Location
  • Thailand
    • Ko Samui
    • Surin

Program Details

Language
English
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Feb 02, 2023
Dec 28, 2015
27 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Bamboo has opportunities for you to be a part of one of our community-based, Thai-led projects:

Elephant Care - Assist with the care of Elephants in the village to enable them to continue living with the people who see them as another family member.
Childcare - A rewarding project in the rural village of Surin.
Nursing - project in Surin enables medical students to work alongside local clinics to provide essential basic medical care to those who are in desperate need.
Teaching English - Teaching on the beautiful island of Koh Samui enables children to learn English.
Building - Maintenance of the schools in Samui, renovating classrooms and bathrooms and refurbishing the furniture

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Bamboo.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Sample authentic and tasty Thai cuisine
  • Tour of Bangkok's sights before departing for your project locations
  • Emerge yourself into the Thai culture
  • Tradition homestay in the Elephant Village
  • Have the weekend to explore different parts of Thailand

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.75 Rating
based on 8 reviews
  • 5 rating 75%
  • 4 rating 25%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.25
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 4
  • Value 4.25
  • Safety 4.65
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Default avatar
Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

My partner and I both loved our time throughout this programme. We were both nervous having never done this kind of travelling before but once we got there the nerves didn't get a second thought. We were well supported the entire time and extremely well looked after by one of the local families (we are still trying to recreate some of the recipies). The school in which we were placed was very much on board with the programmes goals. In the classroom it was well structured and progressive learning with set patterns and of course the odd game. Tongue twisters are pretty fun if the kids eyes are glazing over in the afternoon. We saw a massive improvement in everyone's spoken English and their confidence in using their language skills. It was very sad to leave when our time was up. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to immerse themselves in the culture and learn about another way of life while helping out the community.

94 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eric
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time in Thailand

Before departing for my 2 weeks volunteering in Thailand.. I have no idea what to look out for, let alone what to expect. After my 2 weeks volunteering in Thailand.. i've learned new cultures, met new friend (from & outside of Thailand) and gained new experiences. I loved every single minute of my time in Thailand. Undoubtedly one of my best experiences abroad by myself! The workload was good and the tour guides/care takers were excellent!!

117 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Gene
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Senior's view of Kho Samui

I lived at a cabin (for a little more) above the beach at Bang Por. It worked out well as I was provided a ride to my assigned school site. The ESL supervisors were enthusiastic and fun to work with. The students were sometimes mischievous but not mean and easily diverted. Group dinners and eating street food at the various "walking streets" was fun and tasty. In daylight hours riding "songtaels"--jeepneys--is a reasonable way to get around the island but after dark it is the wild west for fares. As an 80 year old, I loved it and would do it again if I continue to feel healthy

91 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Evelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience Real Life

Experience the way another culture lives. Interact on a daily basis have fun with their children enjoy their food but most of all make new friends

The wealth of experience you will gain will stay with you for ever and you can stay in contact with all your new friends and perhaps return to see how their lives have changed

What would you improve about this program?
Perhaps for people working with children there could be a simple plan that volunteers could follow ie songs activities learning. All volunteers could use this thus giving some continuity
91 people found this review helpful.
Beata
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Follow your dreams

Taking part in ‪this program wasn't only an adventure for me, it's an opportunity to write a new page in the story of my life.

On January, when I was living in Poland, almost everything seemed to be going wrong. I must make a decision. Do I want to blame everything for my failures and complain about my problems? Or take responsibility of the only life I have and make a change? Start over again. Live a bigger life. Get out of my comfort zone. Take courage to live my purpose and dreams not fears.

I followed my heart and it was the best decision I could have ever made. I am in the middle of a miracle currently.

Volunteering was the start of my new live. I was taking part in "build and beach" program. We were helping children have a better place to learn. The kids were lovely. They are always smiling. I enjoyed spending time with them. Working as a volunteer gave me huge satisfaction and a great experience. I am so happy to gave something back to the World. To be the change. This is an incredible feeling deep inside my heart. I was so greatful to be a part of it.

Koh Samui is like paradise! Views are breathtaking! I loved spending my free time exploring this stunning place. People are nice and cheerful. I was making new friends from around the world. The food is divine! Especially seafood. I fell in love with Thai cuisine.

And this is just a beginning...
Believe in your dreams!!

Kisses,
Beata from Poland

What would you improve about this program?
It could be great if the staff spend more time with volunteers after work and organize some events with all volunteers from all programs on the island. Just because I love them so much!
90 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Sherry
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience!

Thoroughly enjoyed the volunteer experience. Program was great and the staff were amazing and very helpful. Loved living in the village and seeing first hand how the people there lived. I am very appreciative of being able to have done this and would love to do another volunteer experience with GVN.

What would you improve about this program?
Please add in Thai the address for the volunteer house in Bangkok also maybe add a side note for the new
Travellers that to request the "Meter" when getting a taxi from the Bangkok airport.
I would have also liked to help in the village
More.
92 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jackie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Thailand

Being a mature volunteer, I always tend to worry beforehand that other young volunteers in their twenties and thirties will look at me and wonder why I am there! However, this is not true, I have had a great two weeks so far and have signed up for another two which shows how good it is!

I came out here to teach and hopefully give something back to a community that hasn't the same benefits of our western society. Whilst here I have had some hairy rides on motor bikes up impossible hills, been out on a 4WD up into the jungle, been down slides at the waterfall, driven through torrential rains, along ravines and met some jungle spiders!

So I guess I am getting as much from this trip as I am giving back and I would encourage anyone - from 20 - 80 to give it a try!

What would you improve about this program?
All pretty good. Shorter rainy season would be good!
90 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Karly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience ever.

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.

87 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story

Questions & Answers

The elephant program is held in a village just outside of Surin, Thailand. .. about an 7-8 hr train ride from Bangkok.