Volunteer with Children in Laos

Location: Luang Prabang, Laos

Duration: 2 to 12 weeks

Start: See dates tab

Highlights:

• Work closely with local lay students, both children and young adults, at various educational institutions in Luang Prabang
• Learn about the Theravada Buddhist traditions of the Lao people and the animist traditions of the Hmong
• Learning about Lao culture, history, food, religion and language
• Visiting local sights or being able to enjoy a weekend break on the banks of the Mekong River

Project Details:

The arrival of tourists in Laos implies the growing demand for English language lessons, especially in learning and tutoring centers for children. 

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.  
 

Volunteers work is 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 between the ages of 8 and 21, 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. 
 

Our volunteer project inclusions in Laos

• Airport pick up
• Accommodation
• Orientation
• Three meals a day
• Transport to and from the projects
• 24 hour support and supervisor on project
• 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.