GVI, Ethical Impact. Volunteer in Thailand

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!

GVI Chiang Mai highlighted the importance of merging community projects with conservation projects. Whether you're in a classroom or in the mountains with the elephants, every experience is both important and exciting! I would recommend the program to anyone, irrespective of future prospects or current situation... I wish I could have stayed for much longer! If you get the opportunity, ensure that you go on all of the hikes, have conversations with everyone and immerse yourself into the culture. Before you arrive, you may fear the change in culture but once you're here, the immersion is not only fun but welcoming and easy to adapt.
Also, if you go to Mae Chaem make sure to buy the pink fruit with the spikes on it! (It's called Rambootan).

I spent two weeks at the Chiang Mai GVI hub, and it was an amazing experience. The activity schedule is well planned out, so you always have something fun and interesting to keep you occupied, from elephant hikes in the morning to river trips with the children from the village. The eight elephants GVI have in their program are well cared for and are allowed to wander freely in the wild, which was a beautiful thing to see. They all have brilliant personalities and it was great being able to get to know them.

For me personally the thing I loved most was how ingrained in the local Karen culture you are, you get regular lessons in the local language and the homestay families make you feel very welcome. It definitely becomes a place that is hard to leave!

After finishing my first year at university in 2016, I realised that education was not fulfilling my life aspirations and I was desperate to find something to fill that space. I have always been a keen traveler and have been fortunate enough to have visited a variety of different cultures and countries throughout my 20 years. Unfortunately for me, volunteering abroad would prove more challenging than the average 20-something year old. Living with Cerebral Palsy and being a wheelchair user, the usual kinds of volunteering such as building houses or schools was not an option. On top of this, I was also looking to support young children with similar issues who may not have had the same opportunities and support which I have had and so I needed to find a company who was open-minded enough to take on the challenge and have me. After years of searching and many rejections, I finally found GVI. From my initial enquiry with the GVI recruitment team, to arriving at base, GVI embraced me with open arms and supported me to continue my work as a disability activist, by assigning me to develop a new program and exercise for the young disabled individuals at the Camillion centre. The base team enabled me to not only be involved in my assigned project, but also allowed me to participate in the other amazing work that they were doing at the time including assisting with the conservation program. Apart from finding a project which fits not only my requirements but also my passions, I was keen to embark on an experience which also fulfilled my social needs and to meet new like-minded people. The project allowed me to meet, live and work alongside a variety of individuals from all walks of life, those of which I would not have necessarily encountered in any other circumstances. From a personal perspective, for me, this was the longest and furthest I have spent away from home, and in truth I did not know whether this would be achievable, but it obviously was, and even exceeded my expectation in more ways than one. Now that I have completed the project, I have never looked back and I have just enrolled to do it all again and create a stronger link with the Camillion centre this year, but this time - I’m going for longer!

This was the first GVI program I had my eyes on, and the second one I volunteered with. I headed to Chiang Mai, Thailand in March 2018 to originally volunteer for 4 weeks, but it ended up being 26 weeks. After my first 2 weeks I switched into the short-term internship and added 2 more weeks. Upon completion I was hired as field staff on a 6 month contract. Now why would I do that, because the village, Huay Pakoot, is absolutely remarkable. GVI has created a unique relationship with the villagers, which is something that can't be understood unless you go there yourself.

A bit about life on project: You arrive to Chiang Mai and stay at a hotel/resort for your first night - meeting your intake crew (including a couple staff members). On Sunday after a few pit stops and a long, twisty ride you arrive in the village. Someone takes you to your homestay to dump you pack, then it's back to base for supper and introductions. Monday is an early start (as is all the other days), because you head for hike at 7:30am. Where the elephants are located varies your hike difficultly and length, so does the season you come in, it could be very dry or very VERY wet. The afternoons are spent a number of different ways: muddling through an English lesson at the school, watching a presentation, attempting to learn Pakinyaw, or just soaking up the vibes. Evenings are spent doing a number of different activities as well: again, muddling through an English lesson with an adult villager, enjoying dinner at your homestay, watching a movie at base, partaking in a night hike and so much more! I recommend staying no less than 2 weeks, 4 is usually the best. This way you have enough time to get a taste of what Huay Pakoot has to offer and explore Northern Thailand a bit!

Conditions: Don't expect the Hilton! You are a guest to someone’s home, this includes their sleeping, toilet and eating customs. Do your research on what to expect.

When you first sign up its maybe because of Thailand but primarily because of the elephants, but you end up staying longer because of the village.

This was the first GVI program I had my eyes on, and the second one I volunteered with. I headed to Chiang Mai, Thailand in March 2018 to originally volunteer for 4 weeks, but it ended up being 26 weeks. After my first 2 weeks I switched into the short-term internship and added 2 more weeks. Upon completion I was hired as field staff on a 6 month contract. Now why would I do that, because the village, Huay Pakoot, is absolutely remarkable. GVI has created a unique relationship with the villagers, which is something that can't be understood unless you go there yourself.

A bit about life on project: You arrive to Chiang Mai and stay at a hotel/resort for your first night - meeting your intake crew (including a couple staff members). On Sunday after a few pit stops and a long, twisty ride you arrive in the village. Someone takes you to your homestay to dump you pack, then it's back to base for supper and introductions. Monday is an early start (as is all the other days), because you head for hike at 7:30am. Where the elephants are located varies your hike difficultly and length, so does the season you come in, it could be very dry or very VERY wet. The afternoons are spent a number of different ways: muddling through an English lesson at the school, watching a presentation, attempting to learn Pakinyaw, or just soaking up the vibes. Evenings are spent doing a number of different activities as well: again, muddling through an English lesson with an adult villager, enjoying dinner at your homestay, watching a movie at base, partaking in a night hike and so much more! I recommend staying no less than 2 weeks, 4 is usually the best. This way you have enough time to get a taste of what Huay Pakoot has to offer and explore Northern Thailand a bit!

Conditions: Don't expect the Hilton! You are a guest to someone’s home, this includes their sleeping, toilet and eating customs. Do your research on what to expect.

When you first sign up its maybe because of Thailand but primarily because of the elephants, but you end up staying longer because of the village.

GVI has taught me much more than how to look after elephants in Thailand.
It taught me how to interact with people of different culture and background.
It taught me to respect and appreciate different ways of life.
It taught me to push my boundaries and to acknowledge my accomplishments.
It created a strong foundation on which I have built my character and discovered what kind of person I wanted to be.
GVI is a program that gives opportunity for people who want to see more than just their own backyards.
My month in Thailand was the hardest, most physically challenging, and greatest month of my life. I accomplished things I never even dreamed of. I pushed myself past my limit and it felt amazing!
The world is BIG, and GVI helps you to see it all.