JAB / 136 / February 2025: Free Or Cheap Volunteer Projects To Join In Southeast Asia
Vacancies, Leads, Links, Inspiration & Ideas For Working Abroad, Volunteering & Taking A Gap Year
Not everyone advertises their vacancies in the Jobs Abroad Bulletin, but rather than be sore about it we share vacancies we find in other publications here every month. We have an international readership but please be aware that not every job is open to everyone and official pieces of paper may be required.
| Luang Prabang, Laos |
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Let Your Love of Pets Take You Anywhere
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This is Maggie. Maggie is our neighbour’s dog. She comes into our garden whether we like it or not. Luckily, we like Maggie. And she likes us. She waits on our doorstep until we have finished the Jobs Abroad Bulletin and can play with her. All around the world, owners of dogs like Maggie need someone to look after them while their owners are away. In return, pet sitters get to stay for free with adorable animals in unique homes around the world. Join TrustedHousesitters to sit as often as you like, wherever you like.
Paid TEFL Internship In Thailand
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SEE TEFL offers a PAID 4-5 month placement for full-time English Teaching in Chiang Mai or a provincial town with a minimum salary of 35,000 Thai Baht (THB) per month — included before placement is 4 weeks of face-to-face TEFL training with observed teaching practices in Chiang Mai + accommodation (while training). At the end of the initial training period participants receive TEFL certification. These teacher training + paid internships are offered twice per year, at the beginning of both Thai school semesters. It’s not necessary to possess previous teaching experience or to know any Thai language.
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Be an English native speaker
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Asian summer camps, sheds, cultural exchange, Ibiza, Edinburgh, Yorkeys Knob, buffalo, butterflies & more…
⭐️2025 Australian Snow Season Opportunities
AUSTRALIA > Oz Snow is looking to fill several roles for the upcoming winter season, which runs from June to the start of October across its hotels in the snowy mountains of NSW. Benefits include free ski hire, shared accommodation, and there is also opportunity to continue employment within the company for the Japanese snow season.
⭐️Adventure Reps
FRANCE > Keep an eye on BeVenturesome’s blog. Each year they use it to announce their need for adventure reps to escort school groups for summer activity trips to Morzine.
They did so in early January in 2023, and late March last year, so we’ve slapped this post somewhere in the middle in the hope they are soon to or already have put up something there already about how are particularly keen to hear from people with degrees or experience in teaching, outdoor education or sports. If not, here is the gist of things from last year.
⭐️Helping At A Campsite With A Ski Lift And Restaurant
SWEDEN > A Belgian family of four who moved to Sweden a few years ago are looking for European volunteers who want to experience and enjoy the offerings of the area by helping them at their campsite. You should stay for at least two weeks to fully experience and do everything. Cabin accommodation, food, drinks, and activities are offered in return.
⭐️Edinburgh Fringe Volunteering
UK > Applications to volunteer with Paradise Green at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe are open to enthusiastic, friendly and hard working volunteers to join their team for two, three or four weeks of the Fringe in front of house, technical and other roles. They provide food, accommodation, and tickets to shows.
⭐️There’s Work Over At Yorkeys Knob
AUSTRALIA > Front and back of house positions are available in a beach front cafe/bar. Own transport is beneficial if residing outside of Yorkeys Knob.
⭐️Apply For Tourism
ITALY & NETHERLANDS > Applyfortourism provides professional staff to campsites and resorts across Italy and the Netherlands via its slick website. They deliver professional entertainment teams that run a variety of sport and fitness activities, have their own show team touring Italy, and provide hospitality staff for bars and restaurants, as well as receptionists, nightguards, and more. EU passports are required.
| Applyfortourism |
⭐️TAPIF Applications Close End Of The Month
FRANCE > The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers the opportunity for Americans And Canadians to work in French schools for seven months. Applications close February 28 for Americans, and February 21 for Canadians.
⭐️America Opens To Austrian Fulbright Students
USA > The Austrian Fulbright Student Program provides generous scholarship support for Austrian students who have completed their first degrees and are interested in enrolling in one or multi year master’s programs at leading universities all over the United States. Applications are open until May 1.
