Volunteer Learning Vacation

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Trang

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description:
Introduction
The Volunteer Learning Vacation Program is a three week Thai culture and lifestyle immersion home-stay adventure - in a small beach resort town called "Trang" (south of Phuket), hosted by a family, consisting of a trained sociologist, a social anthropologist and an environmentalist who are health conscious, nature loving and internationally educated. We will provide you with first - hand objective information about Thailand, Trang and most important an understanding of the ancient sea gypsy village culture and traditions so different from anything you have ever experienced.

Learn simple short-cuts in Thai cooking, tropical fruit juice & herbal drinks making, batik art painting, and acquire some Thai language at a "survival" level so that you would have a better appreciation of the Thai local way of life.

The Learning Vacation takes place at The Back-To-Nature Resorts - a group of small eco-resorts located in the beautiful Chao Mai Marine Park of Trang. Adopting good environmental management systems, its income goes towards nature conservation and local sea gypsy welfare activities. As part of its non-profit arm, it is Nature Academy's vision and mission to network with nature lovers all around the world as a stepping stone towards the sustainable tourism development process. It is with this in mind that we invite volunteers to work with us in our in-house projects.

This volunteer program is like a working holiday. It is an experience that you will get no where else, and definitely one that you will remember for a long time. Please see below for more information on our program

Purpose
To enable international tourists to contribute to the environment and the local communities they come in contact with. As we move towards globalization, tiny islands which were once never exposed to the outside world are now being exploited for mass tourism and illegal gains and negative western influences. The purpose of volunteers is to contribute to the sea gyspy community in which we are located and learn from them as much as you can teach them. Your positive actions and care for their people and their nature will have a positive influence on their livelihood. For you personally, the effect will be seen in a sense of community achievement and personal growth and maturity in life's purpose. You will be more confident and independent and learn to connect with local and indigenous people at a very personal level.

What's so Special about Sea Gypsies
The list is endless. The chance to work alongside sea gyspies is an experience that money cannot buy. In such a developed western society where we have every convenience at hand, this trip will take you back a thousand years in time as these special kind of people are as ancient as the dinosaurs. Misunderstood and rejected from the streamline of the modern Thai society, sea gypsies were people who once lived on the water, literally sailing from place to place on their wooden boats. They settled along the islands of the Andaman - and at Chao Mai Village pier and Libong Island, a small community started to develop and settle down. They no longer wanted to be nomads but they still had to rely on the sea for their bread and butter.

Some people tell us not to call them sea gyspies as it is like degrading them, but we do not hold the same view as we believe that life should be celebrated for who we are. We should encourage them to be proud of their identity. A foreigner coming to work alongside with them, sharing a meal with them and spending time talking to them and wanting to know more about their way of life will lead to them being proud of their existence and result in the preservation of their traditional livelihood and culture.

What We are Not About
We are not about mass tourism. Have you seen the hilltribe people in Chiangmai? Exploited like animals in the zoo for tourists - this is not how we want things to develop. By coming in as a volunteer, you are coming in as a member of our family and in turn with our introduction, you will soon be immersed into the sea gyspy life and culture that is so different from your own.

Projects that can Get You Involved in (at the resort)
Special projects are created to cater to individual interests and skills. Whether you are a musician, artists, photographer, carpenter or landscape artist, you are welcomed to apply and discuss project possibilities. Or if you don't have any qualifications and really want to give it a go, write to us and tell us and we are sure to find some talent hidden away somewhere. Some example of projects done by our volunteers were - painting muriels on the doors of the resort and performance stage; helping to fix a house in the resort compound so that the sea gypsy staff can live in it; helping to design cards for a post tsunami recovery project etc. Apart from taking part in your own creative in-house project, you will also be expected to be involved in the daily housekeeping and management of the resort assisted by the sea gypsies in employment.

The Family You will be Living With
The team leader is Dr. Laurence, who is a Professor of Anthropology and an expert on the Sea gypsies and their way of life. Professor Laurence is a volunteer resident manager and one of the founders. Educated in Australia as a development economist and social anthropologist, Prof Laurence retired from Mahidol University in Bangkok and went on to play a leading role in encouraging international exchange amongst environmentalists throughout the world. Other members of the family will be introduced upon your arrival and not forgetting our friendly team of resort workers from the village who are always excited about working with foreigners and are ready to take care of you in every aspect.

Why Volunteer Overseas
The Volunteer Learning Vacation Program will enable you to make a personal contribution in a local community in this era of globalization. Living, learning and experiencing Thai local culture and Sea Gypsy Village lifestyle will be an experience that you will never get as a tourist. It is a life changing moment where you will share your enthusiasm, time, skills and energy with the local sea gypsies and become part of their lives. Your interest and care in their lifestyle and culture will lead to appreciation and preservation of their cultural heritage so distinct from the local mainstream society. It is through this interaction that cultural understanding can be fostered between people from all walks of life.

