Volunteering in Bangkok just got easier. Become an In Search of Sanuk volunteer and spend your Saturday making new friends and having fun helping others. Here are a few ways to get involved.

Little Light Project

The Little Light Project brings together volunteers of all nationalities to offer fun activities to the students of the Bangkok School for the Blind. This happens about once a month on a Saturday morning. LLP is a long running, well organized program that benefits all involved. Volunteer and get regular updates by joining the LLP facebook group.

IDC Visits

If you’re free from 10-12pm on weekdays you can help our visits the Immigration Detention Center. 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. All of the families are refugees from various countries who came to Thailand seeking asylum. Volunteers are usually gathered twice a week and bring food, water, and other supplies to the families. Click below to get involved.

Sanuk My Saturday

Since July 2009 ISOS volunteers have been teaching kids in a poor community in Bangkok’s Pinklao district. This is ideal for those in Bangkok long-term, but only have time to volunteer a few Saturdays of the month. Teaching is almost every Saturday afternoon from 2-3pm. Click the button below to sign up on VolunteerSpot today. For details on how to prepare and other FAQs, please see below.

Preparing to Volunteer with Sanuk My Saturday

What do I need?

We prepare a basic lesson for the students. We ask that you come prepared to help them learn. Usually the students have pretty poor writing ability and could benefit from one on one attention with a volunteer. We also suggest making a donation of 100-200baht each time you volunteer. The cost to run the program is between 1000-2000 baht each Saturday (that’s $30-$60 for both locations combined) and any donation helps. Another way to help us alleviate costs is to bring along a non perishable snack item that can be shared by 5-10 kids.

What should I wear?

Dress casual and wear something you don’t mind sitting on the floor or getting up and running around in. We don’t recommend wearing excessive jewelry or anything you would mind getting broken. No heels please, athletic shoes are the best choice.

Should I bring my camera?

Yes! We just ask that you share your photos in our facebook group and if you want to take any photos outside of the space we have for teaching to please get permission first.

What if I English is not my first language?

There is much more going on at our program than the English teaching. I always tell people that English is just our “excuse” to have time to hangout with the kids. What we do teach is also very basic, so your active participation is more important than your level of English competency.

Where do we meet?

The easiest place to meet is the Tesco Lotus, just down the street from Central Pinklao Department Store. Let us know you’re coming and we will meet you at Tesco at 1:45pm. The temple where we teach is just a short walk from the Tesco. The map below may be helpful. Don’t forget to let to sign up so we know to expect you.