• extensive online Pre Departure Handbook, Volunteer, Travel, Visa, Teach, Thai Language and Culture Advice.
•  a 3 day optional Volunteer Training in Thailand (for volunteers going to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos) before start: learn Thai, Lao, information about SE Asian Culture and Do’s and Don’ts, Advice on Volunteer Work, Teach and Live with local people, teaching practical exercises, Eco Tourism information, and Saturday welcome party.
• in Nepal a one day introduction with information about the placement, country , language and culture
• OpenmindProjects Volunteer Handbook - learn Thai, Lao, SE Asia and culture, OpenmindProjects work and philosophy. Including the Teaching Manual – lesson plans, role plays, songs, gamesand other practical tips.
• OpenmindProjects CD ROM with teaching tips, lesson plans, country/culture information, maps, Thai language exercises, Eco Tourism/Wildlife Conservation and OpenmindProjects Information.
• accommodation at your placement. Home stay with a host family, school house, national park bungalow/room, or OpenmindProjects Volunteer Houses in NongKhai or Krabi in Thailand, Battambang in Cambodia, Kathmandu in Nepal.
• all meals, at home stays and national parks, at our Volunteer Houses, lunch at the school. If you have special dietary requirements, you can normally get that too, at an extra cost.
• in country 24 hour support from our English speaking staff.
• Volunteer Certificate upon the successful completion of your volunteer work.
• a life long memory and life changing experience!

You are responsible for    

• your travel costs, Travel and health insurance. Visa, we can help with invitation letters. Personal expenses. 

What we and the projects we support get for your fees    

• fees fund our projects and activities. We have considerably lower volunteer fees however, than most volunteer organizations, like I-to-I, Cross Cultural Solutions etc.
• aid and development work in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal such as new teaching material and methods, incl. computer based material, training local teachers and other staff, school holiday camps, Eco tourism and wildlife conservation projects; tour guide and hospitality training, websites and information in English.
• new projects/placements
• volunteer recruitment work. We don’t charge the beneficiaries for those costs but reimburse placements for volunteer accommodation and food
• contribution to cover our costs for Volunteer Resources such as  Pre Departure Volunteer Handbook,  free in Country Volunteer Orientations,  CD ROM and  Volunteer, Teach and ECO Handbooks, in country volunteer support
• contribution to cover our costs for offices, volunteer houses. Computers and office equipment. Internet, website, database costs. Admin/office and travel expenses. We have projects Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Nepal
• contribution to cover our costs for our staff and trainees, mostly from poor families and our own projects.  

Terms and Conditions     

• you agree to abide by local laws and volunteer rules. You are not supposed to proselytize, promote any political or religious opinions. As a volunteer you assure that you have no criminal record. You cannot borrow money from your placement or OpenmindProjects.
• sometimes placements do not require a volunteer as previously agreed, then we will arrange  a similar placement
• volunteers should leave their rooms clean after the orientation and placement and not bring friends to the placement, without prior agreement with OpenmindProjects
• volunteers are welcome to our volunteer houses during their free time and can stay there for free when room is available, for present and previous volunteers only.

Cancellation and Refunds

• if the volunteer cancels, the volunteer must notify OpenmindProjects in writing. The cancellation will be effective upon receipt of the writing in our office in NongKhai, Thailand. If the volunteer wants to terminate the volunteer stay, but fails to inform OpenmindProjects, no volunteer fee is refunded.
• if a volunteer faces problems at the placement it is the responsibility of the volunteer to inform OpenmindProjects immediately by telephone/email and in writing. Requests for a refund must be done in writing, and include the reasons for a refund, signed by the volunteer and with a copy to the placement and host.
• if a volunteer cancels participation in the volunteer program, more than 30 days prior to the scheduled arrival date, the program fee paid, less the admin fee, will be refunded. If the cancellation is effective within 30 days prior to the scheduled arrival date, the volunteer will be charged 75% of the program fee and the balance, less the deposit, will be refunded.
• no portion of the program fee is refundable if the cancellation is received on or after the scheduled arrival date.
• no refunds will be made for unused portions of the program or because of the volunteer’s failure or inability to participate in the OpenmindProjects program, however volunteers are offered to comeback at a later date for unused portions of their program
• the volunteer is responsible for any airfare or other travel fees, charges, expenses or penalties, that might result from a cancellation of or change in the volunteer’s program, whether the volunteer cancels the program or it is cancelled or altered by OpenmindProjects.
• if not the volunteer does not understand the cancellation policy, it is his/her responsibility to ask for a clarification. No exceptions are made to this cancellation policy for any reasons, including medical emergencies.
• we recommend volunteers to purchase a trip cancellation insurance if they believe they may have to change plans!

Apply Now and get more information about your volunteer overseas opportunitie