As a volunteer in Thailand helping disadvantaged children, volunteers will teach children to speak and write, walk and run, sing songs, play sports and fun games, shape clays, dance, etc. Volunteers can create their own lesson plans to conduct within class which best suits the needs and interests of the young children. Volunteers working with young children will be provided teaching and playing materials for use in the centers. The working hours are between 8:00am-12:00pm. Volunteers will also work in nearby primary schools during the day, teaching English for 3-4 hours a day.

There are no specific qualifications needed to join the disadvantage children program in Thailand . However, volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as possess a passion and love for children.

Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field supervision for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Thailand, most volunteers stay in our home base, a permanent home established for our international volunteers . Our home base in Thailand is located in a pretty community, in a very safe and clean neighborhood. There are internet cafés, restaurants, local bus stations, a police station and supermarkets near our home base. The home base provides is a comfortable place to relax after a long day. There are several bedrooms (which may be shared with a same-gender volunteer) and community areas. There is a shared kitchen, television and shared bathrooms, which have running water and “western-style” toilets.

Depending on the influx of volunteers, accommodations could be with a host family. Host family accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. Host family stays are a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange.

Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.

Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. There are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families and/or a homebase staff. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.

Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.

Disadvantaged children projects are available in Bangkok (capital city; notable attractions such as the Grand Palace, Democracy Monument, Giant Swing, Sanam ) and Chiang Mai (known as "The Land of Smiles" see Chiang Mai Zoo, Sankamphheng Industrial Area, Mae Sa Valley, Doi Pui National Park,), with shops, banks & internet cafes nearby. Known for Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, the culture of Thailand incorporates a great deal of influence from India, China, and the rest of southeast Asia. Like most Asian cultures, respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice. Thais have a strong sense of hospitality and generosity, but also a strong sense of social hierarchy.

Volunteers can organize different possible excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place the volunteer can use during weekends. For example: waterfalls, lakes, caves, buffalo/ elephant ride, trekking, adventurous rafting, visits to local handicraft outlets, temples, palaces, wats, hotels, and many more.