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<title>Travelfish Volunteering forum</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/</link>
<description>Digest of the Volunteering travel forum</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:06:04 +0000</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
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<title>Socially Responsible Travel</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/15596_Socially-Responsible-Travel/0</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:02:34 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi.

I'm a first-time poster but read through a lot of the posts here before traveling to Cambodia recently.  Thanks all for your help.  This seems like the right section to post this in but apologies if not.  It's not strictly volunteerism related but involves socially responsible travel in general - i.e. I didn't donate time to any organizations but tried to make ethical choices on the places I stayed and services I used.

Anyway, before I left for Cambodia, a friend recommended this guidebook: http://friendshipwithcambodia.org/programs-education.php - as a way to avoid staying in places that exploit others and to help support local organizations.  I found the information very up-to-date (as of a few months ago), and all of the ... ]]></description>
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<title>Ho Chi Minh City Or Hanoi, Vietnam?</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/15595_Ho-Chi-Minh-City-or-Hanoi--Vietnam-/0</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:22:35 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I am new to the forum and looking for information about Vietnam. I am in the very beginning stages of volunteering abroad with the organization Volunteer HQ. I was given a choice between working in orphanages either in  Ho Chi Minh City  or Hanoi. If any one can share their personal preference it would be greatly appreciated. I believe that Ho Chi Minh is very urban, and since I currently live right outside of New York City, I want to have as much of a culturally diverse experience as possible. I suspect I may be more satisfied with Hanoi, but would love other opinions. Thanks so much! ]]></description>
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<title>New Life Foundation</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/15131_New-Life-Foundation/0</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:23:38 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ My fiance and I are going to be traveling through Southeast Asia in the fall, and are looking into volunteering at the New Life Foundation in Chiang Rai. We found the center through WWOOF, and it is a retreat for people recovering from substance abuse. Just wondering if anyone has any experience volunteering here who could give us an idea of what the work and accommodations are like.

Thanks! ]]></description>
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<title>Flood Relief Southern Thailand</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/14274_Flood-relief-southern-thailand/0</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:10:58 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hello all, my partner and I are currently in chiang mai, with about two months more in SEA. We would like to know if anyone could provide contact information for any people/organizations through which we could help in any capacity to rebuild or improve the lives of those who have been affected. I have been trained as an emergency medical technician in the states and he organized relief efforts in Haiti following the earthquake last year. Any contact numbers or emails would be very helpful. We are also interested in other volunteering opportunities working with orphans/refugees/etc. maybe teaching English, manual labor or whatever, that don't require a fee. We are set to return to the states mid-June but would definitely be able to stay ... ]]></description>
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<title>Help!!</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/14241_Help--/0</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:36:47 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I leave for 60 days in Thailand in a month. I am 24, solo female traveler (I have no doubt i'll meet with plenty doing the same to enjoy company with ). This will be my first time out of country.  I had signed up to teach Eng in  Phuket  for the first 30 days and then wing it for the next 30. My plans to teach Eng have since fallen thru. Now my whole sixty days is OPEN. I'm on a tight budget. I have few things in each region id like to do. Should i hold most of my cash on debit card? Do you have any hostel location suggestions?? Are there any must sees that aren't in the typical guidebooks??
Thanks for your time! ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteer At English Language School, Stung Treng, Cambodia</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/13905_Volunteer-at-English-Language-School--Stung-Treng--Cambodia/0</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:43:59 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hey Guys,
Had a really great experience recently whilst in StungTreng, Cambodia. Most people pass through this little town on their wayto or from Laos but if you do stay, even 1 night and you are a nativeEnglish speaker (or even if your English is really good and it's yoursecond language) the local students would love to practice theirEnglish with you!
Students at Stung Treng's 'Eastern InternationalSchool' don't usually get the opportunity to get to talk to awesterner. It was almost embarrassing when I was there how excitedeveryone was. It can be hard for students to approach tourists withoutthem thinking that there is some kind of tout involved, which I cantotally understand. These kids/teens really need to talk to nativespeakers if ... ]]></description>
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<title>Samui Dog And Cat Rescue</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/13862_Samui-Dog-and-Cat-Rescue/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:06:43 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi animal lovers

