Volunteer Work in South east Asia???????

Hi,

Myself & my boyfriend are heading to SE Asia in May of next year. I have heard a lot of people talking about volunteer work in these countries. We are planning Thailand (for most of our stay), Vietnam, Cambodia, and we havent been able to make a decision out of Malaysia, China, Mynamar, Laos, Hong Kong & Japan(budget depending), & we would really love to do some kind of volunteer work, anything really, but preferable helping people that really need it.

Could anybody help me out with information on volunteer work in any of these countries, Ihave heard that you can volunteer in childrens orphanages in Cambodia, does anybody know anymore about this, or has ever done it?

Also, on how you go about volunteering? Is there a screening process before you go away or can you orgnaise everything over there?

Help would be very much appreciated,

Thanks a Mill

Clare

Check out Idealist.org, it lists volunteer opportunities in many countries.

http://www.idealist.org

Hope that helps.

Thanks a million Pardus, thats great.

Id really love to hear from people themselves about their experiences & what they would recommend. Did you volunteer yourself?

I did volunteer work for 10 weeks in Zambia on a Wildlife Surveillance project. It was such an amazing experience, although very expensive. It's through the contribution fees that the organisations fund themselves.
I am currently looking into another volunteer project in Mongolia, this time an internship in a TV station with a local NGO. It's much cheaper and the money goes directly into the country, but on the other hand it's a bit more risky as they are not connected to any 'regulating' body, so to speak. But then again, the British NGO I went with to Zambia didn't really deliver what they promised - and pulled out of Zambia for business reasons, making us the last group to have been there.

As for finding volunteer spots on the spot is a bit more tricky as usually the NGOs like to know in advance when they are getting people and how many. But if you look around the internet you'll find a lot of information. And I'd also recommend to buy some pencils, paper and the likes to give to the Orphanage - it will make a huge difference to the kids.

Let me know how you get on, I can assure you volunteering will change your life in a good way.

Dear Clare,

We have a school just opened (October 1st) near Siem Reap in Cambodia funded from travellers to the area. This school is already teaching 505 children at secondary level but numbers should rise to well over 1,000 as a new building comes on-line.

Help would be appreciated when you are in the area. How much time do you have?

pm me if you prefer or contact through profile

Kind Regards

Andy

Clare,
I know a worthy organization in Phnom Penh that can use volunteers. They help orphans and poor families. Send me a PM if you are interested.

Hi, everyone,
For the voluntary work, i wou.ld like to say sth about voluntary in China.
After i graduated from university last year, many classmates attend the voluntary work to help the chilidren in some remote regions in China. such as some western cities.
they do the voluntary teach there, or plant trees in the deserted regions. or organise the donation to the poor.
That is really helpful and meaningful. You kow for the reason of the large population and various folk minority groups, many people are in need of help. and also the environment. now Chinese will organise several voluntary work in China.
Now i am working in Guangxi province, in south China, in the bordering area between China and Vietnam. a beautiful place with mountains and rivers,and also with many ethnic minority groups, for the reasons of landform, many people are in need of help,
so here i call for foreign friends and also Chinese attend the voluntary work in China.

2008 olympic games volunteer