Volunteer in a Genuine Elephant Village

Program Description

Located 60 kms north of Surin city in northeast Thailand is the village community of Baan Tha-Thit. The history of this village goes back hundreds of years although it remains still as genuine a village community as you'll find in Thailand. Hugely underdeveloped, this village is entirely self-sufficient and relies on farming for nearly 100% of its income. The community numbers around 300 people and 30+ elephants! The elephants are very much a part of the community and treated very well.

The problem here, however, is that a 3 tonne full grown male elephant eats around 300kgs of food each day! This is incredibly expensive for a household struggling to put food on their own table. Add to that the cost for veterinary services and you soon understand why so many elephants are sold to street walkers and so on. With the help of our volunteers, the fee you pay is used not just to offer you the very best service and support but also to directly assist the welfare of these incredible animals. You will help to feed them, help with their health care, help to clothe the families of the owners, even help to finance small micro-development projects. As a thank you for your help, you will receive the very best in Thai hospitality, three meals each day, daily work with the elephants, the most surreal experiences ever and, just like the elephants, you'll never, ever forget!

It's not all about the elephants though. In addition to spending time with them, you can also choose to help at the local school. Located just a 5 minute walk from your homestay, the community school offers the most basic of education services to around 90 children. We are desperate to find volunteers willing to give time to teach English, sports, arts, crafts and more to these incredible kids.

Why not combine your life-changing experience and spend a week or two on each project for the most amazing time ever?!

Highlights

Living in a genuine Thai elephant village
Experiencing the 'real' Thailand firsthand
That first elephant encounter is unforgettable
All meals, accommodation and transport is included
Fully guided Bangkok city tour
Seeing real results for your time and effort

Qualifications

Absolutely no experience or qualifications are required to join either of these projects. All we are looking for are fun, confident, hard-working and easy-going individuals who don't mind a bit of dirt and sweat!

As the elephant work is almost all outside, we are looking for volunteers who are able-bodied, physically fit and like a challenge.

If it's teaching that interests you the most, then we are looking for anybody! No teaching experience or qualifications are required. Volunteers are accompanied each day in the classroom by one of our highly experienced project coordinators. In addition to being with you throughout the day, they will also help you to plan and prepare lessons, give you ideas for games and help you out with materials.

Volunteer Types

What`s Included

Airport pick up on arrival in Bangkok and transfer to a guesthouse on the awesome Khao San Road
Two nights bed & breakfast accommodation in Bangkok
First morning meeting and Thailand orientation
Fully guided tour of Bangkok city
Accompanied train transfer from Bangkok to Surin
Incredibly comfortable bed & breakfast hotel accommodation when not staying in the elephants village
Accompanied return transfers from Surin city to the elephant village
4 nights homestay each week in the elephant village including all meals
Fully supported each and every day by our team of highly experienced, English speaking project coordinators
All daily activities including work with the elephants, community development projects and much more
Donation towards the care and welfare of the communities elephants
All project materials regardless of the project you've chosen
24/7 emergency contact numbers
Full and in-depth pre-departure information pack
Heaps of fun, elephant hugs and more