Become a volunteer
We appreciate your interest in becoming a volunteer. Before proceeding with your application,
we ask you to carefully review the terms and conditions, our Child Protection Policy and the
"Volunteer Promise", this will ensure that you are well informed and prepared for your volunteer
experience with us. Thank you once again for your commitment!
We want to make it clear that your reason for applying to us is based on your desire to help our children. It will require long days of work, and you cannot expect a vacation.
Who we are looking for
Someone who is independent, responsible and flexible
Someone who can work in a team where there are cultural and language differences
Someone with an open mind that things can be done in a different way.
Someone who can adapt and respect Thai culture and law
Someone who is comfortable with dogs, other animals and insects (e.g. snakes, frogs, spiders).
What is to be expected
To follow the upbringing of the children based on Thai culture
The Volunteer period must be for at least 3 months (with no exceptions for anyone)
Live for free and share a room with other volunteers at the home
Breakfast and dinner included (we cannot take into account special diets or allergies)
Not have access to the same standards of electricity, water and internet as you may be used to
Be susceptible to severe weather conditions (heat and rain)
Rent and drive a scooter, car or bicycle yourself
You will live about 15 minutes from bars, restaurants, etc.
You will be a representative of the home and should behave accordingly
That you have an insurance policy
That you are fully responsible for your belongings and their storage (the home is not responsible for any damage or loss)
You have completed any required vaccinations.
In case of illness or accident, you need to be able to provide for your own needs unless the situation poses an immediate threat to your life.
If you violate Thai law, your volunteer period will be immediately terminated.
If we have to terminate your volunteer period for any reason, you will be responsible for all costs afterwards.
WORKING HOURS AND TASKS
40/h work a week with a rolling schedule.
8 hours of work per day with early mornings and late evenings and nights.
During night shifts you sleep with the children (night shifts are not counted as working hours).
Examples of tasks
Morning routines: waking up, getting dressed, having breakfast and going to school.
Afternoon routine: snacks, helping with homework, eating dinner together and making sure the children go to bed on time.
Daytime: taking care of the children who are not in school, playing and making sure the children do their daily chores (e.g. washing, cleaning, etc.).
Weekends: accompany them on outings and help with the general running of the home.
If you want to know more about volunteering or talk to one of our former volunteers,
please contact Susanne Janson for their contact details. susannejanson63@gmail.com
How to apply
Make sure you read all the information carefully before applying.
Download and fill in our application form
Include a CV, references and an extract from the criminal record.
All applications should be sent to Susanne Janson via: susannejanson63@gmail.com
Once we have received your application, you will be contacted for an online interview.
If you are accepted, we will put you in contact with one of our former volunteers who
can help you with your preparations.
Other information that is good to know
Happy Child Home was created in response to the tsunami of December 26, 2004, which affected Thailand.
Happy Child Home opened in February 2005 to help children and families affected by the natural disaster,
but today there are no children or families living there for that reason. Many people in Thailand were already
poor and vulnerable before the Tsunami, so what our children have in common is poverty. Some have lost one
or both of their parents, others are here because they lack a family member or are dependent on taking care
of them, or relatives lack the strength to do so. The children come from all different parts of Thailand.
The home is in a constant state of change. Decisions that we cannot always influence happen, new children arrive
while other children move out. Consequently, as a volunteer you must be able to adapt to a constantly changing environment.
We accept volunteers from all over the world and we do not prioritize any specific professional experience.
Training in teaching, psychology, nursing is of course an advantage but not a requirement.
We highly value that our volunteers possess commitment, humor and stability, qualities that reflect that you
as a volunteer are in a good place in life. There is no room for those with personal problems, but you must be
strong in yourself and want to help our staff, other volunteers and especially the children.
Thai culture
You will encounter cultural differences wherever you go, and Thailand is no exception. Here things will be done
in the Thai way and we expect you as a volunteer to respect and adapt accordingly. You will live in Thai society and
work with Thai children and staff. It is therefore extremely important that you humbly listen to our staff and their
opinions on the children's education. The children we take care of should function in Thai society.
Our staff will be your colleagues during your volunteer period. They work under Thai working conditions that are
different from what you may be used to. They work six days a week, 8 hours a day and earn significantly less money
by Western standards. They are employed to look after our children and not the volunteers.
We expect you to show them respect and dignity.
The language spoken at the home is Thai, some of the children and staff know English but you cannot expect everyone
to adapt to you and your language skills. You will therefore need to have the courage, strength and perseverance to
work with others where the English language can only be a small part of the communication.
It is important to understand that you cannot expect to be informed about things that are happening, but that you
have to actively keep yourself informed and cooperate with the Thai staff.
The children
Above all, take into account that our children come from many different backgrounds and that the main focus is to
help them help themselves and not feel sorry for them. Every child that comes to us is amazing and deserves amazing
volunteers. And we hope that, as a volunteer, you can act as a good role model for the children, listen to them, help
them with homework, play, do household chores, and help them learn how to live together. together and help them learn English.
There are currently 27 children living in the home, ranging from younger children to older teenagers. As a volunteer, you must
have an interest in working with teenagers and all the challenges related to that period of life.
Work and living conditions
As a volunteer, you work 5-6 days per week and about 8 hours per day. You will work on a rolling schedule with
your own shifts and overlapping shifts to give the children as much time and attention as possible. In addition
to working hours, there are night shifts and standby shifts. Working hours and workload vary depending on
the number of volunteers.
You are expected to be flexible with your working hours and may have to fill in even on a day off. You will live in
the home for free and have access to breakfast and dinner, but we cannot cater for any special diets or allergies.
Your accommodation will be based on Thai standards and you can expect to share a room with other volunteers.
You will sleep on a mattress on the floor and have access to a toilet, fan, mosquito nets and cold running water.
It is important to mention that the home is the children's home and they will live as they usually do. For example,
you may be woken up earlier than expected on a day off because the children are already awake.
Our home is in the countryside where we have cats and dogs living with us but we also get visits from animals
(e.g. snakes, lizards, spiders etc). This is something you must be able to handle.
In the event of an unexpected termination of the volunteer period
Your volunteer period with us can and will be terminated immediately if you do not
comply with our terms and conditions, our Child Protection Policy or Thai law.
In this case, you as a volunteer will have to cover all costs.
We appreciate the time and effort you have put into reading about what it takes to
become a volunteer with us. If you are still interested in becoming a volunteer,
please submit your application.
Thank you again for your interest and we look forward to welcoming you as a volunteer.
If you have any questions, please contact us via susannejanson63@gmail.com or call +66 (0) 8789 33 692.