Volunteer Thailand » Children’s Home

Volunteer Stories – Children’s Home

Sonja Greiner – Walldorf, Germany – Children’s Home Volunteer Project, October, 2010

“The volunteer work experience in the Orphanage was amazing. You have to learn so much, not only about the children also about yourself. The people in the orphanage are so friendly and thankful so it is much more easier to work there. At the first time I thought that 3 weeks is a long time- but it goes unbelievable fast… I’m happy to have this kind of new experience and when you really in love with children you should do the same great experience that I had I also want to thanks my Organization. I’m very happy because anyone is always reachable. In addition to that I want to say that Run and Aom ensure a very comfortable feeling in the house”

Anna-Lena Boehm – Muenchen, Germany – Children’s Home Volunteer Project, September, 2010

“Although my time at the orphanage was a short one, I gained a lot of it and it enriched my life in a positive way. My time as a volunteer in Asia with Friends for Asia was great. If you are in love with children I can recommend you to make the experience what it feels like when you receive a cute smile from one of the little babies at the orphanage, they really need a big portion of extra love!”

Maria Dobrovodska – Parn, France – Children’s Home Volunteer Project, August, 2010

“Great experience, people in Friends for Asia are very nice and helpful. The orientation weekend was quite good; I appreciated the Sunday restaurant evening. Getting my taxi every morning and traveling to work with ordinary Thai people was a part of this great experience. You get close to normal people in here and just integrate yourself. After 2 weeks, I feel already as a Thai. The orphanage is a very nice place. Modern, the kids have lot of toys, clothes and sweeties. The volunteer needs to bring a good humor and lots of love. The program in every room is different; it depends on the staff in there. Some rooms are well organized, some of them not because they need maybe more staff. Nansawanne room is really nice and after one day you get into the work. I had also an opportunity to go to the hospital and see some ill babies and just hug them and help to feed them. There are some long term volunteers at the orphanage and they can help the newcomers to understand more the organization and the daily program in each room.”

Jo Alcock – Auckland, New Zealand – Children’s Home Volunteer Project, March, 2010

“I really enjoyed my two weeks volunteer work in Chiang Mai. I worked at the Children’s Home Orphanage which was an unexpected option due to the unavailability of the HIV Orphanage due to a change in the school term dates. Friends for Asia arranged the change for us within a day and we were very glad to have had the opportunity to work in the larger orphanage. I worked with babies and toddlers and was very impressed with the organization and care of the children. The little children are really well looked after but there are never enough hands to meet all the need for cuddles and games so our group felt that we really contributed to their happiness. There was always a baby or toddler who needed some special attention and the cuddles were a delight. The longer you volunteer there the more responsibility you can take in caring for the children.”

“The administration staff were very welcoming to us and made a special meeting at the end of our time there to thank us and discuss the work they do in more detail.”

“It is a very worthwhile project to be involved in. There are opportunities to work with older age groups, do practical work around the orphanage, teach English after school to the older children as well as the work we did with the babies and toddlers. They want foreigners there so that the children get used to our different look and are not scared of us. This ensures that foreign adoptions are that little bit easier if the occasion arises.”

Katie Chapman, Auckland, New Zealand – Children’s Home Volunteer Project, March, 2010

“My volunteer experience at the Children’s Home orphanage was one I’ll never forget. The kids’ faces and the sound of their laughter will stick with me forever. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a government funded orphanage but this was a happy positive place with a great woman at the helm. Volunteers are needed and welcome here and many return from around the world year after year. That says it all really and I hope to be one of them if I get the opportunity again.”

Alana Alcock – Auckland, New Zealand – Children’s Home Volunteer Project, March, 2010

“My time volunteering with the under-3-year-olds at ViengPing Orphanage was one of the best times of my life. We were originally supposed to be working at Agape Home, the HIV Orphanage associated with Friends For Asia, but due to school term dates being extended unexpectedly, there wasn’t going to be much at all for us to do there. The Friends For Asia staff very quickly found us a new project and we went out to have a look at ViengPing Orphanage. This is the government orphanage and currently houses around 200 children from newborns to school leavers. As soon as we arrived we got the feeling that is was just a really big home and all of the children were so happy and sweet. The staff was unbelievably friendly and welcoming and we all immediately felt that we were very needed there. The teachers are all friendly but are limited in their English so conversation was difficult. The children were all extremely affectionate and all they wanted was love and attention, something that was very easy to give! As this is the government orphanage for Chiang Mai, you must wear tops that cover your shoulders and shorts that cover your knees at all times. I would recommend bringing plenty of long shorts and t-shirts as you will be getting messy every day!”

“The staff of Friends For Asia were extremely helpful and friendly. The orientation weekend was very worthwhile and fun and everything was well-organised.”

“Getting out and about is a must as well. We went to Chiang Mai Zoo, which was fun. The pandas are a big deal here! We also went on a one-day trek in the mountains which included a half hour elephant ride (although it was advertised as an hour) and bamboo rafting which was hilarious. We had a very cheeky “driver” who liked to rock the raft back and forth and try to submerge us. It was a lot of fun. There is also opportunity to buy things in the hill tribe villages along the way, as well as swim at the waterfall.”

“Our favourite day was the one day cooking course with Mae, at Smart Cook. The food was delicious, Mae was sweet and funny and we loved every minute of it.”

“Riverside Restaurant is a really nice place to eat out if you want either Thai Food or western dishes. Everything was really delicious and the atmosphere was great. Alternatively for authentic Thai food, pretty much anywhere is good! We never found a place we didn’t like.”

“All in all I loved the whole experience!”

Amy Alcock, Auckland, New Zealand – Children’s Home Volunteer Project, March, 2010

“I had such an amazing experience at the Children’s Orphanage. My family and I were taking care of the babies and toddlers there for two weeks. We had always wanted to do volunteer work and we felt very lucky to have ended up this orphanage for our first real experience. Even though we weren’t there for a long time we still felt the time we spent there worthwhile and we felt very helpful.”

“The orphanage is really well run and we were very impressed with the staff and how they took care of so many children but there aren’t enough staff to cover all the hugs and attention the kids need so we felt very needed and appreciated. The kids are amazing and such a joy to be around. The longer we were there the more we noticed how all the children at the orphanage were very happy, well rounded children and have great opportunities as they grow up there.”

“We loved being volunteers there to share those happy moments with the kids.”

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2011