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Provide Support to Victims of Human Trafficking

Volunteer abroad human trafficking Thailand building

Location Thailand
Start Date First and third Saturday of every month
Duration
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The Project

Volunteer on a project in Thailand and help to provide better lives and futures for women who have little or no resources, are forced to work in the sex trade. Based outside of Chiang Mai, it is a multi-faceted project which you can choose where to put the majority of your efforts during your stay,

This project centres on those vulnerable communities who are prone to the human trafficking of young girls from minority groups, into the sex industry. The project works closely with both the local and international community to prevent child trafficking and provide services to those who are at risk of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. We work closely with our partners on the ground to provide education to communities about the treatment of the women who are sold into the sex trade, as well as providing support for those registering on government schemes. The project also works to provide a shelter for rescued girls, and works to educate various other vulnerable adults and girls.

Volunteers working on this project will predominately centre around the shelter for the rescued girls, which provides a safe place for the girls to live and receive an education.

There are 15 girls living in the home now, and the project works on a 2 pronged approach.
-Educating those women who are attempting to sell their children by suggesting alternatives to them to generate an income.
-Helping the girls who have been sold into the trade.
Why the project needs you

The sex industry is a major issue within Thailand, with many forced to work either because of financial poverty or through physical or emotional pressure and even human trafficking. These projects all help these women in desperate situations move toward self-sufficiency. The women learn their own value and develop self-confidence. They are taught to see their situations in new ways, encouraged to solve their own problems, and strengthened to shape their own destinies. Social development, education, business, English teaching and childcare are all areas that need attention. With so many areas to cover volunteers are essential, especially those with knowledge and expertise to help these women and children develop and sustain a brighter future.

Project Location

The shelter is located in Mae Rim, a rural area approximately 40 minutes by bus from Chiang Mai's city centre. The city of Chiang Mai is considered to be Thailand's second most important city and one of its largest. Despite this, it remains a tenth of the size of Bangkok, with an estimated 400,000 people living in the greater urban area of the city. Eighty percent of the local population is 'Khon Muang' (Northern folk) and they speak a slightly different dialect to the central Thai language.

Chiang Mai, founded in 1296, is constructed as a square with a moat to mark its boundaries and safeguard the people within with a bastion at each corner. Today these landmarks remain to form the overwhelmingly unique character of the city.

Agriculture, mainly fruit, vegetables and some rice cultivation, is the mainstay of the local economy. In the past 10 years, tourism has become an increasingly important economic growth point for the city. Other industries include cottage industry, handicraft production, exporting, small scale business and manufacturing.
Project Facts

• Duration: 2 - 12 weeks
• Cost: £840 ($1470) for 2 weeks, £100 ($175) for each week thereafter
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Project activities: Teaching English and/or skills workshops, childcare, ground maintenance, helping to build the school and organic farm, helping on outreach projects
• Working hours: Wednesday - Sunday, working with the girls is in the evening and at weekends
• Project Availability: Project starts 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.
What is included

•Accommodation: Single or shared room on site
•Food: 3 meals per day – Breakfast and Dinner
•Airport pick up
•Transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
• Pre-departure information pack
•Training: Orientation
•Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator
•Free wi-fi (whilst on the project site)
•Weekly cooking class
•Excursion Planning: staff will help organise activities and excursions (some activities may cost extra)
What is not included

•Flights
•Insurance
•Visas
•Saturday evening meal and food all day Sunday
• Return from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
• Airport transfer in Bangkok at the end of the project

Role of the volunteer

Daily life at the shelter can vary from being fun, busy and exciting to quiet and relaxed. During weekdays (Mon – Friday) all of the girls are at school from 7am until about 4pm. Both, after school and on the weekends is usually the time when volunteers can schedule to do some activities with the girls; workshops, teaching English, crafts, PC skills or any other area you might like to get involved in. During the week, we provide a cooking class, information session/talks on child trafficking and market trips, we also encourage volunteers to get involved on our organic farm and help keep the shelter a beautiful place.

During the daytime the work going on at the moment is the development of organic vegetable patches for the girls at the centre – both to become more self sufficient, as well as providing additional gardening skills for the girls. They are also working tirelessly to build 2 new classrooms and mushroom huts – in a further attempt to educate the women of the hill tribes about how to make a more sustainable living for themselves by growing and selling mushrooms. This process is relatively easy and cheap to set up and provide worthwhile incomes instead of having to sell their children into the trade. These projects are the type of projects that you can get involved in during the day whilst the girls are still at school.
Skills Required

No specific skills are required, but a compassion for the situation that has led these women to get involved in the sex industry is very important. Any skills or experience relating to social work or teaching are a bonus. Some placements within this project require long-term volunteers but many are available for short term. We will shape your placement around your skills, interests and length of stay.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

Volunteers stay on-site in a separate wing to the girls at the shelter, in most cases, they share their room with other volunteers. Three meals a day are provided, all of which are included in the placement fees.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your in-country orientation by our coordinator in Bangkok, who will take you on a city tour of the cultural highlights. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area. Following this orientation you will be transferred to your project-site where you will receive a project-specific orientation to prepare you for your volunteer work.

Language Classes

At the beginning of your stay the in-country team will provide basic language classes to help you during your time on your placement.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.