⭐️Americans Wanted To Spread Their Culture
POLAND > The Teaching English in Poland (TEIP) program is a unique cultural exchange initiative where American volunteers teach English to Polish and Ukrainian students during summer camps in picturesque regions of Poland. Teachers of all subject areas and levels are encouraged to apply while teaching assistants can be college students, retirees, business people, former military, or anyone who has an interest in experiencing living and teaching in Poland. March 10 is the application deadline this year.
⭐️Tourist Entertainers For Invisa Hotels Chain In Ibiza
SPAIN > At Acttiv, they want to incorporate animators full of good vibes into their teams at the five hotels of the Invisa hotel chain in Ibiza.
⭐️Beetmania
USA > Workampers in the US will be getting excited for The Unbeetable Experience, that should around about now be asking them to apply for the chance to make over $4,000 in ten to 15 days harvesting sugar beets in North Dakota and Minnesota in October.
⭐️Horses, Cats And Dogs
BULGARIA > The Lucy Irvine Foundation Europe is waiting to hear from adventurous volunteers who like working outdoors with horses, dogs and cats. They’ve vacancies now and in the spring.
⭐️Surf Camp Vacancies
PORTUGAL > Are you ready to spend your summer at a vibrant surf camp by the ocean? Wave Nest Surfcamp is asking around for surf and yoga instructors, breakfast and bar staff, housekeepers, entertainers and volunteers to join their team for the 2025 season (private group).
⭐️People Persons And Animal Cuddlers Wanted At A Buffalo Diary
LAOS > We’ve read nothing but good things about Laos Buffalo Diary. They are a socially responsible dairy and production facility that makes yoghurt, cheese and ice cream for local and overseas customers from buffalo rented from local families, who benefit from a regular income stream from their otherwise underutilised female buffalo. They feed and house volunteers, who should be people persons and animal cuddlers, who help out on their tour side hustles by working in the ice cream hut, greeting guests, giving tours, and helping in the café. Volunteers need to stay a minimum of one month and speaking multiple languages is a bonus. Most tours are given in English, but they have a need for French, Chinese, Spanish, German, Italian and other languages too.
⭐️Pack Your Bags For An Adventure In Kanchanaburi Or Elsewhere In Asia
THAILAND > Last March, iCamp Thailand were recruiting summer counsellors to work in Kanchanaburi province from mid June to the beginning of August and we see no reason why they won’t be doing so again this year. This poster will have to do as a guide until they share 2025’s requirements on their social media.
⭐️26 Summer Camp Jobs In East Asia Shared By A Working Expat
EAST ASIA > For nearly a decade Sabrina has been taking jobs that let her travel the world, including working on cruise ships, in ski resorts, on dude ranches, teaching English in China, as an au pair in Italy, and leading gap year programmes in South America and Southeast Asia. Investigating her list of summer camp jobs in East Asia we found potential routes to working in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and elsewhere in the region.
⭐️An Inexpensive Option To Volunteer With Elephants
LAOS > Fafa Ny said in November that she was soon off to volunteer at Lao Elephant Home in Muang Thong near Paklay. At the time she went she paid US$15 per day inclusive, but it can vary according to the time of year. If you came in December it was $20 per day, $25 in January. We asked LEF why the difference? They said their project cannot survive without tourists and are trying to balance tourist and volunteer numbers. In the past, everyone wanted to visit them as a volunteer because it was cheaper to stay longer.
Whatever time of year you come, we think these fees are pretty reasonable for this type of project and - having done something similar ourselves across the border in Thailand - well worth it for an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. LEF does not have a dedicated page providing information to volunteers, so contact them via their website or find their social media links there.
⭐️Bears, Butterflies And Beards
VIETNAM & LAOS > Free the Bears charge a fee to volunteer at their Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary in Vietnam during June/July and December/January; currently do not have veterinary or vet nurse volunteer placements available (they are focused on building capacity locally, but welcome expressions of interest for any opportunities that may arise); and don’t regularly take on volunteers at their sanctuary in Laos, but if you have the itch to volunteer with something not remotely like a bear near Luang Prabang, then Kuang Si Butterfly Park (map) has a listing on Workaway aimed at lovely potential volunteers. If those lovely potential volunteers are men with beards, those beards should be beautifully clean and well trimmed.
