Northern Laos: Wildlife Conservation, Permaculture, & Meditation Practice with Monks

As a mom on this trip, I wholeheartedly recommend this trip for the educational and life changing experience it is set up to be. I loved the fact that there were no hidden agendas and that we as volunteers were expected to honor the Lao culture and community. Instead we worked alongside the people to make their ideas a reality. We taught English, played games, participated in cultural ceremonies and worked to create a permaculture plot to provide an alternative to other farming methods.
The guides for this trip are nothing short of amazing people who work hard day and night to ensure safety and also provide insight into the people and places we encountered. Parents send tour your kids and know that they will be well taken care of and come back to you well-nourished - physically, mentally, educationally, and spiritually. Or better yet, go with them and have your own life-changing experience!! I loved it!

This trip was so much more than a vacation; it was an adventure. From day one, there is exciting and meaningful interactions with the other volunteers and also with the community in general. All the basics were met (food, clean water, accommodations) and then some. The itinerary was exciting and full of new experiences every single day. The best part of the whole trip was also the longest part: the extended stay in Sop Chem, a small village 2 hours away by boat from the nearest larger town. There are no words to express the beauty and wonder of Sop Chem. It is quite literally a paradise with amazing people and beautiful scenery. It was so easy to become accustomed to the way of life in Sop Chem. In fact, I found it easier to adjust to Sop Chem than to adjust when I got back home to the United States. Life there is slower paced and disconnected, something that I found to be therapeutic and recharging. I felt so culturally immersed the entire time, which gave me a true feeling of purpose that I haven't ever gotten on a trip before. The volunteering was so meaningful. I only wish I could have done more. Overall, this trip was life-changing and eye-opening. I discovered so much about myself throughout the journey and I can't wait to continue making a difference here and eventually getting back overseas and continuing to make a global impact.

This was such an amazing experience and GIVE did a great job organizing it for us. They have a beautiful connection with the locals that helped everything run smoothly. This connection allowed me to learn so much about the culture that as a tourist I may have otherwise overlooked and also allowed me to ask questions to dive even deeper. There was the perfect balance of work and play during our time in country and the work is rewarding every step of the way. We were either working on the permaculture plot with local men and women or we were teaching their children in the school. GIVE laid out the itinerary for us before we left and provided all transportation for us. All of our accommodations had either air conditioning, a fan, or sometimes both which was helpful as it is very hot there. We were also provided with mosquito nets when necessary and always had access to clean drinking water. With that, the meals were great as well. I'm not a picky eater at all and I enjoyed everything I had. Overall, I would absolutely do another give trip in the future.

Among GIVE Volunteers, Laos is well known as Thailand 2.0 because so many people combine their Thailand trip with this one to make one amazing month long adventure in south east Asia! Make no mistake though, Laos is a country of its own. Similiar to Thailand but by no means identical. One major thing I noticed between the two was that Thailand was more hectic in terms of activities. We always seemed to be bouncing around from one amazing thing to another. Laos however, seemed to be running on slowed time. Everything seemed to slow down and it was a little more relaxing. We still did a ton of amazing things though!! Among them was zipling through the jungle, building a teacher's dorm out of recycled plastic bottles, and practicing Buddhism with actual monks! The Baci ceremony in which the locals we worked with wished us safe travels and good fortune was definitely the best bittersweet closing to an amazing adventure.

I had many doubts about going on a service trip abroad, but GIVE absolutely proved my doubts wrong. To begin, GIVE makes sure to work with rural communities in an ethical way, only doing projects that the locals have expressed a need for. We also worked alongside the locals to learn from each other and enrich the experience.

Another thing I love about GIVE is that it gives you a really authentic experience, despite traveling with a group. We reached many places and had experiences that I could not have without traveling with GIVE. The adventure activities are rugged and active in the best possible way.

Finally, the relationships I made on my trip were incredible. The locals, the guides, and the other volunteers are all people I will remember for the rest of my life.

Just off the bank of the gorgeous Nong Khiaw River, an hour away from civilization, lies the most beautiful village of Sop Chem, populated by around 60 families. I can wholeheartedly say I have never experienced the true meaning of unconditional love until I arrived in Sop Chem. The whole community welcomed us with open arms and loving hearts. Throughout the entire two weeks of working hard on the construction site and the classroom, I made the most beautiful connections with the most inspiring people. Experiencing the most genuine view of their culture, traditions, religion and cuisine. One night we were able to pair up for homestays with amazingly welcoming families and were able to exchange abundant laughs and smiles all throughout the night without speaking a single word to one another.

Traveling with GIVE has absolutely changed my life! Laos is an incredible, beautiful country that is rich with culture. The trip was well organized while still allowing for independence to make the experience your own.

While in Laos, we spent a few days exploring the quaint city of Luangprabang, participating in local ceremonies, learning about the history and culture of Laos, and becoming acquainted with the area.

From there, we traveled via long tail boat up the river to the small village of Sop Chem - a beautiful, welcoming community that quickly became family.

Our sustainable construction and education projects focused on asset-based community development, using the resources and skills of the locals & region to empower them to achieve their goals (and offering some extra hands to help). A truly impactful means of volunteering!

I can’t say enough great things about GIVE and their trips!!

This is an experience you will be able to tell your kids in 20 years. If you want to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn current event and become a conscious traveler GIVE is the organization for you. It’s been two years since I went on my trip to Laos and I’m still talking about it. The staff is great, kind, and well trained. You gain great experience teaching English and working along side local engineers on sustainable infrastructure projects. You get to work along side wild life conservation groups. For instance, in Laos we worked with free the bears a great organization that works with rescuing moon bears and providing them a safe sanctuary that mimics their ecosystems. You also get the opportunity to learn about UXOs dropped in Laos during the Vietnam war. Lastly you will get to go to the beautiful village of Sop Chem a place I consider my second home. The people are very welcoming and are eager to teacher you their culture as well as learn about yours. I recommend freshening up on your card games because the teens in Sop Chem don’t play around when it comes to games like slap and speed. I would also like to add the adventures are amazing but the connections you make abroad are going to be the best memories you have on this trip!