Description:
Discover and learn about the threatened and amazing marine life such as the sea turtles and coral reefs of Thailand. More and more beaches and coral reefs are exploited for mass tourism.
National parks in Thailand and Laos lack resources to protect wildlife, nature and develop eco tourism. Opemind Projects supports National Parks to protect nature and promote sustainable eco tourism.
Volunteers with an interest and knowledge of nature conservation are welcome to help.
Highlights:
Volunteers who are experienced scuba divers may participate in marine surveys. Diving is possible outside the monsoon season which normally starts in May and ends in October/November.
Outdoors activities such as trekking trips and terrestrial surveys are conducted with local staff and their children to help them learn English and to guide tourists.
Objectives of the project
Develop sustainable eco tourism, protect the marine life from commercial exploitation and conserve the wildlife and environment.
Help local staff to improve their English and improve information available in English.
People involved
* National Park staff, local school and OpenmindProjects
* Local resources for the underwater survey
* Converted fishing boat, staff, diving equipment and local divers when necessary
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
Volunteers role and general tasks:
To support the National Park in their indoors and outdoors activities by trekking, working together, surveys, assisting in creating brochures and panels, develop website ideas for the national park and other related work.
A major task is to help improve the English of the staff and to helpthem learn how to take care of non Thai visitors, eco tourists.
Desired volunteer profile:
- Capable of working alone
- Sociable, assertive but also very flexible and patient
- Marine biology, wildlife conservation knowledge
- Scuba diving skills
- Photography skills
are assets but not required
Selected volunteers will receive pre-departure information and a 3 day in-country volunteer orientation as well as local briefing prior to heading to the placement.
Language:
English
Cost in US$: Special fee before Dec 31, 2011
Cost Includes:
Excursions,
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Language instruction,
Pre-departure orientation/Training,
Registration fees,
Written materials abroad
and Written materials pre-departure
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
animal welfare,
biological research,
conservation,
eco-tourism,
economic development,
education,
English teaching,
ground patrol,
natural resources,
parks,
planting,
recreation,
reforestation,
restoration,
sea turtle protection,
teaching,
tourism,
tree planting,
volunteering,
wildlife surveying
and youth
Typical Volunteer: Energetic, independent, flexible.
Age Range: 20 plus
This Program is open to
Worldwide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements:
Apartment/Flat
and Home-stays
Participants Travel to Thailand
Independently
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Application Process Involves:
- Letters of Reference
- Resume
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time Is One - two weeks
Post Services Include:
- Alumni Network
- Exit Debriefing Abroad
- Job and Internship Network
Open mind projects's Mission Statement: To bridge the knowledge divide between the rich and poor. We do this by helping the underprivileged gain access to better learning opportunities with the help of modern information technology and international volunteers; To contribute to the fight against increasing threats to our environment, nature, and wildlife; To offer international volunteers unique opportunities to help bridge knowledge divides and to help save nature, while growing as persons in our grassroots education and eco projects.
Year Founded: 2001