Volunteer in Laos: Most Affordable & Real Impact!

My recent experiance in Laos was very special. Working up close with the locals (having On and Vedd in the house itself) really meant that I chould have a cultural and immersed experience. Because the project encompasses many fields, I was able to work on the farm yet also have the opportunity to go to the school after work and see the other volunteers teaching English. Being able to see different volunteers in different projects every day was personally very exciting. So all in all this year was another great experience with UBELONG!

I volunteered with UBELONG to give my help to a local organisation in Laos with building a school in a rural village, but I got so much in return. The experience not only broadened my horizons, but also gave me a greater confidence in myself. The amazing people, beautiful culture, and not to mention the breath-taking scenery - unforgettable.

I googled "construction volunteering" on a whim and UBELONG was first up. Quite frankly, I would have been lost if not for UBELONG; their website offered so many opportunities to help with projects all over the world, and it showed me the dedication they have to make the world a better place. So I applied without hesitation. But the help available in the lead-up to going was even better. From my UBELONG mentor, others' testimonies, and social media, the whole process was made super easy and reassuring.

The experience was definitely the most rewarding of my life and I can't wait to volunteer with UBELONG again!

I volunteered through Ubelong for three weeks in January 2012 and it was a really unique experience. I choose Ubelong(After a lot of research) because of their professional appearance, affordability(most organizations charge 4 times more than Ubelong)and support I got from my mentor. I received so much support before, during and after my stay which I really appreciated. These guys know what they are doing and are very passionate about their job.

My three weeks went by so fast and I had such a good time in Laos. I helped around the farm, helped in the bar to raise money, went on excursions and helped develop new tourist attractions, took tourists on farm tours and taught the local children English in the afternoon. Laos is an amazing country and if you really want to get to know the people and the culture there is no better way than to volunteer to help them. The people are so nice and helpful. I really can't recommend it enough, and do make sure you choose Ubelong if you want the best there is!

After looking at many opportunities to volunteer abroad in South-East Asia, my search ended when I discovered UBELONG.

The clear and accessible website gave me an initial indication that the organisation was purposeful in its work, and showed me several other aspects which further captured my interest. Firstly, it was appealing to me that UBELONG was operating in only a small number of locations around the world, as I attributed this to that fact that the places had been carefully selected due to both their genuine need for development as well as their suitability for volunteer work. Reading further about the individual programs, as well as arriving in Vang Vieng, only enhanced this view.

I also felt that it was really important for volunteering opportunities to be affordable, as the enthusiasm and effort offered by volunteers should be valued more highly than their money. This was another reason why I chose UBELONG, as it allowed me to participate in an overseas project at a very reasonable price. Despite this, it was clear that nothing had been compromised in terms of the safety or living conditions put in place for volunteers. The mission and principles which are central to the organisation are not obscured by unnecessary structure in the programs, which may otherwise make them less affordable and flexible than they currently are. That is, I felt I had some control over the timing of my placement and the nature of the work I undertook once I’d arrived at the project.

From the moment my application to participate in the immersion program was accepted, my UBELONG mentor remained in close contact with me throughout my experience. With the uncertainty that comes with overseas opportunities such as this, it was great to be able to have queries answered so promptly, both via regular email correspondence and during a scheduled safety meeting, which addressed all of my pre-project questions. The support from my UBELONG mentor, whose expertise in the field of development was extremely valuable, continued whilst I was staying in Vang Vieng.

My experience in Vang Vieng was one from which I felt I was genuinely contributing to a valuable project in the local community. In the process I was able to challenge myself in new tasks from tending animals and construction to teaching English at the local school. One dimension of the placement which I particularly enjoyed was being able to work and socialise with locals and other volunteers from such a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Personally, I am grateful that through UBELONG I was able to gain real insight into the wider field of development work which I may choose to study in the near future. I am certainly interested in connecting with UBELONG again further down the track.

The local team was perfect. I felt part of their family. The chance to project and work on a brand new building was thrilling.

The only advice to new volunteers could be: start learning Lao in advance so you can speak with the workers that you're about to working with.

Among many options, I chose UBELONG mainly for its wide range of interesting programs. esp. business development and training programs. To me, these well selected programs can truly tackle the cause and provide a long-term and sustainable impact on people of a particular community. I placed my trust in UBELONG because of impressive experience and knowledge in the field as well as their deep dedication to international volunteering. The trip was beyond my expectations!!! I would not be this compassionate, independent and determined without my volunteer journey in Laos. Once again, thanks!!!