Develop Eco-Tourism Initiatives in a Fishing Village: Volunteer + Adventure

About the Project:

Help get a village back on their feet after the devastating tsunami! Work with the locals on projects to bring in income through community-based tourism.

International Student Volunteers (a non-profit organization) offers you the opportunity to volunteer in a village working towards their goal of introducing sustainable eco-tourism and for them to be self-reliant and self-sufficient for the long term: economically, socially and environmentally. After giving back, you will then reward yourself by participating in an incredible two week adventure tour, where you will see national parks, stunning beaches, go rock climbing and sea kayaking and so much more!

On December 26th, 2004, a tsunami brought a great number of changes to the southern region of Thailand, including devastation to the fishing industry. Many villagers lost their boats and fishing gear and had little or no savings as a backup. One particular village was inspired, as so many other communities were in the wake of the tsunami, to create new opportunities, especially in the area of community-based tourism. Many have turned their fishing boats into ‘boat ride services’ and boatmen have turned into tour guides. Other activities such as batik hand painting, fishing trips and rubber plantation observation have been offered to tourists as a way of creating ecotourism. Villagers decided that community-based tourism would allow them to generate additional income and support the continuity of their traditions, culture and lifestyle. ISV aims to establish a long term relationship with the villagers by continuing to support development projects for community based tourism. ISV acknowledges the importance of reaching out to conscientious volunteers and making it possible for them to have a meaningful experience while in the village. The village believes volunteers’ input is vital for the success of the villagers’ sustainable livelihood and further economic and sustainable development.

What to Expect?

Volunteer Project:
ISV aims to help villagers in creating a sense of place, identifying what villagers see as important and using this to develop tourist activities from the bottom up. ISV volunteers are continuing to help equip these motivated villagers with the necessary skills, infrastructure and education that they need to achieve their goals. The volunteer projects will focus on infrastructure improvement, providing English instruction and other educational activities with children and locals to enhance the local experience. Other activities might include a fishing trip with a local, batik hand painting workshop, learning how to make handicrafts, and a trip to a rubber plantation plot. These activities are designed to give volunteers a unique local experience and help educate volunteers on the local lifestyles. You will be among the first westerners to live and work side-by-side with many of these community members and children, so you will have a great and meaningful impact on their lives and their future relationships with other foreigners and with their natural environment.

The working conditions are moderately strenuous, with the biggest challenge being the heat and humidity. Moderate fitness is required since some of the projects involve manual labor and light construction.

Adventure Tour:
On the Adventure Tour, participants will travel throughout Thailand’s northern and southern regions, exploring the cultural capital of the North in Chiang Mai, historic and enchanting temples, hill tribe communities, primary forests, wild rivers, limestone caves and islands, stunning beaches, an elephant sanctuary and national parks. The tour includes a minimum of five activities which may include snorkeling the tropical waters around Koh Phi Phi, rock climbing and rappelling at Tam Mae On in Chiang Mai, Thai cultural dinner and dance performance, Northern overnight hill-tribe trek and 2 day sea kayaking in Ao Phang Nga.

There is also an opportunity for an additional, one-week excursion in Cambodia.

About our organization:

International Student Volunteers is committed to impacting our world by providing life-changing volunteer experiences abroad. ISV has been operating student programs since 1983, but has focused on Volunteer and Adventure Travel since 2002. Since then, more than 20,000 participants have contributed to ISV’s global volunteer efforts, making a significant impact across six continents. ISV programs offer unparalleled opportunities to get involved in the front lines of sustainable community development and conservation initiatives internationally, in addition to exploration, adventure and cultural exchange, while traveling through one or more countries. This program is open to everyone, not just students. We are not a sending agent –we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible. ISV sets the industry standards for best practices, safety, opportunities to learn, and of course fun!

International Student Volunteers, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation in the U.S. organized under the Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable and educational purposes.