GVI, Ethical Impact. Volunteer in Thailand

My experience abroad over the past two weeks here has been truly amazing. Having to leave here now is sad, but being able to take forward everything that I have learnt and experienced will better me as a person.

To describe my experience I'd start by saying that when you first arrive buy a sim card that can work in the country you're going to as I made the mistake not to and ended up having the tuk tuk to the hostel as I had gone to the wrong gate at the airport, just missing the staff member who was waiting. The sim card will also come into handy when you're in the village as it is nice to talk to your family every now and then and wifi is very weak.

Apart from this small slip up, which I was to blame, the introduction to the team, risk assessments, and training that you go through in your first week is very comforting, clear and supportive which meant that I felt fully welcomed the moment is stepped onto this project.

Something that I would highly recommend and commend is the amount of activities, on top of the elephant hikes, that the staff work hard on providing each day. In my time here I've done bio hikes, learnt the basics of the language here, learnt how to cook local dishes, heard stories from elders, done charity walks, made bamboo cups with the mahouts, etc etc. The list really does go on, and based on the fact that I have only been here two weeks, I find that truly amazing.

The thing that I am surely never going to forget is the 57 km walk we did as a group to raise money to support three of the elephants that they support here. The walk itself was from the village to Mae Chaem and followed the route the elephants would have walked. Although I was sun burnt, my feet blistered and my legs knackered from the two day walk, I had such an amazing time. It really gave me a chance to talk to so many people and was so much fun. But don't worry, if walking isn't for you most weekends they do trips to many places as there are so many stunning places that surround the village.

Finally, I'll address the elephant in the room (literally). The experience that I had here with the elephants and the ethical tourism that they're trying to set up here is truly one to none and the fact that I now have the skills to take data on Asian elephants is something that will help me in the field that I am just starting to approach, putting me ahead in the job hunt. The elephants that I met during these two weeks were so beautiful and it made me so happy to see them in their natural habitat, but it is also amazing that I can take the information on ethical tourism in elephants with me home, to tell my friends and family, so that this can be spread and hopefully soon we can have a change in the way elephants are treated in Thailand.

I really hope what I've said here is hopefully, and if I had any last advice is that would recommend choosing four weeks or more as by the end of two weeks you truly start to settle, as I have, and it is so sad that I have to leave, when I feel another two weeks would have been perfect.

This has been my first experience travelling alone and GVI Chiang Mai has not only accommodated me but made me feel more comfortable than I ever could have imagined. From the efficient airport pick ups to the array of community activities that constantly keep you occupied and immersed in the local community here in Huay Pakoot. Whilst the elephant hikes enable you to appreciate the work of the mahouts as well as the beauty of the animals themselves, for me it has been being continuously surrounded by like-minded and frankly quite inspirational people that has made this experience what it was. There is never a moment on base when people aren't laughing or just engaged in conversations with others they never would have crossed paths with otherwise. I for sure have gained some life-long friends here and that makes what we're doing here feel even more meaningful if that is at all possible. Obviously the long term goal is to pass the initiative of caring and keeping the elephants in the wild on to the local community, however as of now it feels to me like a completely mutualistic relationship whereby we work hand in hand and both seize opportunities to learn from the other. So, I cannot recommend this project enough without sounding annoyingly preachy, but I'm going to do it anyway because this has been the best experience of my life and even the minor hardships such as homesickness don't even nearly compare to the extent I have gained from coming to GVI Chiang Mai.

I had no idea what to expect in coming to a remote village in the hillside of northern Thailand for a month. I was so nervous it being my first time traveling alone to a new country, but the staff and volunteers here at GVI Chiang Mai were so welcoming and friendly I felt immediately at home in the small village of Huay Pakoot. My time here has flown by and I feel so grateful to have found such an incredible programme which immerses you into the Karen culture and promotes ethical elephant tourism. I would highly recommend this project to anyone interested in animal conservation or up for an experience of a lifetime.

Animals, the environment and the diversity of our world's cultures have long been a keen interest of mine. So when I saw an opportunity with GVI to get involved and make an impact in all three, I didn't hesitate, it just ticked every box! Looking back I can say it was hands down the BEST decision I have ever made.

I’d lucked out for my first day in the remote village of Huay Pakoot. It was the end of rice season. And for the Karen people, the end of rice season is cause for celebration. Instead of the usual itinerary of hiking to see and collect data on the elephants, our itinerary was to; mingle, eat delicious food and drink even more delicious rice whisky! Imagine a family barbecue, but village-wide. This was a brilliant way to really get to know the villagers and also for them to get to know us.

