HomeProgramsVolunteer & Teach AbroadThailandCommunity Work at an Orphanage in Kanchanaburi

HELP INSTILL CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS TO ALLOW THESE CHILDREN TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT AND POSITIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

The orphanage Moo Baan Dek, translated as the “Children’s Village”, was founded in 1979 as an alternative education community for Thai children who have been orphaned or come from very poor families, some of which are also abusive.  These families live under the poverty line set by the United Nations and are not able to provide a healthy environment in which the children will be able to grow to their full potential.

Registered with the Thai Ministry of Education, the school at Moo Baan Dek provides education from kindergarten through 6th grade for the children living there.  English is a much sought after skill in Thailand and one that can lead to otherwise unattainable upward social mobility.  Volunteers not only give these children a priceless chance to learn English from native speakers; they help ease the burden on an overworked teaching staff.  Apart from this, the children are also provided with vocational and artistic workshops, such as ceramic molding, batik and cloth making, weaving, and woodworking. 

Volunteers will spend a majority of their time preparing lessons and teaching English speaking and listening skills to primary school aged children using informal approaches, such as activities, games, and English camps.  This will involve leading group activities and classes, and keeping the children involved in all lessons. Additional daily activities will include work in the organic garden used to grow vegetables to feed the village, assistance with preparation and cleanup before and after meals, lesson planning, and other tasks as needed for the benefit of the children and the village itself.

Volunteer activities may include:

  • Teaching English classes to children at the school.
  • Create lesson plans and design course materials (flash cards, handouts, activities, games etc.)
  • Help students with homework assignments.
  • Looking after the children, while acting as a suitable role model, counselor and cultural ambassador.
  • Working in the vegetable garden.
  • Helping with meal time preparation and clean-up.

Most GeoVisions include meals, airport pick-up, project training, in-country support, extensive medical and accident insurance, extensive pre-departure information and onsite project orientation.  See the Fact File below for details of this program.


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FACT FILE
Minimum Length 2 weeks 
Maximum Length 6 months 
Add on Blocks of Time 1 month at a time. 
Age 18+  Health Good 
For Minimum Length $ 895 
For Maximum Length $ 2495 
Additional Fee Information 4 weeks costs $1145; 2 months costs $1545; 3 months costs $1745; 4 months costs $1945; 5 months costs $2165. 
Language Training None needed.  Airport Transfers Included. 
Orientation Included, in Bangkok.  Flights Not included. 
Insurance Included.  Visa Costs Not included. 
Local Transportation Included to the project.  Other  
Room Included. 
Meals Included. 
Locations The village is located in a natural setting, about a half hour’s drive from the main town in Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand. It is situated on 60 acres of land in a beautiful lush forest on the banks of the famous River Kwae, among the misty rolling hills that fall along the Thai-Myanmar border. The closest town is Kanchanaburi, which is about 30 minutes from Moo Baan Dek and about 3 hours from Bangkok. 
Working Hours M-Sat. from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Some evenings and Sundays free. 
Language Requirements Good English skills. 
Additional Information  
Arrival Dates 2008: Flexible. 
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