Forums » Volunteer at Isara

• pennykoh

  

  • 1 posts
   

  February 22, 2009 8:26 PM PST

  Hi all
  I am from Malaysia, and would love to spend some time at i-sara to volunteer as english teach or any other things. Will be available from March onwards. please reply to let me know. thanks
• Kirk Gillock

  

  • Moderator
  • 3727 posts
   

  February 23, 2009 9:04 AM PST

  Hi Shawnz and pennykoh. Thanks for registering and for wanting to help volunteer at Isara.
  
  It's midnight here now so, if you don't mind, I'll send you each a message tomorrow regarding your posts.
  
  Thank you again for wanting to help others and for wanting to make a difference.
• MING .

  

  • 1091 posts
   

  February 24, 2009 1:36 AM PST

  Sawasdeeka Shawnz and pennykoh. Welcome to Isara!!
  See you guys soon!!  :)
• Shawnz

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 26, 2009 5:20 AM PST

  Thank you PK..hear from you soon. will you send to our personal email ?
• Kirk Gillock

  

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  February 27, 2009 7:07 AM PST

  Every day we're receiving numerous applications for volunteers. We currently don't have enough space at the ILC to accept every one that applies and, also, most of the schools are closing for the summer break so there's not a lot of teaching opportunities.
  
  I apologize if I don't reply to every application. But thank you for every one's interest in helping.
• Jordan Worthington

  

  • 53 posts
   

  March 3, 2009 5:37 PM PST

  Hi everyone!
  I posted a few things in January, but the time has now come for me to start applying for applying to make a trip to Thailand possible!
  
  One of the things I'll need to do is make a budget of my trip to Nong Khai, and I was hoping that those of you that have volunteered with Isara before. I'll need to make good estimations of how much all of my expenses will cost over the course of about ten weeks in Nong Khai, from June to August. This will include travel (though I am figuring on a flight from Chicago to Bangkok at around US$1500), food, a place to stay, other in-country costs, pre-travel plans like a visa and vaccinations, and any other thing that you think I might be missing.
  
  Again, I would really appreciate any help, as I don't know exactly what to expect in terms of actual prices in Thailand.
  
  Thanks so much!
  Jordan
• Kirk Gillock

  

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  March 4, 2009 7:43 PM PST

  Hi Jordan! Just sent you an e-mail.
  
  Do you plan on staying at the ILC? If so then your living expenses here will be almost nothing. Food is cheap. Transportation inside Thailand is cheap. So unless you plan on visiting the tourist places (the islands) then your cost of living will probably only be $100-$200/mo. One of our other volunteers can help provide you with info about the visa and vaccinations. It's best to hear it from someone whose been through the process.
  
  Thanks again for wanting to help!
• MING .

  

  • 1091 posts
   

  March 4, 2009 8:54 PM PST

  Sawasdee(hello) Jordan, Glad to hear that from you.
  Don't worry much about the expense here, especially in Nongkhai. When you arrive in Bangkok there are two ways to get to Nongkhai:
  
  1. Take an hour plane flight from the airport to Udon, which is a province near Nongkhai. The flight will cost about $40 and then take a van from Udon straight to Isara in Nk for about $5.
  
  2. Take a 12 hour train straight to Nk. You can get a bed for $18 and we will go pick you up from the train station.
  
  Food here will cost $.50-$1.50 baht per meal.
  Place to stay : if you stay here at the ILC it is free but if you want to get your own place it will cost about $100 a month.
  
  Again there is nothing you need to worry about, just get yourself ready with some money, your passport, and come over.
  
  Hope to see you soon :)
  
• Sean Ryan

  

  • 618 posts
   

  March 4, 2009 8:59 PM PST

  Hello Jordan :)
  
  Vaccinations shouldn't be too much.  Everywhere is different, it will definitely be cheapest at the local county health center, but there are plenty of travel health places around as well.  You do not need many shots at all for Thailand at all.  You DO NOT need malaria medication for Thailand.  There has been no malaria there since the 1970s.  All in the vaccinations should be <$100.  I would get HEP A, HEP B, Tetanus booster (you probably already have) and Thyphoid (your probably have not).  I would NOT get Japanese Encephalitis, its a risky vaccine and personally I feel it outweighs the remote risk.
  
  As far as visa's are concerned, I paid $150 for a year long multiple entry visa but I'm sure the price is considerably cheaper for the 60 day tourist visa which is what you should get.  While your there you can get an additional 30 day extension in BKK I believe or you can cross the border to Lao and come back and get a 30 day tourist visa. (though rules change all the time)
  
  I highly suggest using this consul for your visa, very easy, and she can answer any questions.  I fed ex'ed my passport to her with a return fedex envelope and had my passport back within a couple days.
  
  Julie M. Richardson
  Honorary Vice-Consul for the Kingdom of Thailand
  c/o Tindall & Foster
  600 Travis, Suite 2800
  Houston, TX 77002
  
  713-229-0636 Ext. 1107
  713-228-1303
  
  e-mail: jrichardson@tindallfoster.com
  
  As far as money is concerned, like PK said, it all depends.  If you are traveling around thailand its difficult to say because tourist areas are outragouesly expensive.
  
