wilburygang

We will be traveling in South east Asia for 6 months and would like to spend May / June volunteering. We are two qualified social workers, with experience working with children and families. We have 3 children aged 12,10 and 6. Ideally we'd like to volunteer as a family, and to be able to use some of our skills and experience. (We volunteered in a school in Ethiopia for 2 months, as a family). Does anyone know of any possible options?

Kathie

Take a look at www.theplf.org

crellston

There are many opportunities for "volunteering" in SE Asia, some are very good, but many are basically a total rip off and do little if anything to help the kids they are supposedly set up for. Do check the validity of any organisation VERY carefully, particularly if they ask you for money

I was quite impressed with the work done by http://www.15mayschool.org/ in Saigon which is aimed at helping the street kids (who, in addition to being homeless, get a really hard time from the police there)- but it is a long time since I was there.

crosscheck

Definitely contact Rustic Pathways - http://www.rusticpathways.com/extra/family.php They can set up an incredible service trip for your family. Their main focus is summer programs for teens (my son traveled with them to Costa Rica for two years in a row), but we know other families who have gone on life-changing volunteer vacations that they organized. RP offers service opportunities all over the world, but their main international base is in Northern Thailand, where they have a fantastic compound where volunteers can live and do all sorts of work with the community.

crosscheck

Oops - posted too soon

Rustic Pathways also operates a center in rural Laos that works with marginalized tribal teens. Plus they offer a floating village project, as well as a Mekong service expedition.

theplf.org is also a fantastic organization in Siem Reap, Cambodia - Our family volunteered in a rural school for a morning and I would return in a heartbeat.

qwovadis

www.worldvision.org has several projects I have worked with them even donated an airplane for Africanchild outreach might check with them CAREFUL many scammers here and there stick with folks of repute.

The Ranong Protection, Prevention, and Recovery Project addresses the issue of exploitation among the young girls of Phayao province in the northern region. Many women and girls are taken from their homes in neighboring Myanmar, often with the promise of a better life, only to slave as hard laborers or to work in brothels. World Vision is working to raise awareness, provide vocational training, and advocate for the improved future of these young girls. A shelter in Ranong, which will house up to 40 women and girls, has nearly finished construction.

Mae Tang AIDS Solution and Advocacy Project aims to improve the lives of AIDS orphans and residents of targeted regions through education, health, and community development interventions. Project leaders look to raise healthy public attitudes toward HIV and AIDS patients that will lead to improved health, mutual care, and better well-being in communities.

lcuy

Another vote for the plf.org. Contact Lori and ask her what you could do. There is a lot of flexibility for volunteers to make up their own programs. You can read all about their organization and some volunteer reports here:

http://theplf.org/wp/category/volunteers/

See my 2010 visit here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-singapore.cfm

and my 2011 stint:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...an-odyssey.cfm

wilburygang

Thanks everyone for such helpful information. And anymore suggestions / tips are also welcome!

almostdone12

If you have a good family experience in Asia, check out VISIONS Service Adventures in a couple years. They offer a summer community service program for teens in Cambodia but your kids would have to be a little older I think.

Lyndie

The link below is to an organisation running some of the best training for "street-kids", in hospitality. Their restaurant, Friends is very, very good too!
Check out http://www.mithsamlanh.org/

gpotvin

Bookmarking.