Monday, April 18, 2011

Hiatus... Hoping: South Asia

Pillars: Volunteering, Ecology Study


Accommodation:


Cambodia / Phnom Penh: Meas Family Homestay Affiliated with Pack for a Purpose and Books for Cambodia (registered New Zealand charity); organizes short term teaching with local primary schools UB


Cambodia / Siem Reap: Shinta Mani  Affiliated with Stay Another Day; runs elementary school adjacent to hotel.  We participated in one of their community development projects several years ago.  Currently (4/11) closed for renovations (evidently upgrading considerably from prior, very acceptable but fairly modest, facility.  Recently opened sister facility in LP/Laos.

Cambodia / Siem Reap: Sala Bai Affiliated with French development agency and partner NGO; looks more like Shinta Mani looked four years ago.  Runs very small (4 room) hotel and restaurant; affiliated with a number of local projects.


Laos / Northest of Vientiane: Rivertime Ecolodge  Affiliated with Pack for a Purpose; has wealth of cultural immersion activities and short term volunteering.  TA feedback largely positive, including from several families.  UB

Laos / Luang Prabang: Shinta Mani Affiliated with Stay Another Day and sister property in Siem Reap.  Looks very very posh...

Volunteering:

Conservation in Borneo with GVI:  MB; listed as one of the family-friendly projects.  I also like their teaching english to monks in LP/Laos but that one is NOT listed as family friendly; as well as several attractive teaching/orphanage projects in Thailand.

Ponheary Ly Foundation in Cambodia: UB various opportunities with schools; linked by sixintheworld but they may just have stayed in the guesthouse; not clear if appropriate for families

Volunteer Thailand: Vast database from idealist.org of local NGOs in Thailand.  Most want 3+ month commitment, but some are shorter term and a handful explicitly welcome families; peruse anew closer to timeframe.


Isara in Nong Khai, Thailand (not too far in *distance* from Laos border crossing SE of Vientiane): From Volunteer Thailand; network of primary schools plus they run their own (free, volunteer run) evening English class for adults.  Open to families but they suggest finding own accommodations; will help find short term apartment.  UB

AboutAsia Schools: Cambodian non-profit, also registered as US 501(c)3, supporting 6 schools in Siem Reap.  Affiliated with Points of Light.



Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala, India (JM works here); won Opera Montessori Internacionale award in 2000

In-country logistics:

Tiger Trail / Fair Trek: For profit, Dutch/German/Lao company specializing in cultural immersion / voluntourism.  Most of the LP-based trips MB

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