GVN - Thailand Volunteer Program
The Global Volunteer Network has opportunities available to work with wild animals at a reserve and also Elephants at a refuge through our partner organization in Thailand.
Most of the animals residing at the sanctuary were maltreated before they arrived here, suffering from abuse, malnutrition, neglect and improper care, rescued from the illegal pet trade, or have previously been exploited for the tourism industry. Many of the animals arrive with permanent disabilities and hence, cannot be returned to the wild. The centre's mission is to give these animals the best quality of life possible in captivity.
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Alumni Interviews
Meet Karly Ries, GVN - Thailand alum
Karly Ries is 19 years old from Saskatchewan, Canada. She is studying International Studies at University or Regina. She was a vegetarian who recently turned vegan that loves helping animals and the environment as much as possible. Karly enjoys traveling, dance, and adventures.
GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with GVN in Thailand?
Karly: I originally found out about GVN through an email I received from my sister who had previously been looking into GVN. I read many of the other volunteer projects on the site but when I looked into helping elephants in Thailand, it seemed the most exciting for me.
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Karly: You usually worked 6 days a week and have one day off that you can choose. The work day started at six-thirty in the morning and usually goes till four or five, depending when you finish your duties. The main duties were cleaning the enclosures of the elephants and feeding them three times a day with the banana trees that volunteers harvest every second day. You get three breaks in between feeding the elephants and there is usually lunch prepared by the lovely cook on site. Karly's experience volunteering was the best experience of her life.
GO: What made this experience unique and special?
Karly: It was the hardest thing for me to say goodbye to them. The atmosphere at the Centre is layer back and friendly when it comes to hanging out by the cabins, but serious enough that you get the right kind of work done that is needed for the elephants. It definitely was the best decision ever.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Karly: I never wanted to leave the amazing people you meet and it was extremely sad to leave the elephants that I worked with for three weeks during the summer of 2012. The experience has opened my eyes to what I really wants to do in life, which is to be a change in either animal well being, environmental changes, or development around the world. What made this experience for me so unique was the connection that you make with the people, and especially the elephants.
Further Info
About GVN
Our vision is to connect people with communities in need. We do this by supporting the work of local community organisations in countries through the placement of international volunteers.
At GVN we align with the idea of 'local solutions to local problems', so we work with local community organizations in each country. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.
The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a New Zealand Charitable Trust (non-profit NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Why do we do it?
"We believe in inspiring learning, innovation, and action to unlock the potential of vulnerable communities around the world."
GVN places volunteers in Asia, South America, and Africa and has fundraising treks to Everest Base Camp, Mt Kilimanjaro, and Machu Picchu; along with specialist tours such as the Youth Tour for 15-17 year olds, and our Young At Heart Tour.
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I went and volunteered with a GVN partner organization this summer in Thailand, specifically working with the elephants. It was by far the BEST decision i have ever made. Planning my trip to Thailand was a bigger process then I had thought but GVN helped out tremendously. I had to switch start dates and flights and GVN answered ever question I had. The staff and other volunteers i met at the rescue centre in Thailand were great, they were all nice and had a passion for animals and taking care of them the right way. I never realized how much i loved animals till i got their, the elephants are the most beautiful animals ever. Even though the jobs were more physically demanding that you had to do everyday, being with the elephants and watching them interact in their environment was beyond anything i have experienced. I only stayed three weeks this summer but i would like to go for even a few months in the next year or so. This experience was life changing, sounds corny but its true.