Amongst the peoples of Thailand there are many individuals, families and whole communities who live in extreme poverty and are very vulnerable to exploitation.

Hands is a Christian charity dedicated to serving the poor and disadvantaged and has been working in Thailand since 1997.
# Helping people to bring change to their lives and communities.
# Providing training and support in order to facilitate exponential growth.
# Encouraging sustainable development and lasting benefits

Hands in conjunction with EIL offer 2 diverse group programmes to Thailand

1. Volunteering as part of a project team - 10th - 25th February
2. Cultural Experience - 14 days April / October

Overview

Hands assists with community development and relief aid.

Educational support activities include the renovation of rural schools and the provision of equipment. Through our sponsorship programme children and young people benefit from an education that would otherwise have been denied to them.

Culvert building in Thailand Projects for villages typically include the provision of clean water supplies, latrines and food production. We also encourage and support the development of skills and new initiatives that will generate income for poor families and communities.

In certain areas along the border between Burma and Thailand we are seeking to respond to the suffering of men, women and children displaced by the brutal policies and practices of the Burmese military dictatorship. This includes the provision of basic necessities for people in desperate and urgent need; food, clothing, mosquito nets, blankets and medical help.

Hands supports the protection of children at risk

Stop children traffickingIn the same region hands works to combat the trafficking of children for the sex trade and sweat shops.

The provision of protection, education and greater awareness of the dangers faced by young people in the region are part of the range of responses that 'hands' is involved in.

Hands responds to emergency and disaster situations

Our focus is to help with the long term rehabilitation of those who have experienced the tragedy and suffering of disasters like the Tsunami. Where possible, the urgent and immediate needs of such situations are also responded to.

Hands Projects

Hands is involved in several projects in the north of Thailand which assists in the combating of child trafficking, relief aid for displaced people or those affected by natural disasters and income generation for poor and disadvantaged people.

Hostels- working with both girls and boys hostels (total approx. 80 children) from disadvantaged families..

School work – helping government schools with a large percentage of children from displaced families, teaching English, and sports programmes.

Practical work – involving projects on ‘hands’ farms, small projects in remote villages or in local schools.

Programme Details

Group 1: Volunteering as part of a project team.

Duration and CostsProject group to Thailand

* 16 day trip
* Arrive Thursday 10th Feb …. Depart Friday 25th February
* Cost £1150.00

Arrival and Orientation

Upon arrival you will be met at Chiang Mai airport by a member of the Hands team. Cultural orientation will be given during the first few days, where you will also have the opportunity to meet and bond with your fellow team members and hands team. You will stay in a hotel in Chiang Mai during this period. After that you will travel by mini bus further North to several project locations where you will meet other Hands team members who will help you settle into your new environments.

Accommodation and Projects

Accommodation outside of Chiang Mai will consist of shared rooms within one of the Hands centres (basic single/double beds or bunks with duvets, pillows and mosquito nets), or within chalet style twin rooms. Accommodation is basic but comfortable. European style wet rooms are available in most locations with basic wc, shower/wash facilities.

All meals are provided.

Project work will include, school and hostel visits, Teaching in a school in Thailandhelping to run sports, action songs, arts and crafts and drama activities. Practical projects will be carried out within the local communities and could comprise of basic painting, maintenance, crop planting, or more substantial works in the form of gabion reinforcement, building work, ground works etc for the more energetic. ‘Relationship building’ is key to the team visits so interaction with the local communities and young people is a priority, with evening activities, taster sessions, reading, games etc. Opportunities to visit local villages, farms and other ‘hands’ ongoing projects will be made available, including possibilities to observe and be involved with local teaching sessions in schools.

What is included in the programme?

* On arrival airport greeting and collection
* Orientation and basic cultural study
* Brief overview of ‘hands’ organisation and ethos and meet the team
* Internal transport costs
* Project placement
* All Accommodation
* All Meals
* A financial contribution to the project
* Ongoing support from local coordinator

What is not included in the cost of the programme?

* Airfare to Chiang Mai in Thailand
* Travel/Medical/Project work insurance (obligatory)
* Injections and Malaria tablets
* Personal expenses
* Any Visa or renewal costs

For further information please contact Ann at EIL a.pritchard@eiluk,org

Group 2: Cultural Experience

Costs and Duration

* 14 day trip
* April and October (Dates to be confirmed)
* Cost £1,485.00
* Minimum group size 8
* Maximum group size 12
* This programme will only run if there are enough confirmed applicants to meet the minimum number criteria. A deposit of £400 will be payable on application, which will be refunded in full, should the group be undersubscribed.

Arrival and Orientation

Upon arrival you will be met at Chiang Mai airport by a member of the Hands team. Cultural orientation will be given during the first few days, where you will also have the opportunity to meet others on this trip as well as the hands team who will be your guides. You will stay in a hotel in Chiang Mai during this period. After that you will travel by mini bus further North to several cultural locations were you will experience Cultural Thailand in all its raw beauty.

Accommodation and Projects

Accommodation outside of Chiang Mai will consist of hotels and guest houses.(Although a night or two in a local village for those who wish, will be a different experience)

All meals are provided.

Hill tribe craftsYou will learn about cultural life in Thailand and some of the activities you could be involved in are: a visit to a hill tribe village, learning tribal skills, working in a paddy field or tea plantation, an opportunity to live with and help local Shan displaced people, visit a local school, community and market.

You will experience breath taking beauty, sample fantastic food and have the opportunity to see first hand the contexts and relationships that the ‘Hands Charity’ is involved with.

What is included in the cost of the programme?

* On arrival airport greeting and collection by trip guides
* Orientation and basic cultural awareness
* Internal transport costs
* Cultural placement
* All Accommodation
* All Meals
* A financial contribution to the charity

What is not included in the cost of the programme?

* Airfare to Chiang Mai in Thailand
* Travel and Medical insurance (obligatory), also relevant insurance to cover all aspects of the itinerary
* Injections and Malaria tablets
* Personal expenses
* Any Visa or renewal costs

For further information please view the profile below