Samui rescue center is always looking for people with kind hearts to help look after around 350 dogs and 150 cats. From feeding, bathing to playing and walking- you choose what you are comfortable with. Vets are always needed too! For more details please contact them direct www.samuidog.org  We can help find cheep nice little house on the island (10-18,000 Bt ) in exchange for your kindness.

Just mad about doggies x ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteer In Bali?</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/13777_Volunteer-in-Bali-/0</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:47:28 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ any opportunities in bali? ]]></description>
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<title>English Teaching In Northern Laos</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/13397_English-teaching-in-northern-Laos/0</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:47:11 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If anyone is planning to visit the caves in    Vieng Xai    (and is wondering if there's anything else to do there), I strongly recommend volunteering at a small ESL school in the village. It's run by a guy named Make Phomvilay, and it's located near the Vieng Xai Caves Visitor Center. I was there in March and June last year and spent many hours helping the students practice basic English. You don't need to be a trained teacher, and you don't need to sign on for the long term. The kids just need practice speaking with foreigners, and if you can spare only a couple of hours, that's two more hours of practice they wouldn't have had otherwise.

There's also an ESL school in    Sam Neua , located across the street from the town's only ... ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteering At Care For Dog, Chiang Mai</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/13263_Volunteering-at-Care-for-Dog--Chiang-Mai/0</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:10:33 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hello,

I run the volunteer orientations at Care for Dogs outside Chiang Mai. We welcome animal loving volunteers at the shelter and I train new folks on Wed from 10 a.m. until about 2. After that if you are animal savvy you can set your own schedule.

There is no charge for our program. We just need more hands to socialize, walk, bathe, clean… Most important is giving the dogs enough attention and experience with different people that when they get adopted they do well around their new families. Setting them up for success, so to speak.

The shelter is a bit away from the main tourist area (20 minutes by taxi) in a quiet part of Hangdog, but we may also be able to arrange homestays nearby. If longer term volunteers (a week or more) ... ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteering In Vietnam</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/12968_volunteering-in-Vietnam/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 2010 02:23:43 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi,

My husband and I are traveling South East Asia for about 2 years.
We are volunteering in the North East of Thailand until the end of February.
Our next destination is Vietnam and we are looking for volunteering opportunities there, we are currently teaching English in a school but we are very flexible and we are more than happy to do other kind of jobs.

Please get in touch if you know any volunteer opportunities in Vietnam, preferably free of charge.

Thanks ]]></description>
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<title>2 Months Volunteering In Asia (preferably Laos)</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/12713_2-Months-Volunteering-in-Asia--preferably-Laos-/0</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:05:29 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hello travelfishies!




I have been thinking about doing some volunteering in asia for a few months in early 2011. Ultimately I would like to use my skills as a policy writer for the Australian Government (in health) in an NGO preferably in Laos or Vietnam (but am also considering Cambodia and Thailand). If I can't use these skills I would also be happy to volunteer my time teaching English or working in an orphanage or farm/conservation type project. Essentially I just want to challenge myself, do something different and see where it takes me. If I loved the experience I would consider doing a more long term position sponsored through AusAID/AYAD in the future.


I  was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of any ... ]]></description>
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<title>Before You Pay To Volunteer Abroad, Think Of The Harm You Might Do</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/12525_Before-you-pay-to-volunteer-abroad--think-of-the-harm-you-might-do/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:41:45 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Guardian has a pretty good story on this -- well worth a read.

