Animal Care Volunteer Project in Thailand - Chiang Rai

Before volunteering, I felt like I am not developing my soft skills and was living my life aimlessly. So from this program, I gained communication skills, passion, sympathy and motivation to work hard. To anyone who hesitates to join this program, JOIN! You will be warmly welcomed by the staff and you will definitely enjoy your time like me.

I gained lots of information about a new culture.

The opportunity to work with children has been incredibly precious to me. Experiencing the local lifestyle was eye-opening and completely new, challenging but extremely enriching. As someone used to a Western lifestyle, volunteering in Thailand offered unique challenges and rewards. It taught me the values of gratitude, love, and simplicity. For anyone hesitant about joining this program, I would say that while it may be challenging, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. You’ll gain invaluable experiences and a deeper appreciation for different cultures.

From this experience, I feel I gained a better understanding of a way of life that I learned was not so different from my own. Going in, I was expecting everything to be different about everyday life. What I came to realize is that everyone is far more similar to each other than they are different. That was a very cool thing for me to discover and I think validates the idea of being nice to anyone and everyone.

The advice I would give to someone hesitant about joining this program would be to try to become comfortable with letting yourself relax. If coming from a Western upbringing and culture like me it can be easy to get swept up in the little things going on in your life. Stress and a sense of urgency become a normalized routine that eventually leads to unhappiness and burnout. Going on this trip taught me a more laid-back lifestyle that I loved. Learning to incorporate time for unwinding and relaxation is an important lesson that you don't want to miss out on learning!

Amazing conversation information and support whenever needed from the local team. Working directly with locals and working in and around their villages helped to create an immediate sense of satisfaction and appreciation. Accommodation was great and everything I could have needed. Any concerns or questions I had were resolved or answered quickly. The meals were truly a highlight - every meal was deliciously authentic and ridiculously good. There was certainly no shortage of food for myself or other volunteers.

There were too many great examples to give only one favourite moment. The staff and local volunteers I worked alongside were amazing people who made me feel comfortable, safe and had a wealth of knowledge. So the people were my favourite highlight.

Absolute amazing support from IVHQ while deciding my sabbatical.

When I was first accepted I was offering my time - I had no skills or experience but I honestly wanted something different, and I got it. I wrote a thread on Facebook to my lovely friends and loving family very often commenting on how lucky we are in NZ, this beautiful experience has made me grateful for what I have returned to. I loved every minute and hour of my journey.

Home stays was the absolute moment for me and I was blessed to be able to have 3 wonderful great experience. Will always be in my heart.

I can only say, this has changed my life for the good and forever. We work for a comfortable life yes, but the beautiful Thai people work to live, something I have never thought about.

For those still hesitant about volunteering abroad, I say give it a go! I am 61 and experienced my journey with a 69 and almost 72 year old. Prior to going I suffered from a knee injury, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid issues but knowing this I felt the drive and passion to do something different in my life, never wanted for anything but gave everything I had to give.