Last Saturday our new location really jumped off to a great start. When we get settled in a little more you can expect a more detailed update from Chris. This week I want to tell you about Kirsty (aka Nerdy Nomad) whose hard work to produce an International Volunteering Ebook is in the final stretch. The ebook will be packed full of helpful steps to get people making a difference in exotic locales all over the place. A significant portion of the ebook will be interviews, free or low cost volunteering options, and reviews of paid opportunities. When it launches the book will be available for purchase online for around $14. The proceeds will go to Hands on Disaster Response and to help fund Kirsty’s post-earthquake return to volunteering in Haiti. Don’t worry I’ll post a reminder once the book launches, but for now enjoy a sneak peak of the type of information you’ll find in the ebook, with a list of my favorite volunteering options in Bangkok.

Note: This isn’t an exhaustive list by far, as I have only included organizations I have personally worked with.

Sanuk My Saturday – Saturdays – Pinklao/Yommarat

This is the ISOS project teaching English in the slum that you’ve been hearing so much about the last few weeks. I’m trying to round up support for the project which we have expanded to a second location last weekend. For those unfamiliar, you can donate, sign up to volunteer, or read more about what we’re doing in last week’s update.

Little Light Project – Monthly – Victory Monument

Little Light is a special program for students at the Bangkok School for the Blind that encourages them to reach for their hopes and dreams with activities challenging the students to interact and discuss with volunteers. Join the LLP group to get updates and invitations to the sessions. Meet a few of the children in this brief video:

Friends for All Children – M-F – Samsen

FFAC is a home for orphaned infants and toddlers who hope to be adopted. Volunteers are encouraged to come spend time with kids during the week. If you survive feeding and changing time the overwhelming cuteness of these kids will keep you coming back. Visit the FFAC site for more.

SSS Foundation – M-F – Sukumvit 71

Hop off the BTS and a short taxi ride later you’re in a group of buildings used for the recreation and education of many of Bangkok’s children with special needs. Long term volunteers are preferred and will have the opportunity to aide the center with a variety of tasks from teaching English to physical therapy. More in [English] or [Thai]

IDC Visits - Mornings, M-F, Soi Suan Plu

Last year many ISOS volunteers who had been helping at Bangkok’s Refugee Center began getting more involved with visiting the Immigration Detention Center after raids on refugees resulted in many of our students being detained indefinitely. For every volunteer who joins, we are allowed to call one detainee and we use this to allow separated families to spend a few moments together. Volunteers are usually gathered twice a week and bring food, water, and other supplies to the families. See the volunteer page to get involved.

“Dream Big, Work Smart, Start Local.”

-Dwight