⭐️Empowering Women In Siem Reap
CAMBODIA > Tourists can be pampered with a purpose at Sugar Spa, a social venture providing fair wage employment to vulnerable women, supervised and trained by an experienced local and international team. They seek beauty and relaxation industry experts to volunteer for ideally two months to give skills training and mentorship in different areas. Ideal candidates should have two to five years of experience, with specialisations in massage, skincare, lashes and make up. In return for working four or five hours a day, five days a week, beauty and spa trainers are provided with two meals a day and private accommodation. During time off there is unlimited access to yoga classes, free spa treatments from the training staff, use of a bicycle, and a saltwater swimming pool.
⭐️Conversations With Cambodians
CAMBODIA > In Cambodia, the economy is mainly based on tourism and agriculture. However, in the public schools of Kratie, students aren't taught much English. The non profit Dolphin School of English has stepped up to teach English and some basic IT skills to disadvantaged children and adults to give them better job prospects and a brighter future. They welcome volunteers and have provided plenty of information on their website to find out more about them. Teaching experience is preferred but not essential. Volunteers must have a high level of English but not necessarily be native speakers. They also consider volunteers who can help in other ways, such as improving the school, by gardening, painting, decorating, building, or helping in the office. Volunteers pay US$10 per week towards utility bills and can enjoy three Khmer meals for an extra $3 each day.
Last year we briefly mentioned Life Bridge International School when Mr Chhin Salath posted a short message, some pics, a video and contact information to encourage anyone interested in volunteering as an English teacher in Cambodia to head to them just outside of Battambang.
Also in the province, about 15 minutes by road from the city, is KNGO Cambodia. They seek volunteers to assist their Khmer teachers with their English Literacy Programme, regardless of whether they have teaching experience or not. Special skills in art, music, sport, IT, etc are always an advantage. Volunteers in the areas of admin, community welfare and maintenance are also welcome. Groups and families will be considered. A month long commitment is required, a US$100 donation greatly accepted, and volunteers should be self funding.
In and around Takeo Province, in the south of the country bordering Vietnam, is New Futures Organisation. They have a small network of rural schools bringing free education to children in remote villages who are unable to attend regular classes or can’t afford these classes. Volunteers go through their supporter, Right 2 Smile, where there is a one time €75 registration fee and a €300 placement fee.
I See I Do is a charity organisation, also in Takeo Province, providing free education to over 300 students from underprivileged backgrounds. Volunteers can make a real difference in children's lives by helping to teach English, Chinese, or computer skills, support their library, and engage in community outreach. They support their volunteers with family home stay accommodation and two meals a day in return. Nearby Kompong Speu Province offers the chance to assist in the growth of Edward International School.
In Phnom Penh, centred around the former garbage dump at Steung Meanchey, Cambodian Children’s Fund has since 2004 been working with some of the most impoverished communities in Cambodia. The CCF volunteer programme focuses on recruiting skilled volunteers with professional experience to assist with six core areas: education, leadership, community outreach, healthcare, childcare and vocational training. Volunteers are not required to pay CCF to volunteer but are required to provide their own accommodation and other expenses and commit to at least three months.
⭐️Two Ideas For Volunteering Near Vang Vieng
LAOS > At the SAE LAO Project volunteers work side by side with local people to make Laos a more sustainable place. They welcome volunteers of all ages and nationalities and ask only that you come with an open mind, a responsible attitude, a willingness to help and an eagerness to interact with people.
Located in Nathong Village, seven kilometres outside Vang Vieng, SAE LAO asks for a contribution from short term volunteers towards their accommodation and three meals a day, plus a small one off payment that helps fund their education and community projects. This works out at about US$13 per day for the minimum two week stay in a 21 bed dorm room, plus $29.
All volunteers teach English, but other tasks that can be done include helping with sustainable building projects, gardening and working on the rice fields during the rice planting and harvest seasons. Longer term volunteers able to stay for a minimum of two months and coordinators able to stay six months are also sought.
