Laos Travel Forum

Hello, Hope someone can help.
I am a teacher who has been lucky enough to be given a career break from work to do volunteary work/travel for 4 months. I will be travelling through Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and then on to OZ, New Zealand and Argentina.
I have looked for literally hours on the net and unfortunately have only found companies supposedly 'offering' volunatry trips but at ridiculous prices, sometimes over £2000! I cant understand why this is charged! I would be able to provide my own accommodation and travel. All I want to do is offer my skills in a school, orphanage, or anywhere that needs help. I can work for between 1 and 2 weeks. I hope to do this in most of the countries I go to.
Please could anyone help? Do you know of any charities that would like support? or need any help. My current school have offered to do some fund raising on my behalf (nearer my departure)....therefore I would also be bringing much needed funds.
Any advice or help would be great!
Thanks

I am a 26 year old female, travelling Jan 2010

You don't give us a clue as to where you are coming from or whether you have any specialist teaching skills, languages etc.

If I were you I would start by looking into overseas charities based in your own country; look for ones involved in the welfare and education of children and young people and select those that you could write to for further advice.

Contact churches in your area - many provide humanitarian aid and have "adopted" schools and orphanages overseas.

One of my oldest friends and former colleague has established an education and welfare centre in South Africa and I know from her that volunteers who "bob in and out" can sometimes be disruptive to the planned programmes of the centre, and a systematic approach to the work being undertaken there may be critical.
In some situations there may be a statutory need to take up formally references
of people engaged in direct work with children.

I have an inkling that you are based in the southern hemisphere - had you been UK based I might have been able to point you more directly towards specific information....

Good luck with your venture. I hope you find an outlet for your desire to assist and that any work you are able to undertake will be rewarding.

in case you have the required skills,waldorf/steiner schools in the asian countries that you mentioned may be willing to let you help.just google search on waldorf/steiner schools in the respective countries and you are bound to find an address or contact.like the previous poster mentioned it would help if we know your areas of interest or your forte.
all the best,

hi there..
here are excellent place to start:
http://www.wildasia.net/main.cfm?page=article&articleID=454
http://www.wildasia.net/main.cfm?page=article&articleID=317
http://www.whoa-adventures.com/GeneralAdventuresPage/VolunteerProgram/tabid/267/Default.aspx

also if you are visiting sarawak(borneo), malaysia, end april 2009...
http://www.whoa-adventures.com/GeneralAdventuresPage/JungleMountainTrekking/HeadhuntersTrailandPinnacles/tabid/136/Default.aspx

have fun!

hi there..
here are excellent place to start:
http://www.wildasia.net/main.cfm?page=article&articleID=454
http://www.wildasia.net/main.cfm?page=article&articleID=317
http://www.whoa-adventures.com/GeneralAdventuresPage/VolunteerProgram/tabid/267/Default.aspx

also if you are visiting sarawak(borneo), malaysia, end april 2009...
http://www.whoa-adventures.com/GeneralAdventuresPage/JungleMountainTrekking/HeadhuntersTrailandPinnacles/tabid/136/Default.aspx

have fun!

I am basedin the UK, and am a Primary skilled teacher. Thanks for the advice, I am on the case!

ah - so my "inkling" was not only wrong but upside down! Good Luck!