Child Care in Surin
Surin is one of Thailand’s poorest provinces; there are many child care projects in and around Surin providing a safe and secure location for the children of very poor families. With monthly wages as low as 50 GBP for an adult working on a farm this is an essential resource. Moreover, in many cases parents move to the cities to find work leaving Grandparents to bring up the children. The use of the centres is very welcome break of these people.
Along with helping the local staff to look after the children the centres are all in need of renovation and repair. Many groups will be asked to undertake development in conjunction with their child care volunteering.
These children just need more fun in their lives. Keeping yourselves busy arranging games and activities will put such big smiles on the kids faces and give you a huge sense of satisfaction. Child care volunteering is such meaningful work.
If you are asked to support any development work Starfish supplies all the equipment required and our staff work alongside you ensuring the project is a success. Previous groups have painted walls, drawn fantastic murals, renovated kitchens and much much more. Just a few hours a day can make such a difference. All of this work has a long term positive affect on the staff, the children, the families and the local community.
Starfish currently supports a number of child care centres in and around Surin. We rotate our volunteers so each centre benefits from our support.
- Fact File
- Location
- Schedule
| Location: | Surin |
| Arrival Airport: | Bangkok |
| Arrival Dates: | 10 Feb, 9 Mar, 11 May, 8 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug, 7 Sep, 2 Nov, 7 Dec |
| Availability: | All Year |
| Duration: | 4-12 weeks |
| Cost: | 2 weeks £595, 4 weeks £765, 8 weeks £1020, 12 weeks £1275 |
| What is Included: | Airport pick up and transfers, Bangkok stopover, journey to location, accommodation, local coordinator |
| What you need to arrange: | International flight, visa, vaccinations, food, expenses |
Surin is located in the Northeast of Thailand, about 7 hours from Bangkok. It can be reached by bus or by train from the capital or from the North of the country. From Surin it is only one hour to the border crossing with Cambodia.
Surin and Northeast Thailand are a little off the tourist radar, but you will be rewarded when you visit, as you will get to experience the real, untouched Thailand. There are many local bars, shops and restaurants in the town plus a night food market. Surin is an extremely safe place to stay.
Surin once belonged to the Khmer empire so you will find scattered ancient temples from the same period as the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. Surin is now most famous for the annual elephant festival that takes place in November. The elephants are well treated in this region and the mahouts are proud of their standard of care.
The countryside surrounding Surin has many places of interest to visit including silk, silver and basket villages, where you can buy authentic locally made goods. Our volunteers in Surin are provided with bikes to explore Surin and the surrounding region, so you will have time to visit all of these places if you wish.
Surin has a bus and train station, so there are many ways to travel to and from the region. Easily reached from Surin include Khao Yai National Park, the Cambodia border and rural Thailand further Northeast for the more intrepid traveller.
Surin has a bus and train station, so there are many ways to travel to and from the region.
Volunteers work a 4 day week with the long weekend to relax or travel. On volunteer days our staff will pick you up in the mornings and take you to your project. Your pick up time will about 8am and you will back at your accommodation 3-4pm. Our staff work alongside you translating and supporting you throughout your day.