GVI, Ethical Impact. Volunteer in Thailand

I spent ten weeks teaching English in school in June 2019 in the south of Thailand. I’m not sure that there are enough words to describe this place and how brilliant it is, and the large impact it made on me. Leaving was very hard as I truly fell in love with the area and the people in it.
The community really make you feel like you’re a part of it and not a tourist. I know the whole point of the program was about teaching the adults and students from the village but I feel like it taught me a lot more than I thought was possible, it opened my eyes to the real world and showed me how much is out there and the world is bigger than my corner of England, it helped me grow so much as a person and just changed my whole perspective on life in general. I didn’t know you could fall in love with a place until I arrived in Ban Nam Khem and this place will always have such a huge part in my heart forever, and so will the people who live in it and the students I taught. This program has a massive impact on the community and its so clear to see that, we took part in village clean ups, temple clean ups, parades and so much more which proved how much of a good relationship GVI has with community and the respect each side has for each other. During the week we taught at two different schools, a Thai school and a Burmese school and had multiple lessons at each, having the same classes each week helps build up such a strong relationship between you and the students and there was such an age range from 6-16 which gives you such different experiences with every class. And every second Friday we had a group project were all three programs would come together to do something, this was different every time from, a beach clean, making chicken wire bins, fundraiser for menstrual cups, summer camp at a school and so much more. we also had weekly Thai lessons to help you with communicating with others in the village which I found very beneficial.
My first two weeks were a massive struggle and I found it very hard, however the staff team were just amazing and gave me a lot of support and made things so much easier, base felt like a home and the staff really made it feel like a family, without such an amazing, kind and supportive staff team I think I would of found the whole experience a lot harder, every single one of them helped me so much while there, they constantly supported me, checked I was coping okay and were always available if I wanted someone to have a five minute chat with, it was my first time out of the country without my mum and the staff team made it a lot more easier and it didn’t feel I was as far away from home as I really was.
The initial shock of finding out you have no hot water, sharing a room with six people in bunk beds, Geckos everywhere and so much more seemed like it would be impossible to cope with but being away from it is weird as I miss these things so much.
I made friends for life here and speak to most of them on a daily basis even though we are in different places around the world, and the ones in England I meet up with as much as we can, and am planning on visiting a group over in America next year.
GVI as a whole has been amazing throughout my time with them, before I went I received many emails and calls making sure I was prepared for my trip, since being back I still get regular emails to check how I am, I’ve joined the ambassador programme where I now go to lots of events around the uk and meet other past volunteers which I really love as its amazing to see so many people who believe in the same thing as you, and I love hearing about past trips of other people, I can say without a doubt this isn’t my last trip with GVI as I will definitely be returning in a few short months. GVI changed me for the better as a person as it was the first time I felt truly happy and I couldn’t recommend this enough to anyone, my confidence and self-awareness grew so much I don’t recognise the person who came back and it’s a very good thing.

I had an incredible adventure in Thailand with the elephants !
Every mornings we were looking for the elephants to take data on their behaviour and health. During afternoons, we had presentations about the elephants, language courses or some free time. In the evening we had dinner with our host family or with the other volunteers and oftenly an evening activity.
This experience bought me a lot; i’ve learned a new culture by living in my homestay, how to cook some delicious meals, a new language,...
I would totally recommend this amazing experience ! We not only take care of the elephants but moreover we participate in the community by giving english lessons to the locals, by spending time with them,The organisation is very good managed and the staff is very nice !

I've always loved the water, especially marine life so choosing this specific course was a no brainer. At first, I was apprehensive of what to expect but this program delivered above and beyond what I imagined. Every day is different from a variety of jobs including caring and cleaning turtles, snorkeling during coral and fish surveys, beach cleans, teaching children about conservation and much more. My absolute favorite was butterfly surveys and discovered I have a secret knack for identifying butterflies (its harder and more fun then it sounds!).

