Education volunteer in Laos

Location: Luang Prabang, Laos

Duration: 2 to 24 weeks

Start: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
 

The arrival of tourists in Laos implies the growing demand for English language lessons, especially in learning and tutoring centers for children. Volunteers with no training in teaching will be led to supervise the sporting and leisure activities with the teachers. Children in Laos are extremely motivated to learn English . It is a real opportunity for them to acquire a better education - an indisputable asset in the world of work.  
 

Volunteer Time Schedule

Volunteers work from Monday to Friday.  It is important that you are able to communicate & understand English as you will be working with a wide variety of students, both children and young adults, teaching both practical and conversational English across different levels.

You may also have an opportunity to teach with Novice Monks, although this cannot be guaranteed and is based on project needs and time of year.

During the summer months, from approximately June- late August volunteers may also have the opportunity to contribute to various children’s summer English programs.

The weekends are free, volunteers take advantage of the opportunity to explore the region: boat trip on the Mekong, swimming in Kuang Si waterfalls, sunset on Mount Phu Si, temple tours, hiking, etc. It is a culturally very rich region and still little affected by mass tourism. 
 

Light on our projects in Laos

Our base could not be better located in the heart of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 

• Project staff: 20 volunteers, 4 staff members

• The volunteers and staff are housed in a guest house, Villa Merry. Generally, these are rooms for 2 to 3 people, with bathroom and common kitchen, and a dining / relaxation area. 
• An accommodation "upgrade" is available at an additional cost:It is situated close to the guesthouse, volunteers can be accommodated in single room, with air conditioning and TV

• All meals are taken at the guest house, and are prepared by a local cook. These are traditional meals, with two options: vegetarian or meat. 

• You must wear the Sinh when you are at the project site. It is a traditional dress that you can buy on site. We also recommend that you bring shirts adapted to your interventions in front of the students. A list of things to pack in your luggage is provided in the project manual, sent along with the confirmation of your reservation.  

• IMPORTANT! The project is not available during the holidays in Laos. The dates are variable, indicative: New Year (1 week in April), Festival of the races of boats (1 week in September). Christmas holidays last two weeks of December.

Our volunteer project inclusions in Laos

• Airport pick up
• Accommodation
• Orientation and welcome BBQ
• Three meals a day
• Weekly social events
• Transport to and from the projects
• 24 hour support and supervisor on project
• Donation to the NPO to assist with projects
• Certificate of appreciation

The Laos Welcome Pack, always included in the booking confirmation email, is also a brilliant source of information for volunteers to prepare their trip.

Enrollment Requirements for Volunteering with Children in Laos

From 18 years

Intermediate level required 

Copy of criminal record

Copy of passport 

Vaccines: Diphtheria, Typhus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Anti-polio. Ask your doctor for advice on rabies vaccination and anti-malarial treatments. 

We do not accept last minute reservations for programs in Laos because the personal information (passport) of the volunteers must be forwarded to our local partner at least one week before the start date of the program.
 

Skills. To register you will be asked

- No specific skills are required for this project as all training is provided in the field, however it is a bonus if you have experience with children/teaching.

- Depending on the duration which you join the project for, you will receive between 5-10 hours  of TEFL training

Visas

Most foreigners obtain a 30-day visa upon arrival in Laos (a payment of approximately US $ 50 + photo ID is required). It is important to indicate that the reason for the stay is tourism. 30-day visas can be renewed twice at the Luang Prabang Immigration Office (approximately US $ 78). Our local team will direct volunteers participating in a 90-day program to two options for visa renewal: an excursion to Vientiane to Thailand via the Friendship Bridge, or a round-trip flight to Chiang Mai. 
 

Payment and Cancellation Policy

A non-refundable deposit is due within 48 hours after notification of acceptance of the application. The amount of this deposit is 300 €, or 900 € for programs over 5000 € and / more than 90 days.

In the case of a 300 € deposit, 50% of the total is due 16 weeks before the date of departure and the full amount is payable no later than 10 weeks before the departure date.

In the case of a deposit of € 900, 50% of the total is due 20 weeks before the date of departure and the full amount is due no later than 12 weeks before departure.

In the case of a deposit of 300 €, the participant can cancel at any time up to 16 weeks before the date of departure.

In the case of a deposit of 900 €, the participant can cancel at any time up to 20 weeks before the departure date.

The sums paid will be reimbursed with the exception of the amount of the deposit, withheld as a penalty. All refunds will be subject to a 15 € processing fee.

In the event of cancellation after the above dates, no refunds will be required.

Founded in 1997, our NGO partner coordinates projects around the world. It permanently employs 150 people in its local offices, which have already welcomed more than 20,000 volunteers in the field. In Laos, it works closely with local organizations on long-term voluntary projects. Its intervention takes place only under the supervision of the community leaders, and at their request. 

Our partner organization sits on the International Commission of Sustainable Tourism of the United Nations. All their voluntary initiatives and projects are carried out by experts in collaboration with local people and national governments.

As a non-profit organization, our conservation project is as transparent as possible. Volunteer contributions are used to cover the planning of projects on the reserve (reconnaissance, team recruitment and logistical support), direct field costs (transportation, accommodation, staff meals) and support the project itself And its continuity. Without the physical and financial support of the volunteers, this project would not have come about.