An average day starts with beautiful views and even more beautiful elephants. Hiking to the elephants every morning quickly became one of my favourite things to do. Not only are you surrounded by breathtaking scenery but knowing you’re actually helping to keep these magnificent creatures in the wild, where they belong, is a wonderful feeling. One of the best parts of this program is you actively take part in helping collect research on the elephants. This is then passed on to the Thai government so you really feel like you’re doing something truly worthwhile too.

It’s not only the elephants who you can help though. There are regular afternoon trips to the local school to help teach lessons to the kids. Stick around after school and you’ll be begged to join in the footie, but watch out, they’re deceptively good! Don’t fancy working with kids? No problem, there’s loads of other ways to help out and get involved with the village community. Just ask and get yourself stuck in!

Every single GVI staff member I've had the pleasure of communicating with have been FANTASTIC. Everyone; the pre-departure team, the field staff, the alumni & ambassador heads, will bend over backwards to help you make as big of an impact as possible. The best part is whoever you speak to it feels like you're catching up with an old friend, the're that welcoming and friendly!

Overall GVI Chiang Mai is a fantastic place where you can meet new people and experience things you may never experience again. Coming to the village of Huay Pakoot is a wonderful culture shock, although it is definitely an adjustment compared to every day life. However the wonderful villagers and other volunteers and staff make the adjustment a lot easier.
The highlight of coming to Huay Pakoot is obviously getting to see the elephants in there natural habitat. Although getting to know the villagers and getting involved in their everyday life is also an unexpected high of the programme. It is amazing how welcoming the villagers are. The experience has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone and I would love to come one day in the new future.

I really enjoyed this experience, it takes you out of your comfort zone. You need to be open to live the full experience.
I loved staying at my homestay, they are so kind and sweet, the food is delicious, at the beginning it was a little hard to understand them and communicate with them, but at the end language cross frontiers. I wish we could spend a longer time the elephants I love how dedicated everyone is for the elephants, to keep them in their natural habitat and let them be free (not at all, but almost completely), I learned so many things about them and environmental preservation.

I met incredible people from all over the world, with the same objective as me, I got so many new friends, and what I like the most is that we get to share different points of view in a respectful environment and freely be my true self. I came here with an idea, it wasn't exactly what I expected, but it's totally worth it, I'll love to come back again.

The best part about this project was the broad range of opportunities included. This experience was so much more than *just* an elephant reintroduction project. Each day, I was an active member of the Huay Pakoot community where I felt so welcome and at home. From practicing a new language to learning how to make baskets and bamboo art, I found it easy to really submerge myself into the Karen culture. The dedication of the staff on this project, as well as the close relationships they have created with the village are what make this project possible. I would recommend this project to just about anyone because I truly believe there is something here for everyone. To future volunteers, my advice to you is to enjoy every minute of your time here because it goes by way too fast!

Hi! I’m Ryan Kennedy, and I spent ten weeks volunteering in GVI Elephant Project in Huay Pakoot, Chiang Mai. I was currently studying at university and off for the summer, so I decided very early on that I wanted to do some volunteering abroad and experience the culture. I was conceivably nervous as it was my first time travelling solo. I went ahead after some research and found GVI when I decided to book.

On arrival, all my nerves were quelled as soon as I met up with staff member Myles and two other volunteers. Immediately I felt welcomed and excited to arrive at the village. On arrival at the village and after getting settled in time passed so quickly and every day was so enjoyable. It was such a pleasant experience ethically seeing the elephants and getting to interact with the volunteers/staff and the local villagers. The village itself was hard to describe. I believe all the volunteers agreed we would miss it dearly. The elephant hikes where the reason I came, and they did not disappoint. I felt I learned so much more with the data collection and local biodiversity hikes.

After many weeks it was nearing my time to return home. After spending so much time there it began to feel like a second home, and I began to get very comfortable there. Had it not been for University starting again I would’ve extended my stay without a doubt. Overall the most fantastic experience I’ve ever had, and I can’t thank GVI enough for the great staff and friends for life that I’ve made.

On returning home, my entire mindset had changed. I am more aware of how I can promote change at a local level and continue work in conservation. I still feel very connected to the village. The whole experience was an absolute blast and I cannot wait to return!