Ponies of Vang Vieng host professional horse persons from all over the globe to work with their herd. Non horsey people are engaged through Workaway to help with maintenance, help improve their restaurant and bar staff's knowledge of waiting and bartending, and do creative online things.
⭐️Bolaven Plateau Homestay
LAOS > Somphone, who lives in the ethnic Katu village of Kok Phoung Tai in the Boloven Plateau near Paksé, contributes to the development of his village through his guesthouse, campsite, restaurant, coffee plantation and trekking business. Volunteers are welcomed with accommodation and meals. He is active on Facebook and has a Workaway listing too.
⭐️Weaving Project In Tad Lo
LAOS > We were charmed by Tad Lo, each day saying we would go tomorrow but continuously adding extra days to our original plans. Had we kept this up (and had skills in textile design, fashion, sewing or marketing and communication) a weaving project would have drafted itself into existence and we could have volunteered for free accommodation with Samaki Guesthouse (map). They have a presence on Workaway too.
⭐️Spread The Words In Luang Prabang
LAOS > Travellers in Luang Prabang can have a memorable day and make a difference in the education of young Laotians by pitching up at Big Brother Mouse. A publishing project, BBM aims to make reading fun and increase both literacy and the number of books published in Laos. Laotians are very much at the forefront of the project but passing travellers can help by reading a picture book at their school on the outskirts of the city, playing chess, or holding a conversation in English with a young adult who grew up on a rice farm.
Also on the edge of the city, the LEOT School in Panluang Village welcomes volunteers for a day, but most come for much longer usually between two weeks and three months on a part time or full time basis. David, who trains and helps upskill the native Lao speaking teachers there lists them on his blog, along with other English learning centres and international schools in Luang Prabang that take on teachers and volunteers.
English Club Laos work with more than 100 volunteers from all over the world at their school each year. English for Everyone is another centre that has enjoyed the support of foreign volunteers: both experienced English language teachers and kind and generous people with no teaching experience whatsoever.
According to Ben Ward, the village near Kuang Si Waterfall - which he says would be a pretty amazing place to stay for a while - had posters up asking for people to help kids with English. These may or may not have been put up by The Living Land Farm, a project formed in 2005 by a group of local families who combined their land. They offer a rice experience to tourists but also welcome help in their efforts to provide free English lessons to kids in the local villages.
⭐️More Informal Teaching Ideas In Laos
LAOS > Brian Rayburn mentions AD Learning Centre Champasak where a teacher is trying to do something special and needs supplies and volunteers. A map and photos of details painted on a fence show where to find them, though the email address and Whatsapp number on this post may be a bit easier to read. French speakers are needed there too. Also mentioned is English Corner Cafe in Pakse.
We heard of NK Seeds via a sign in the background of a YouTube video of a budget traveller who found himself stuck in the country during lockdown. Started by a young French woman, they run two projects dependent on volunteers in Nong Khiaw: an English School, and waste paper and plastic recycling. Bungalow accommodation is provided with breakfast and lunch on teaching days, or there’s a common kitchen to prepare food bought in the local markets. Some of the restaurants in the area provide discounts to their volunteers. One volunteer made this video about her experience.
NK Seeds has since partnered with a retired Franco-Lao couple to open a free English school on Don Khong, the largest island in the Mekong River. Accommodation and two meals a day for €100 per week are provided to volunteers staying two to four weeks.
On another of the 4000 Islands, Vera Sunset Homestay & Bungalow hosts Don Nangloy Project on Don Khamao Island. As well as providing English classes for local kids, volunteers can develop extracurricular activities, help with building and renovations, take care of their social media or do rice farming during the rainy season. You can stay there for a month for US$150, though volunteers are welcome for a shorter time.
⭐️Help Karenni Refugees
THAILAND > Karenni Social Development Center was set up in 2002 by graduates from the EarthRights School Myanmar in order to provide human rights, democracy, law and environment training for youth living in Karenni Refugee Camp #1 on the Thai-Myanmar border. Volunteer teachers are an essential part of life at KSDC.
They accept applications to teach English at their boarding school near Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand on an ongoing basis and have hosted many international volunteers over the years, asking that volunteers commit to at least three months. Room and three daily meals prepared by the students will be provided in return.