Highlights: Checklist of Fun Things that you will experience in this program

Eco tours

1. Stroll along an empty beach in one of the most beautiful marine parks in southern Thailand.
2. Spend some nights in the sea gypsy village retreat right in the sea gypsy village. Experience a simple way of life of a fishing village by the sea. Observe the sounds and sights of the indigenous people 's lifestyle undergoing a process of social change brought about by tourism in their area.
3. Canoe/Kayak to the Pirates' cave in the marine park. Learn about the ecology of the marine life and why Thailand is the food factory for the world. (We are one of the largest world's exporters of sea food, fresh fruits and vegetables.)
4. Enjoy a tropical island retreat with the sound of the lapping waves, a beautiful sunset, a fantastic bay view, a secluded beach, the freshest catch of the day, and the "living" aquariums along the shore when the tide goes down.
5. Patronise the gypsy night market in Kantang, an old port town.
6. Take a stroll in the morning wet market in town and see different kinds of fish, seafood, fruit and vegetable.
7. Nature walks in the tropical rain forest.
8. Island hopping and snorkeling where the underwater wedding ceremony takes place annually on the Valentine's Day.
9. Go on a dugong tracking safari and bird watching expedition.
10. Learn about oil palm and rubber tapping activities, the main occupations of the island and city people.

Vacation School - How to Programs

1. Lean the secrets of what makes Thai food the World Class cuisine. Learn 10 Thai Gourmet dishes. We stress on " healthy" cooking know-how.
2. Learn techniques of how to cook Thai jasmine rice - an easy way.
3. Learn how to make 5 Thai vegetarian dishes, more exciting than just stir fry vegetables.
4. Learn the shortcuts of batik painting. Modify techniques to create your own style and transfer the joy and the fun including the know- how to the people back home.
5. Learn 20 carefully chosen words/sentences a day (totalling about 400 Thai words and sentences for you to communicate freely with the Thai people). We hope that you will reach a level of competency to the extent of being able to "survive" in Thailand as a volunteer or long term visitor.
6. Learn how to appreciate at least 10 types of edible oriental herbs that can help alleviate common ailments such as heart disease, diabetics, etc.
7. Learn about the miracles of Aloe Vera and how it can improve your health.
8. Learn how to enjoy making a variety of fresh fruit juices and herbal drinks which will keep your body in tip-top condition.
9. Learn how to shop wisely for your daily needs in a Thai local fresh market.

Health/Wellness

1. Have a foot massage performed by a Thai professional massage therapist.
2. Have a body massage which will help you relieve your aches and pain, and revitalize your body.
3. Learn 10 easy morning exercises using a bamboo stick, to help you keep fit.

Others:

1. Work in a resort or community project for the benefit of the village or international visitors.
2. Have a meal in a sea gypsy home and take part in their daily activities. Play football with the local teenagers in the village or teach English to young children.
3. Participate in local festivities during the time you are here.
4. Enjoy a very local Karaoke night.

And many more..

Whether you are here for the first time or for a short time, this Learning Vacation through a home-stay with us would definitely enrich your life experience of another exotic culture, and would bring forth a fond memory to be cherished for years to come.

Cost in US$: 3800

Duration: 21 days
Application Deadline: At least 4 weeks before the beginning of the program

Program:

Each program is tailormade to suit the individual volunteer's needs and skills. Projects will be discussed in advance and your program will be sent to you prior to your arrival.

Cost includes:

1. Accommodation : 20 nights accommodation at Nature Resorts, by the sea front (Haadyao Nature Resort), on the farm/ plantation (Nature Farm Resort) and on the island (Libong Nature Beach Resort, Libong Island (Nov-May)-Twin sharing with private bath, air-conditioned, except with fan, for the island stay.
2. All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, tea & coffee, Juices). Vegetarian meals provided at no extra cost. Beers and Soft drinks not included but sold to volunteers at special discounted staff price.
3. All tours and cultural activities that you join with other tourist. Excludes Marine Park Entrance Fee for foreigners.
4. All tuition and materials needed for classes in Thai language, Thai cooking, Tropical Fruit Juice & Herbal Drinks - Making, Thai Arts & Crafts classes such as Batik painting and Greeting card making.
5. All data, information, consultancy provided.
6. Resident Group Leader, who speaks English and Thai fluently.
7. All transportation if traveling with your host family. If you venture out on your own on days off, then you have to pay the cost of travel.
8. Free use of kayaks, snorkeling equipment and bicycles to explore the marine park on free days.
9. 50% discount on use of internet service at the resort.

Cost excludes:

1. International Air Fair from your home to Bangkok and then to Trang. The program starts upon your arrival in Trang.
2. Pre-program option (prior to the commencement of the program) or post program tour option.
3. Personal travel and medical insurance.
4. Items of personal nature.
5. Tips.
6. Marine Park Entrance Fees.
7. Extra weeks which can be added at additional cost of a discounted price of US 750 a week.

Notice of cancellation:

This must be made in writing to our email and you must receive acknowledgment and our confirmation in order for the cancellation to be valid.

If you cancel, your payment is non-refundable. So please think really carefully before enrolling. Should you be unable to come due to unforeseeable reasons, you are entitled to postpone your arrival or send a replacement without incurring extra cost.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Nature Academy's Mission Statement: Nature Academy is an independent non-profit organisation of the Back-To-Nature Resorts Group and is located at Haadyao Nature Resort on the coast of the Chao Mai Marine Park of Trang. Trang is a province located at the west coast of South Thailand's Andaman Sea and its Marine Park is famous for its mystical underwater Emerald Seacave, fantastic colorful corals rich with marine life and white sandy beaches. One of its islands is also the host of the yearly international Underwater Wedding Ceremony event - recorded in the Guinness World Book of Records 2000. The Marine Park is also the home of the near extinct Dugong (sea cows) and serves as a sanctuary for rare birds.

Year Founded: 2000