Agency | Love Volunteers
The program
This wonderful project was created with the goal of helping to improve the education of Thailand’s Buddhist monks. Love Volunteers works with a local organization that offers free programs involving teaching novice Buddhist monks English in temple schools. The volunteers’ role in the classroom depends on the school as well as their own comfort level. Volunteers will be paired with a Thai teacher and have the option of simply helping out with daily lessons, or if confident, can jump straight in and start taking their own lessons. Many of the monks volunteers teach would have lived relatively sheltered lives, having joined the monasteries at a very young age. This program teaches the monks more about other cultures and places, allowing for shared cross cultural teaching and understanding.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide free lessons to Buddhist monks, helping them to improve their English language skills
- Expose non-English speakers to native English speakers in order to improve pronunciation and conversational skills
- Expose volunteers and Buddhist monks to different people and cultures
How you can help
This essential program teaches young novice monks something that will last them a lifetime. Volunteers impart skills in English and teach the novice monks more about the world outside, opening up a whole new world to those participating. In return, volunteers can learn about Buddhist philosophy, which is strictly followed by the monks in their daily lives and all about the culture of this wonderful country. Flexibility is the key for volunteers on this program, as there are a number of other things that volunteers can help with, including helping children with their homework, arranging games and activities, cleaning the classroom and assisting teachers with day to day administrative duties. The time volunteers will spend in class depends on the school’s needs as well as the time of year. Generally, volunteers will be in front of students anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week. Volunteers with plenty of ambition can donate more time planning and possibly helping out with projects at school.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Help teach English to novice monks
- Play games, and read to others in English
- Teach general knowledge and skills
- Assist the teacher with administrative duties and cleaning the classroom
Typical day
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
7:00am Breakfast in the Volunteer House
7:45am Travel to the Buddhist Temple School
8:15am Pre-start meeting with program supervisor
8:30am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
Volunteers break for lunch, provided at the Volunteer House, for several hours each day as per the local custom.
4:30pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
4:45pm De-brief with the program supervisor
Evening Volunteers have free time in the evening to relax in the comfort of the volunteer house and prepare their evening meal or explore the city and dine out at one of the many eatery options.
Details on Arrival
Free-time activities
Program Requirements
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
- Airport pick-up on arrival
- Orientation & full safety briefing
- Accommodation
- Breakfast provided & Lunch provided on weekdays
- 24/7 local support network
- Project placement & onsite supervision
- Registration Fee included
You will be met on arrival into Chiang Mai by our local representative and taken back to the Volunteer House to settle in, relax and meet with fellow volunteers and your hosts. The following day the Orientation Weekend begins, designed to give an insight into Thai culture, learn some basic Thai words and phrases, negotiate the public transport system, including getting to and from your project and basically set you up to get the very most out of your placement from day one. The two day orientation is a great chance to see a little of this fascinating city with the help of expert guides and in the company of other volunteers. It will also allow you to purchase a local SIM and data package should you wish, withdraw or exchange Thai Baht and ask any last minute questions.
- Arrival Day: FRIDAY 8AM - 8PM
- Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival Airport: Chiang Mai International Airport, Chiang Mai, Thailand (Code: CNX)
Volunteers on this program are accommodated in a volunteer house conveniently located within easy reach of the city. Rooms are dormitory style and split by gender with 2 – 4 volunteers sharing.
All rooms are air-conditioned for comfort and the house has all the amenities a volunteer requires including western-style bathrooms, hot running water, bed linen (volunteers should bring their own towels and toiletries), kitchen and laundry facilities and Wi-Fi available 24 hours a day. Easy!
Accommodation on this program includes daily breakfast at the volunteer house and lunch on weekdays at the program site (included in the program fee). Dinners are self-catered which provides an excellent opportunity to explore the city and dine at one of the numerous eateries offering Thai or international cuisine. Volunteers are also welcome to make use of the kitchen facilities at the volunteer house to prepare meals.
Thai dishes use an abundance of fresh ingredients, herbs and spices and are a taste sensation. Be sure to try the coconut based curries such as Kaeng Khiao Wan’ (Thai Green Curry) and fruit based salads such as pomelo and green mango. Delicious!
Program Fees
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