⭐️Host Musician
AT SEA > Scenic and Emerald Cruises seek a talented and experienced host musician to run daily music sets, and evening entertainment, liaise with guest entertainers, and bring the best experience to the guests on one of their big boats.
⭐️English Teachers Reveal Which Kids Are The Worst Behaved By Name
WORLDWIDE > In Korea, Jaydens are always a pain in the ass, though they have personality and it’s hard to stay mad at them; Spanish Hectors are troublemakers; and, while children named after basketball players consistently cause chaos in China, hardly anyone likes a Gia Bao. English teachers around the world reveal their most badly behaved students by name.
⭐️Snow Penises, Psychopathic Managers, Guests Tipping With Cannabis: The Highs And Lows Of Ski Season
EUROPE > A former season worker reveals what goes on behind the scenes at a ski hotel.
⭐️Paid Volunteering At Sistema Cyprus For The 'Agents Of Change' Project 2025-2026
CYPRUS > Are you a young musician or young conductor interested in working with youth orchestras? Or a social worker, psychologist, or a young person with a knack for managing projects and being involved in social inclusion and/or music activities? Sistema Cyprus is offering accommodation, pocket money and travel expenses to young people aged 18 to from EU countries who are eager to make a difference and be a part of a team dedicated to creating social change. Here’s their application form.
⭐️Vacancies On The Isles of Scilly
UK > Dinghy, windsurf, power, SUP instructors, and general staff (with watersports/boating knowledge and customer service experience) vacancies are open to new crew members to join Isles of Scilly Watersports for a summer season.
⭐️Watersport Instructor Jobs In Mallorca, Neretva, and Darwin
SPAIN, CROATIA & AUSTRALIA > Water Sports Mallorca, Kanza Kiteschool, and Darwin Sailing Club are all looking for water based instructors for the 2025 seasons in their respective locations.
⭐️Experience The Magic Of The Greek Islands
GREECE > Remarc is rounding up EU nationals interested in embracing an opportunity to teach yoga in a dream destination.
⭐️Recruitment For Festival Campaigners Kicks In This Month
UK > Stating that campaigning is a good way to get involved with music festivals, help worthwhile causes and bag yourself a free ticket is something we’ve written in this newsletter before and we’re not going to sit here for a couple of hours trying to think up a new, exciting, and better way to introduce this rehash of an old post when this will do perfectly well, thank you.
Environmental and other lobbying groups use the large festival crowds for direct or indirect fundraising and to get across their messaging. Check out the websites of the following organisations, most of which should have opened applications for 2025 by the time this issue goes live: WaterAid (including their Facebook page), Oxfam, Greenpeace, Child Bereavement, and ActionAid. Also, try My Cause UK.
⭐️Volunteer Slots For Nowadaze 2025 Are Filling Up
UK > Nowadaze is a music, performance and arts festival set in the beautiful fields of the South West. Volunteers can earn themselves a ticket for a few shifts in July.
⭐️Applications Now Being Accepted For SCOA’s 2025 Japan Summer Camp Counselor Internship Programme
JAPAN > For over 19 years, SCOA has been bringing American athletes and cheer dancers to Japan for a cultural exchange with Japanese students. Open to US college students and recent graduates who participated in a team sport, cheering or dancing in high school or college, SCOA’s internship is unpaid but includes airfare, food and lodging, and sightseeing in Tokyo. Counselors come to Japan for five weeks starting around mid-July and stay until the third week of August.
⭐️Pan African Sanctuary Alliance
AFRICA > PASA brings together a unique coalition of primate sanctuaries and wildlife centres, local to global NGO partners, specialised experts, and compassionate supporters united by a determination to protect African primates forever. Their 23 member sanctuaries collectively care for over 3,000 animals. Many of them accept volunteers.
⭐️Shed Building
AUSTRALIA > This vacancy is described as an excellent opportunity for backpackers with relevant experience looking to work in a rewarding and hands on role.
⭐️Phnom Penh Volunteer Opportunity For Women
CAMBODIA > Harpswell, which advances young women leaders in Southeast Asia with education, training and a supportive network, is looking for committed young women to volunteer with them to support, mentor, teach, collaborate with and live alongside their Cambodian Women’s Leadership students and alumnae in Phnom Penh. Full room and board plus travel insurance, and a monthly stipend are among the benefits.
