, English education and art during the Thai school summer (March  mid-May).   You will pick one, or more, of the above areas and with direction from the full time staff, organize lessons or games with the children to enjoy and take part in.

Aside from organizing activities, the orphanage staff asks that volunteers spend individual time with the children, giving hugs, attention and love. Volunteers are additionally asked to be flexible, for often times last minute changes or events come up which may disrupt a volunteer initiated or planned activity. Although the children at the orphanage have been infected with HIV, they show just as much excitement, love and life as children anywhere.

The children at the orphanage live there due to their parents dying of HIV. In some cases, the orphanage accepts parents infected with HIV also, so they can spend their last days with their own children. Additionally, this allows an easier transition for the children, after the passing away of their parents, considering they are already accustomed to the orphanage.

The orphanage is run by foreigners dedicated to the fight against HIV and AIDS. They ask that volunteers are flexible and patient, as there are many special activities that occur at the orphanage, especially during the Thai New Year (Songkran) which occurs in mid-April.

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, Thai massage courses starting around $45, 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: The orphanage requires an additional application form from perspective volunteers. After completion of the additional application, orphanage staff will determine acceptance into the volunteer service program.

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

Although it's not necessary for volunteers to be Christian, the administration of the orphanage would like for all volunteers to be aware and respect that the orphanage functions and was founded under Christian principles.

Cost in US$: Starts at $695 for two weeks.

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: Men or Women over 20.

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

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

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