My social life was brilliant meeting so many people who all had the same goal in mind - to make the world a better place! We would constantly watch films, do quizzes and play games in the evenings, and visiting other parts of Thailand during the weekends, being able to discover more of the culture and nightlife! Being there during Halloween was brilliant, with a party being held and a costume contest (2019 winner here!). They do everything to make it feel like home and have regular events and nights out making it even more enjoyable.

It was constantly sweaty, hot and tiring but my mood rarely faltered and I left feeling that I have definitely made a difference. I won't miss the cold showers or how spicy the food could be, however, those annoyances pale in comparison to the fact that I have had a lifechanging experience and have made friends for life! So while it was some of the hardest weeks of my life it was also the greatest!

At first I booked this project for the cultural immersion that volunteers got when they lived here and share the experience with the locals as living in the same environment and having the same food, etc. Nevertheless, when I arrived here I found out that aside from what I was expecting the program got to offer me so many other things that made my experience way better than what I had in mind. Is amazing how you come here with the idea that you are going to help a village with some needs and at the end of the day you get to know that the impact that this type of communities do in you is probably bigger. Honestly could not think of a better experience to open up my mind and think about how I want to change the things that surround me and maybe in that way create a better future to live in.

I made the most amazing memories during the 2 months I spent with GVI Chiang Mai. Getting to see elephants up close in the wild was truly a magnificent experience and something I will never forget. It was not just the elephants that made the experience amazing. The community of Huay Pakoot, is something really to behold. Getting to live amongst a community that is so far removed from what we can imagine from western society, is honestly one of the most eye opening experiences i’ve Ever had.
I also met some truly amazing people during my time there. Some of which I would now consider life long friends.
I would recommend this programme to anybody, young and old. It’s draws in people from all facets of life. I want to go back as soon as I possibly can, and can not wait.

After enjoying my time down south working with the turtles I decided to return to Thailand and spend some time with the elephants. I volunteered for 4 weeks and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I hadn’t ever travelled solo before and this experience was a great first step. Mornings consisted of early rises and a hike to visit the elephants. Each hike was completely different as the elephants are always moving around the forest. Our Mahouts were there to help every step of the way, directing us with the safest routes in the overgrown forest. This programme offers more than just quality time with the elephants, it allows you so immerse yourself in their culture. From chatting to the mahouts on hikes to weaving bags with the local women to playing football with the children at school. In just a short period of 4 weeks I met friends that I will stay friends with for years to come. Volunteers are encouraged to do work after leaving the programme so there’s always new ways to get involved and help the programme from back home.

I was able to put myself out my comfort zone but had 15 or so other volunteers to support me. I was able to meet people from all over the world and hear about their lives back home and how they varied to my own. It will be an experience you will always cherish, you learn to live without the luxuries you have back home and it’s such a refreshing experience.

All it took was 24 hours in Hauy Pakoot to convince me that this would not be the last I see of the village and the wonderful people in the village and the programme! I cannot stress enough that this is a programme everyone should do at least once in their life. The impact that this programme and the people who run it have on the community of Hauy Pakoot is clear to see as soon as you arrive, they really have immersed themselves, with volunteers making life long friends with not only each other but the locals as well! Is it any surprise that volunteers keep going back, sometimes 7 times? I'd like to say thank you to the amazing staff and people of Hauy Pakoot for the life changing experience and I'll see you all in a year for a 3 month internship!

Volunteering with GVI in Phang Nga was the most rewarding opportunity! I spent two weeks teaching English in a small rural village in southern Thailand. Even in the short time I volunteered, I managed to make long-lasting friends and experience so much more than your average traveller. The kids were great fun and definitely made the experience more energetic! Food was amazing and catered for everyone, fresh Thai food cooked twice a day by local villagers. GVI have an amazing relationship with the community and you can tell the local villagers respect the development and education they offer. Aspects were challenging but this made the project increasingly worthwhile and humbling. The atmosphere on base is so friendly and I would love to volunteer with GVI again in the future!