  While you are in Nong Khai however, it will be cheaper than if you were at home.  PK's estimates are somewhat low, I would say $400 bucks a month and your set, You may end up with some left over, everybody is different.  You will have enough for housing $100-150, Food $100, and extras (visa run, transportation, train/plane to NK, gifts, fun, etc).  Pack very light (I will never take more than a hiking backpack again), Nong Khai has everything you need, they have a Tesco which is basically Walmart.
  
  Last of all don't let yourself get stressed about planning, NK is a very very easy place to live.  Its my favorite place in the world.  Please feel free to PM me with any questions. :)
• derek

  

  • 18 posts
   

  March 5, 2009 2:38 PM PST

  flying from JFK (new york) to LON (London) 9/15 Bestfare.com $240.00 USD with tax
  
  flying from LON to (KUL) Kuala Lumpur 9/18 
  Airaisa.com  $340.00 USD with tax
  
  Flying from KUL to BKK or Udon Thani very cheap  Airasia.com $60.00 usd.
  
  staying in cheap hostels on the way is what I plan to do. average $15.00 dollars a night.
  
  instead of buying a round trip ticket for example Chicago to Bangkok which is very expensive.  You can do continent jumps for around $300.00 usd.
  
  I can't wait!
• Shawnz

  

  • 3 posts
   

  March 5, 2009 10:53 PM PST

  hey PK..U there ? Have u forgotten to reply my question about visa that i had post earlier?
• Kirk Gillock

  

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  March 6, 2009 12:11 AM PST

  Hi Shawnz. I sent an e-mail to you last week. Some times e-mails from our server get blocked by gmail or are put in people's spam folder.  I will send it again from my hotmail account.
• Matt1980

  

  • 2 posts
   

  April 8, 2009 6:21 AM PDT

  Hi,
  I'm going to thailand around July and will be in Nong Khai around the end of July and would be interested in doing some volunteering work for maybe around a month or two. Is there any space left for volunteering around that time?
  I also read in one of the posts above that some of the schools will be closed, just wondered what dates that will happened from/to? And if i was to volunteer in that peroid what sort of activities would be involved in the volunteering, would there be any teaching at all? would it still be full time? is there as many volunteers?
  sorry for the bombardment of questions, but would be great if anyone had any advice,
  cheers
• MING .

  

  • 1091 posts
   

  April 8, 2009 7:50 AM PDT

  Hi Matt1980, Welcome to Isara. Thank you for your interested and for joining in Isara. Not sure if there will be many volunteers or not yet on July but there are many good price on places to stay in Nongkhai.
  
  The schools close from half of March to half of May so in July all schools are open. We can set you up with the local school to help teaching and also at the Isara Learning Center here we have classes every day that you can help teaching. Some time we have the projects that you can help with or we can create some projects from your ideas.
  
  About the time you will want to have enough time to help and for yourself to traveling around. We usually have 1-3 volunteers in a time but not sure yet how many volunteers we will have then.
  
  Please tell us more about yourself  :)
• Matt1980

  

  • 2 posts
   

  April 8, 2009 8:11 AM PDT

  Hi Ming,
  thanks for getting back so quick.
  I am a graphic designer and love anything creative, photography/screen printing/painting etc so would be cool to get involved in some sort of creative programmes if thats something you do? Would be interested in teaching but also the other areas programmes are of interest to me - clean-up campaigns, building playgrounds, rebuilds schools, taking orphaned children to the movies (as listed on this site) also any type of sporting programme i would be interested in.
  If i was to volunteer around July for a month would there be room (accomadation) in the Isara Learning Center?
  And would you be able to tell me a volunteers average day?
  Any other information you could give me would be great, beacuse I am just trying to sort my trip out.
  Cheers
  Matt
• jambredz

  

  • 2 posts
   

  April 16, 2009 2:56 PM PDT

  hey guys...i'm really enjoying looking around this site ans seeing the posts. I'm DEFINATELY intersted in this and plan to put it on my "to do list". I'm in Jamaica (the caribbean) and my only concern is the travel as it seems that once u get there its pretty much easy going. $$ is tight now so i duno when i'll be coming, have to get some stuff b4 i plan this...but i do wanna come for a month.
  
  Question: this is to PK, but to anyone else that knows. How is travelling with equipment like a video camera(dvx) and accesories(mic ect) and laptop. Cuz whenever i do come i plan to take my camera to document my trip and the amazing sites, for myself, and if u guys wanna use me (i'm here to be used :D) The camera and accesories can hold in one bag, laptop in a case. After reading through all the posts i realize that after my equipment i probably dont even need to even bring clothes ..lol. (i'd take a small bag for clothes and stuff that cant hold in my camera bag). I totally ditched the thought of lugging my tripod over there. I'm up for teaching english and anything related to videography if u guys want/need, and as the poster above me stated, whatever projects ya'll are doing, i'm game. And i'd plan to stay in an apartment/condo so i've seen the posts about the costs whcih were quite helpful.
  