⭐️Help A Social Enterprise In Sapa
VIETNAM > In 2010, Peter Gilbert was passing through Sapa, a hill town in the north of Vietnam, on the way to Laos when he heard about a fledgling organisation dedicating itself to improving the literacy of local children. Initially, he volunteered for three months as an English teacher with Sapa O’Chau but after a short visit home to Sheffield, and a winter season working in Japan, he returned to continue helping with the project.
Sapa O’Chau has since gone on to establish itself as an award winning social enterprise, providing high school age students, mostly from Black Hmong and Red Dao minority villages, with accommodation so that they can attend high school in Sapa Town.
Founded by a former child street seller, the organisation is reliant on volunteers to teach or assist in the classroom. Other positions for volunteers include design, admin and media tasks. Volunteers should be self funding, finding their own accommodation locally. Volunteers who can spare three months have the option to work in their tour department, for which they offer full training, support and free room and board.
Nearby is Luckydaisy’s Bamboo Bar and Buffalo House. Caroline and David wrote about their experiences volunteering there nearly a decade ago, and our indications are that they have been taking on volunteers regularly until much more recently.
⭐️Join The Circus
THAILAND > Travellers are often asked what they are running away from so why not go the whole hog and join the circus? Spark! Circus brings circus fun to migrant and refugee communities along the Thai/ Burmese border, hiring an international team of volunteer circus teachers and performers for its regular tours around the country. Volunteers will need to raise – or pay themselves – funds towards the project. Their website is never working when we try to find out how much this is but $750 was the last figure we had.
| Spark! Circus |
⭐️The Bukit Lawang Trust
INDONESIA > We once met a man who spent a night in Bukit Lawang clinging to a tree to save his life during the flash flood that hit the village in 2003. The Bukit Lawang Trust was founded in response to the flood that destroyed much of Bukit Lawang and killed more than 240 people, leaving 1400 people without a home. They are recruiting volunteers to support their English as a Foreign Language Programme (EFL). They ask all their international volunteers who come for a full eight week cycle to raise £1000 before joining them in northern Sumatra.
⭐️Bali And Bukit Lewang Dog And Cat Care
INDONESIA > Bali Animal Welfare Association is a non profit organisation working to save, protect and improve the lives of all animals in Bali and beyond. They accept volunteers, who should be self funding and find their own place to stay, for a minimum five shifts of four to eight hours (not necessarily consecutive days). Here’s their application form. Long term travellers Amy and Andrew, and Michael Huxley have both written about their experiences with them.
Another animal option, in Bukit Lewang, may be Conny Hörnchen’s Sumatra Dogs and Catcare. Volunteer details are sparse but the project started by a German animal lover who has a more established shelter in Sri Lanka recently took on their first volunteer in Sumatra.
⭐️Wildlife And Conservation Volunteer Programmes In West Java And Sumatra
INDONESIA > Cikananga Wildlife Center sometimes advertises conservation management positions on their website and social media, but we’re focusing on their open to everyone with no experience needed volunteering option. Activities include animal behaviour observations, enrichment and daily care of the animals which include crocodiles, hornbills, sun bears and primates such as orangutans and gibbons. Rates to stay with them in the foothills of rural West Java for a week to over five months range from €110 to €155 per week, covering dormitory accommodation, lunch, dinner and other daily necessities. They also offer internships to those with intermediate vocational education and bachelor level education. The Indonesian Species Conservation Program is an option for volunteers who contribute to their accommodation in North Sumatra.
⭐️Join The World Of Our Furry Friends
MALAYSIA > Are you visiting Langkawi and looking for a unique way to spend your time? WOOFF, a Langkawi based animal sanctuary, extends an invitation to stay at their sanctuary while learning to rescue and rehabilitate animals. Are you also a man is another question that needs answering as cultural constraints prevent single or solo female travellers from taking up this opportunity.
PAWS, in Petaling Jaya, SPCA Selangor, and Second Chance Animal Society, both on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, are three more animal shelters to consider if provided accommodation isn’t a necessity.
