Free Volunteer Programs
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Making a difference should not be expensive. It should be free. That is why Kirk Gillock founded Isara (”freedom” in Thai) as a way to give everyone the opportunity to make a real difference. With Isara there are NO fees or donations required for volunteer placement and dorms at our Learning Center are free to any one who wants to help. Below is more information about Isara and what volunteers can expect. About Us
Isara is a registered non-profit charity foundation located in Nong Khai, Thailand with a focus in education, environmental awareness, and personal safety. Isara volunteers help create and implement our own projects in the local community which are funded solely through revenue generated by our website, Isara.org, and our generous sponsors.
We do not feel that people willing to help should have to pay to do so. That is why Isara does not, and will never, charge volunteers to teach. All you need to do is get here and you can make a difference in the lives of many.
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What We Do
Education: Isara teaches English, computers, web design, and video production to students of all ages at our own Learning Center, located in the heart of Nong Khai. We also provide volunteers to local government schools and scholarships to students in the surrounding area. Another method of further opening the teaching experience is through Isara’s one-of-a-kind World Class eTeaching program, which enables people from overseas to teach our classes, real-time, via the latest Internet technologies (or as my Mom says, “Magic!”).
Environmental Awareness: Isara takes an active role in environmental issues by holding clean-up campaigns in the local communities. Volunteers help with school presentations on keeping trash picked up and reducing waste by recycling and consuming less. We take it to the streets and sometimes we even go on TV and radio with our messages to boost awareness. Personal Safety: Motorcycle helmet safety is a big part of our commitment to the community and the people who live here. Since 2005 we have donated more than 2,000 helmets to students around Thailand and work with local police and hospitals to educate people about the importance of wearing helmets. We’ve even been known to go cross-country spreading the word one village at a time. Misc/Other: Isara also builds playgrounds, rebuilds schools, provides backpacks and school supplies to the poor, and even takes orphaned children to the movies. As always, our volunteers are welcome to help with any of these charity projects or suggest their own project. Oh, I almost forgot, we also sing karaoke!
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Isara Volunteer Comforts/Amenities
Volunteers can stay for free at the Isara Learning Center (ILC) in Nong Khai, which is located within two blocks of the local police station, hospital, the Red Cross, and two 7-11 stores. There are dorms upstairs with beds, a wardrobe, and fans to help keep you cool. We have a large living area upstairs with cable television and tons of DVDs to watch. There is a shared western-style bathroom and hot-water shower upstairs and another half bath downstairs. The kitchen is available for use and is equipped with refrigerator, microwave, hot-plate, and everything else needed to cook, though most volunteers prefer to sample the many delicious and extremely affordable foods available in Nong Khai. The ILC also has a full computer lab with high-speed wi-fi access and a game room with a ping pong table and dart board. If you prefer being outside, Isara has a beautiful new pier where volunteers (and students) often relax and read a book or do yoga. We also provide free phone calls to the USA and Canada, bicycles for volunteers, and Thai language and cultural lessons to help get you situated.
What Volunteers Must Pay For
Volunteers must pay their own way to get to Nong Khai and related expenses (visas, passports, any immunizations, etc). Once here, they must also pay for their personal living costs (food, laundry, personal effects, and transportation around town, entertainment, etc). But don’t worry, the cost of living is very cheap.
If off-site housing is preferred, we can help volunteers find an affordable place to stay (typically a nice apartment costs only $100/mo). Sound Too Good To Be True?
Feel free to visit our forum and interact with current and previous volunteers. Here’s a few Isara volunteers who have lots of photos and great stories to tell.
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