While the story is running off research in Africa it starts with a Cambodia lead and touches on issues like &amp;quot;orphanage tourism&amp;quot;. Interesting. ]]></description>
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<title>New Forum: Volunteering In Asia</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/12218_New-forum--Volunteering-in-Asia/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:29:33 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A growing number of people are curious about volunteering in Southeast Asia. Curious about what is involved, what it costs and who are reputable organisations to volunteer with. So, here's a new section of the forum to discuss these matters.

A couple of pointers:
a) If you're undecided on the pay vs no pay debate, you should read this discussion.

b) This is a forum for travellers to discuss the options -- not for volunteer organisations to spin their spiel. Solicitations and advertorial posts will be deleted -- and that means you Danang Kids!

c) Lastly, if you're looking for a good backgrounder on volunteering, look no further than Kirsty Henderson's excellent The Underground Guide to International Volunteering. It is an excellent ... ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteering Thailand</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/11718_Volunteering-Thailand/0</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:30:48 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Looking for a good place to volunteer in Thailand, anyone would like to share their experience... ]]></description>
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<title>Looking For Volunteering- Travel To Teach?</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/11711_Looking-for-Volunteering--Travel-To-Teach-/0</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:57:42 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Looking to volunteer in SEA in february, so far I have found a program called Travel To Teach, is anyone familiar with it or has done it??
Thanks!! ]]></description>
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<title>KNGO Needs Volunteers In Battambang</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/11617_KNGO-needs-volunteers-in-Battambang/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:35:19 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you have free time and want to help a grass roots NGO and experience some authentic rural Cambodian life then look no further than KNGO (Khmer New Generation Organisation) in Battambang. This NGO was started 3 years ago by a local tuk tuk driver by the name of Mr Sun Saveth. Their aim is to offer English &amp;amp; Computer classes to disadvantaged children in a rural village called Bospeau.

I have just spent 2 weeks volunteering as an English Teacher with KNGO and I have to say it was the most humbling and happiest 2 weeks of my travels so far. KNGO get to use the classrooms of the local primary school to offer free English lessons. There are 2 classes each day 4-5pm and 5-6pm. There is a Khmer teacher in the class who normally teaches ... ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteer Offering Services In Cambodia Dec - June</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/11277_Volunteer-offering-services-in-Cambodia-Dec---June/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:31:44 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ 26th.07.2010


Good Morning / Afternoon

I hope this post finds you all well.

My name is Justin, I’m 26 years old; I was born in Melbourne Australia and grew up in Canada. Currently I am employed as an IT consultant with a Bank in Australia. I will be finishing in my current role late October and hope attain  volunteer work overseas. My first language is English and I have also studied French and Italian. Previously, I worked in various industries, such as commercial printing, telecommunications, Information Technology and others.

Having researched the various volunteer roles available, I discovered a few forum post on Travelfish.org and it immediately they drew my attention. Having said that, I am hoping I could come to an agreement ... ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteering In Chiang Mai</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/11271_Volunteering-in-Chiang-Mai/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:52:45 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I am a teacher spending some of my vacation in Chiang Mai.  I would like to do some volunteering here, maybe teaching English to adults or children at a local center, monastery or orphanage.  I've looked at some websites but would love some first hand feedback if anyone has any.

Thanks,
Andrew ]]></description>
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<title>Volunteering At Andaman Discoveries</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/volunteering/11012_Volunteering-at-Andaman-Discoveries/0</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:58:13 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi there,

I m volunteering at Andaman Discoveries at the moment and I m just loving it so I thought you might be interested:

Andaman Discoveries is based in Kuraburi, 3h north of  Phuket . Kuraburi is a cute little town where you hardly see tourists and everything is still very authentic and laidback.
I am volunteering in the office at the moment but you can also teach english at a burmese school, a disabled school in Phuket or an orphanage.
It is not free but all the money you pay (beside accomodation and operational costs) goes into the project you are volunteering in.

Andaman Discoveries also provide community based tourism and they already won a lot of prices like the 'Global Vision Award', the 'Virgin Holidays Responsible ... ]]></description>
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