⭐️Volunteer English Teachers And Teaching Assistants In Lombok
INDONESIA > The dream of Mr Tony, the founder of the BC-Bright Course Foundation, is to have Westerners teach English in Lombok so that the students can be exposed to different cultures. A contribution of US$7 per day helps to cover the cost of three meals and homestay accommodation in an area surrounded by rice fields, rivers, and waterfalls.
⭐️Volunteer English And Chinese Teaching In Vientiane
LAOS > The volunteer experience at Sunshine School includes a diverse range of activities and opportunities to bond with the school and local community. Volunteers greatly enrich and expand the school’s educational perspective and reach. Get in touch to learn more about what it’s like to volunteer at Sunshine School. Other activities can be taught here too, or help out with building, PR and admin work.
Also in the capital, Village Focus International may be able to use some help from volunteers or interns. Tasks include legal research, grant writing, website design, communications, and fundraising.
⭐️Volunteering In Siem Reap
CAMBODIA > Beginning in 2005 with a photography festival, locally managed Anjali House supports over 200 children from poor families through education, scholarships, and community engagement. For a minimum of three months, volunteers can assist in several areas: in the classroom, social work, gardening, and with admin tasks. Each volunteer is responsible for their own stay in Siem Reap and a one off donation of $250 supports their programmes.
Established and run by the monks of Wat Damnak in Siem Reap, Life and Hope Association (LHA) is a non profit education focused NGO committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing compassionate care and access to education to the poorest and most vulnerable in Cambodia – especially children and disadvantaged young women. They are able to consider a small number of volunteers with qualifications or significant experience, including a social worker, a general business all rounder, and people with fashion design experience to work at the Park Hyatt Siem Reap/LHA Sewing Training School. Most volunteer placements are part time, on a three month minimum/six month preferred basis. There is no fee to pay, but volunteers will need to fund their food and accommodation.
Another project that does not ask for a fee (though volunteers have been encouraged to contribute financially to the ongoing running of the projects by fundraising at home) but where volunteers will need to arrange their own accommodation and food is Journeys Within Our Community. Every international volunteer here brings a different set of skills that will leave a lasting and sustainable impact on the people and communities they work with, whether it is providing hands on training to their staff or scholarship students, designing curricula or upgrading their IT systems.
Also, check out Angkor Hospital for Children. This charitable hospita provides outpatient, inpatient, intensive, surgical, HIV care, and other services free of charge. They accept help from medical professionals, but non medical volunteers are also welcome to assist with administrative undertakings, teaching English, and playing with the children. Applications are accepted all year.
While their Facebook page is up to date, the website of ECC Cambodia, an NGO that provides free education to around 100 students from the local village of Po, had gone a bit wonky when we visited them recently. Their Workaway listing has also been taken offline. When we featured them in JAB over a year ago we said they depended on volunteers to provide daily classes to a wide range of ages and levels. Volunteers also support the village next to Po, by providing classes in their Pagoda. You don’t necessarily need to come from a teaching background and they were also looking for help in administration (IT and web) areas, welcoming people who can get stuck in, are flexible and are able to multitask. Three meals a day and accommodation in the home of the family who founded the school are provided. To cover the basic costs they ask for a minimal donation of $56 per week.
The Green Gecko Project - who help street children and their families - has long since proudly moved to being staffed by paid Khmer employees and no longer relies on or has positions for foreign volunteers to fill valuable roles. However, knowing first hand how rewarding volunteering can be they have provided links to reputable local organisations. The first two links are duds, but The Women’s Resource Center, Safe Haven Medical Outreach, and Grace House Community Centre each have volunteer pages on their websites.
Green Gecko also suggest using ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment & Responsible Tourism). Several of the projects they promote can use some volunteer help from time to time with English teaching, childcare, social work, administrative work, IT skills, manual work, graphic design, photography, activity planning, fundraising and marketing. ConCERT offers free information and advice about volunteering and can arrange a volunteer placement for you that matches up the current needs of their projects with your skills and experience. This they do for a fee, and it’s a pretty chunky one for short term volunteers - US$320 for one week - but does drop considerably when staying longer.
