September 25, 2009 4:01 PM PDT
Hello-
I'm interested in volunteering next summer for ~8 weeks, but when should I submit the application? The application says that they only have room for a "few volunteers at a time", so obviously I don't want to submit it so late that there's no room for me... but don't want to commit to it too early in case some unseen circumstances change my plans.
Thanks
November 9, 2009 9:02 PM PST
If you're still interested in coming over please let us know. We have room for you next summer. Thank you for wanting to help.
November 11, 2009 12:35 PM PST
Hi there,
I'm delighted to find somewhere that offers free placements for volunteers. I'm going to be in SE Asia for a few months next year and I'm hoping to get involved. I've no problem paying for my expenses but most opportunities cost so much I'm not able to even consider them. It's unfortunate because I think there a lot of people like me.
I've already submitted my application, but I also wanted to ask a question if anyone can help me. Is there any time of year when volunteers are not accepted, e.g. Thai New Year, school holidays? I read PK's post saying that the schools close between mid March and May. I'd like to be there when I can help the most. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
November 11, 2009 6:56 PM PST
Thank you for applying and for posting here in our forum, Esther. The reason we started the free volunteer program is exactly for the reasons you mentioned.
Any time is a good time to come over because our Learning Center is open year round. During the public schools summer break we still stay active doing projects here at our ILC or doing other things.
Since we'll have an opening during the time you want to visit, I'll be sending you an e-mail soon with an invitation to come on over!
;D
Thanks for wanting to make a difference!
November 16, 2009 10:29 AM PST
Hi, great news. Thanks. :)
December 8, 2009 5:20 PM PST
Hey Derek. "Fight" was awesome. Nice work!
January 1, 2010 4:18 PM PST
Sawadee Khrab!!
First and foremost, i would like to say to Kirk and his fellow volunteers over at Isara, well done!! It's amazing that this organization exists, to help the poor and needy children and people in Nong Khai.
I had been surfing the net for some volunteering opportunities in Thailand recently and chanced upon this website. It's amazing what this website is able to do to help the people there.
I'm looking at visiting Nong Khai this coming February and would like to have a chance to volunteer myself at the ILC and have sent in an application. Hope to hear from you guys soon.
Keep up the good work guys. I will try to see what i can do over in Singapore to help the people in Nong Khai or Thailand too. ;D
Chok Dee
Allan
January 1, 2010 7:39 PM PST
Welcome to isara Allan. Thank you for your support.
Are you Thai? b/c it seem like you can speak it well.
Khob koon ka! :)
January 1, 2010 7:48 PM PST
Hi Ming,
Kob Jai Na, thanks for the compliment but i'm not Thai. But i do speak some Thai as i travel to Thailand frequently and picked up Thai language from my friends in Thailand. Maybe i can learn more from this forum as well. ;D
Thanks for welcoming to this forum too..
Khob Koon Mak! ;)
January 4, 2010 11:39 AM PST
I am getting excited about planning my trip and volunteering with with ISARA!!! My journey to help change the world is going to be happening at the end of June!!! I hope to be able to stay for at least 3 months!!
I am just waiting to hear back from Kirk. I have heard and read many great things about ISARA!!!
Everyone have a great day!!!
Love: J!!
January 18, 2010 1:57 PM PST
Hi all,
I am hoping to volunteer in Thailand towrards the end of March this year, I sent in an application last night, so do i just sit tight until somebody contacts me?
Any advice would be great, thankyou
Iain.
January 18, 2010 11:17 PM PST
Hey all!
I just have some questions. My Husband and I are moving to Thailand. We've decided to come for a year or so and we wanted to do some sight seeing, beaches, waterfalls, forest, etc. We wanted to come down, do some traveling and then get right into volunteering. Is there anyone who would be good with helping us figure out where to get started?
We were also thinking of getting an apartment, the people with Isara can help with that?
My husband, Brad and I were most moved by Isara and really want to spend our time in Thailand working with all of you. It seems like such a genuine wonderful place to work with.
