Be part of a project to improve impoverished communities in Thailand! New Hope collaborates with local organizations that work with the communities and create income-generating projects. With these projects, locals have the opportunity to learn about small business development, farming, gardening, fishing, cooking and other projects that can help to increase their income. Surin, where the project is based, is one of the poorest regions in Thailand. The villages, families, farmers and the elderly will greatly benefit from the community work projects. Previous volunteers have participated in income-generating projects such as building fish ponds for poor families, building a plant nursery for a school, planting grass along a roadside to prevent erosion during the raining season and making organic fertilizer for families and schools. Volunteer in Thailand in the community development project and gain professional experience as you will work alongside local people to create a meaningful experience for both yourself and the people you serve.

As a volunteer in the Community Development project, you will be able to exchange ideas and experiences to contribute to projects for community development. Depending on the individual’s skills and expertise, and the needs of the local staff, your daily duties include but are not limited to:

• Building schools, orphanages, hospitals, community centers, etc.
• Developing fish farms
• Supporting animal husbandry efforts
• Assisting agriculture efforts
• Working on community clean-ups
• Promoting community health, disease prevention and personal hygiene
• Expanding community goals and planning future projects
• Organizing extra-curricular activities such as talent shows, singing, dancing, sports, art, games, etc.

Rural communities in Surin need the support of foreign volunteers to help create additional income and improve their standard of living. By deciding to help in the community, your work can be on one of any number of projects. By volunteering in Thailand, your time, dedication and support will help progress in communities and locals will have a new lease on life. If you have an interest in community development, this is also the perfect opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience.

There are no specific qualifications needed to volunteer in the Community Development program in Thailand. However, volunteers are expected to be flexible, patient, enthusiastic and a self-starter, yet able to follow directions well. Volunteers must also respect the rules and regulations of the center, be resourceful, and must not hesitate to become involved in different activities.

This project is located in Surin.

Surin is located in the northeast region of Thailand about 450 kms from Bangkok and has a population of about 100,000. The town is known for its elephant festivals, silk, jasmine rice, ruins, temples and Buddhist shrines. Volunteers can enjoy the City Pillar Shrine, Wat Burapharam, Surin National Museum, art galleries, Phanom Sawai Forest Park, Khmer ruins, Ban Buthom Basketry Village, handicraft markets, wildlife sanctuaries, etc. Surin is also known for its incredibly friendly people.

During the project, volunteers will have the weekend to travel around Thailand and enjoy the Thai culture and landscape. The southern part of Thailand is known for its pristine beaches and is very popular with tourists. The northern areas include forests and hills and have many popular trekking and hiking destinations. The urban centers of Chiang Mai and Bangkok are famous for night life, good restaurants and also have many other attractions like temples, markets and museums.