⭐️Use The Brazilian Art Of Capoeira To Empower Underprivileged Children
PHILIPPINES > We’ve mentioned them before in a back issue of JAB, but we don’t have much else for the Philippines so let’s mention them again. Casa Bantu is a community centre located at the heart of one of Manila's most densely populated slums that uses the art of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, music and spirituality, to empower vulnerable children and young people by helping them develop important behavioural and social skills as well as teaching them critical thinking.
Volunteers may choose to support existing programmes in the areas of providing food, academic support, basic literacy and numeracy and job skills training or may choose to design a programme or set of activities that conform to their particular areas of expertise. Bantu is a small organization and cannot at this time offer accommodation to volunteers. Volunteers are welcome to the food that they prepare and do not charge any fees for volunteering. Volunteers also can get free lessons on Capoeira. See their website for more information or send them a message at info@projectbantu.org.ph.
⭐️Mom Tik Camp
THAILAND > We probably would have passed on mentioning Mom Tik Camp here had we found out early on when investigating their dysfunctional website about their US$270 weekly fee but we’ve started so we’ll finish. They find managing volunteers’ requests a very tedious process and cannot afford to make all that effort so they get Worldpackers to do it. While this post comes off as very snarky, what they describe as an exciting volunteer opportunity to teach English to children in an underprivileged area of Thailand may well be a wonderful experience.
⭐️Apply To Zis By February 16 For Free Travel
GERMANY > Zis travel scholarships are open to young people of all nationalities as long as they are aged under 21. Non German applicants can apply if they live in Germany, travel to a German speaking country or choose a topic with a context to German culture.
⭐️Yoga Mela Festival
SWEDEN > These people have volunteered at the Yoga Mela Festival in Divinya, held this year from June 28 to July 20. They are welcoming new volunteers for 2025. Applications can also be made through HelpStay.
⭐️Ten Italian Towns Selling Homes For €1
ITALY > This is Italy has put together a list of towns with homes sold for a euro in a quite annoying click next and an ad might pop up format.
⭐️Dirt And Dust Festival Volunteers
AUSTRALIA > The most Australian festival we can imagine is taking place this year from April 11 to 13, when the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival celebrates the Queensland Outback with dirt, dust, sweat, beers, and tears. They were recently looking for camp hosts via Grey Nomads and there is also a general volunteer form on their website
⭐️Tips On How To Become A Professional Freelance Photographer
WORLDWIDE > Among other things, Matthew Karsten has leveraged his photography skills to become an Expert Vagabond. He presents his tips for turning freelance photography into a paid profession.
⭐️North Atlantic Islands Residency 2025
DENMARK & NORWAY > Original Errant and The Excelsior Trust are excited to announce a new residency for 2025, once again taking place onboard the Lowestoft fishing smack, Excelsior. This year the three week voyage will take participants from Esbjerg, taking in northern Denmark, southern Norway, the Skagerrak, Limfjord, and finishing in Aalborg on September 6. The North Atlantic Islands Residency is aimed towards established artists and young innovators, providing the opportunity to explore the emotional dynamics of being at sea, personal disciplines, fieldwork study, knowledge exchange, plus working towards a collaborative project, exhibition and publication for 2026. February 16 is the application deadline for artists. Young innovators have until March 2.
⭐️Young Volunteer Ranger
UK > Are you a young person aged 17-25? Are you interested in pursuing a career within the green sector? Join Northumberland National Park on a young volunteer ranger placement this spring to develop on the job skills through a range of practical tasks, working with groups of volunteers of all abilities, and engaging and dealing with the public. Placements are open until February 28.
In East Yorkshire, the RSPB is looking for an enthusiastic and committed residential volunteer to help deliver a comprehensive programme of seabird monitoring and research at an internationally important site. Accommodation (including utility bills) is provided in the small village of Bempton, one mile from the reserve. More opportunities like these can be found here.
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Red Tape
JAB is thrown together quickly on a shoestring and contains information and advertising that we believe is authentic and currently available. However, we recommend checking things out for yourselves as we could be wrong about everything. We remind our readers that there are many scams on the internet aimed at people looking for work abroad and suggest reading our Warnings, Safety and Spotting Scams pages.