I was also wondering, I wanted to help with some of the women in the red light district. Do you do any work with them?
We are exremely excited to come out there in March and help in any way we can, can't wait to be apart of the Isara family.
Kat ;D
January 19, 2010 2:02 AM PST
Jersie - Thanks for posting in our forum. Hope you got my reply via e-mail.
lain - We appreciate you applying to volunteer. I'll contact you via e-mail soon. Just need to check what our space availability is for the dates you want to volunteer. If we don't have space here at our Learning Center would you be available to teach in another province and stay with a host family?
Kat - Sounds like you and your husband are preparing for an adventure. That's great! There's some people on this forum who could give you some advice on which places to visit while in Thailand. If you're interested in volunteering we ask that you apply online first so we know more about your interests and when you'd want to help.
http://www.isara.org/projects/free-volunteer-programs/
Currently we're not directly helping women in the "red light district" but we are educating women in the poorest region of Thailand, where most women in the red light district come from.
Thanks for wanting to help others.
k
January 19, 2010 3:25 PM PST
Kirk: no e-mail as of yet!! I just sent in an application!! I am already counting down the days and hope there I space available for my time frame!
To Everyone Else: keep up the amazing work!! And save some for me for when I get there:):) even though I am sure there will be lots for me to do!!
J!!
January 19, 2010 5:07 PM PST
Hi Jersie,
Look in your junk mail or spam folders for mail from Kirk. Some mail programs improperly classify mail from isara.org that way.
January 19, 2010 7:54 PM PST
Jersie - Interesting. The e-mail was sent earlier this month (January 5th). As ZeroG mentioned, we've been having problems with our e-mails going into people's Junk folder but our IT guy fixed it a few days ago. I'll try sending it again.
January 19, 2010 8:52 PM PST
Kirk: that would be great if you could send it again!!! It could've been in the junk mail...I don't check that one to often. But I will make sure I keep on eye on it this time.
Thanks a bunch.
January 22, 2010 1:39 PM PST
Hi all! I am volunteering at Isara for three weeks in July and then vacationing for two weeks following the volunteering. I'm trying to figure out which visa I should get or if I even need one at all... I'm coming from the United States so if anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it!
Getting so excited :)
January 24, 2010 6:35 AM PST
Kat-- My friend has worked with this charity organization connected to women in the red light district. I don't know too much about the organization or exactly what they do, but here is their website for more information. http://www.nightlightinternational.com/
I hope you make it to Isara! It's such a great place and I miss it so much.
January 29, 2010 7:51 PM PST
Howdy all,
Just sent off an email pretty recently to Isara, thought I would introduce myself a little while I was at it!
My name is Aaron (easy enough to guess from the user name eh?) I've been searching through a variety of non-prof and NGO organizations for me to become more involved in. I'm currently studying for my Masters of Public Administration and I thought Isara would make a great possibility for me to come do some on-site organizational learning.
A bit about myself, I just turned the big three-oh (or is that three UH oh?) pretty recently, feeling my age! I recently returned from working as an ESL instructor in Korea. My only experience in Thailand was for two months after completion of my undergrad course work. I had a blast living in Bangkok and doing practice teaching with International House. Thought it would be great to spend some time in Thailand again, away from the hustle n bustle of Bangkok ;p
Of course, this is a good chance for me to pick brains while I'm here. What are other good organizations that people recommend? I know there are several of us Global Leadership majors in my MPA program, and they may be interested in hearing about some as well =)
January 30, 2010 11:50 PM PST
Lara.e - Thank you so much. I appreciate it the help and I'm checking it out right now. :D
Thanks again. :)
February 3, 2010 9:32 AM PST
Hello to everyone here and at Isara! My name is Jenia and I am a student from London, England. If all goes to plan I should be coming to volunteer at the beginning of July for 7 weeks. I feel inspired by the work that Isara does and am looking forward to being able to make a worthwhile contribution:-)
February 3, 2010 9:34 AM PST
Not quite got the hang of the smiley faces obviously!