  Oh one more question...is videotaping things openly... like just walking around in public with ur camera... frowned upon there?
  Keep up the good work...hope to see ya'll in the future.
  
  oh and how much is it to BUY a moped. not rent but buy.
• MING .

  

  • 1091 posts
   

  April 17, 2009 8:14 PM PDT

  Hi Matt1980: We can't tell for sure about the room b/c some time we just have random volunteer walk in and stay :-D but don't be worry about place to stay.
  There are many good price places to stay here.
  And the volunteer average not over 200baht(5$) a day except you will pay for something extra like cloth, special food etc.
  
  jambredz: Welcome to Isara. Sure you can travel with video equipment but you may have to pay more at the Airport and not very convenience but sure you can do it. Cloth here is cheap so if you don't care much about the style there are tun of cloth here.
  
  Yes, you can have your own place by renting the apartment or condo in a good price.
  
  videotaping things is open everyone. :)
  
  A moped here cost 1,000$-1,500$ to buy one and for rent is about 215$ per month.
  :)
  
  
  
  
• jambredz

  

  • 2 posts
   

  April 17, 2009 9:20 PM PDT

  thanks for the info ming...just to clarify, is that US$1000-1500 or baht? if it is baht...how much is that in US$
  
  I ask cuz if its US$ then thats pricey...but the place is littered with them. People are in positions to buy them so readily?
  
  The real reason i ask though was cuz in an ideal world i'd luv to buy one..ride around for the time i;m there then just give Isara when i leave. Thats an ideal world though...lol...and i duno if thats possible :) Chances are i'll end up getting a bicycle and donating that lol.
• Kirk Gillock

  

  • Moderator
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  April 17, 2009 10:48 PM PDT

  jam - You can get a used motorcycle for about $600-$750. A new one for about $1,000, as Ming already said. Bicycles are used a lot here by volunteers and are much safer. They cost between $50-$150.
  
  We had a filmmaker come here last year with some equipment. I don't think customs caused her any problems. Then again, the equipment she brought (some of it was shipped here) looked like consumer grade equipment (HV20 camera, etc.). If your equipment looks professional then they might ask you what you plan on doing. We can write you a letter of invitation which explains that you'll be recording charity projects. That might help with any custom problems you receive. Not sure.
  
  We'd love to have your help and hope you're able to put together this trip to the Land of Smiles.
• shumei

  

  • 52 posts
   

  April 21, 2009 9:03 PM PDT

  Hi Everyone,
  
  Im coming to volunteer in Isara in 2 weeks time! Am just wondering what to expect, what type of things to bring? Clothes to wear to teach etc??
  
  Thank you.
  
  Shumei xx
• Jordan Worthington

  

  • 53 posts
   

  April 23, 2009 8:37 PM PDT

  Hello everyone!
  
  In preparation for my summer in Nong Khai, I got a visa. It's not a multiple entry visa though. Would I still be able to travel around Southeast Asia and enter into Thailand again without a multiple entry visa? I'm considering doing a little traveling or visitng a friend who will be in Vietnam over the summer, and since I don't know when I'll have the chance to visit again, I'd like to be able to travel a bit.
  
  
• Kirk Gillock

  

  • Moderator
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  April 24, 2009 1:56 AM PDT

  Thank you both for coming to volunteer.
  
  Shumei - At our Learning Center you can dress fairly casually. If you teach at one of the government schools then you'll need a nice shirt, pants, or skirt. It's going to be hot so make sure you bring clothes that keep you cool during your non-teaching time. Don't worry about materials to teach with. We have a lot of things here already. This weekend I'll e-mail you some Thai cards to use to help you get to Nong Khai.
  
  Jordan - You'll be able to travel around just fine. Each time you enter Thailand you'll get a 15 day visa automatically. So you can stay a month in Thailand, travel around some of the other countries, and then enter Thailand again before you leave.
  
  Looking forward to meeting both of you and showing you around Nong Khai.
• Terri Hartley

  

  • 5130 posts
   

  April 24, 2009 5:01 AM PDT

  Its soooo good to see so many people coming to help out!  Thank you to everyone.  ;D
• KitKat G

  

  • 5035 posts
   

  April 24, 2009 5:13 AM PDT

  Thank you Shumei and Jordan for going to volunteer at the ILC.  I know you'll have a great time.  :D 
• shumei

  

  • 52 posts
   

  April 25, 2009 10:19 PM PDT

  Hi KitKat and PK,
  
  Thanks for the info, that is really useful!
  
  I'm very excited about coming to volunteer, even if it is for such a short time. Meanwhile, I've made Isara.org my homepage and started googling from it too.
  
  Quick question- How much do you think I need for about 2 weeks in Thailand?
  
  Peace
  Shumei