Volunteer in Laos

Volunteer in Laos with Openmind Projects Content 1. Information the Laos 2. Projects

You can volunteer in village projects in the mountains in central Laos, community and ecotourism projects.

Laos - Communist rule, capitalist system!

Laos is a small country landlocked between Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Myanmar and Thailand.

It’s incredibly scenic with stunning mountains, waterfalls, Buddhist caves and more. “One of the most beautiful countries I have ever been too,” says Sven, our well-traveled cofounder. Apart from the old, charming capital Luang Prabang, a place not to miss is the Plain of Jars, a group of fields with over 2,500 big jars about 2,000 years old. Nobody knows for sure who made them or why!

Laos is the most heavily bombed place in the world.

Because of bombings during the Vietnam War, this unique Plain of Jars took a horrible beating! Read The Plain of Jars by Nick Lombardi! Sven got a copy from the author and could not stop reading.. Laos is unfortunately also a victim of overexploitation. It was once “the land of a million elephants” (Lane Xan), but sadly it’s now the land of only 1,000 elephants (Lane Pan). Illegal logging is also a major problem with most of the wood being exported to western countries, China and Japan.

Your volunteer work You help young and old, English (conversation) always on the agenda but also other training, like how to be a good eco guide. You need to bring some teaching material since school facilities are very poor,

and bring your imagination and energy too. More information about the village projects in the appendix!

Your free time sightseeing Culture Do not miss amazing Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of exquisitely alluring temples. Go to one of the many festivals in the countryside and along the Mekong River, and enjoy the very special village experience!

Nature Visit beautiful Vang Vieng with its caves, river rafting, and climbing. Go to the 1000 islands with the rare dolphins in the south. Follow the Ho Chi Minh trail and much more‌ Then cross over the Mekong River to meet OpenmindProjects friends in Thailand at our Center in Nong Khai!

They offer amazing, genuine and sometimes challenging living conditions, simple living with very friendly and thankful people!

'Our 2 weeks with OpenmindProjects in Laos was one of the most memorable and rewarding holiday experiences we have had as a couple in over 30 years.’ say volunteers Claire and Andy from Australia.

READ ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN VOLUNTEER WITH OPENMINDPROJECTS IN LAOS

1.PHOU KHAO KHOUAI 2.NALONG VILLAGE 3.TREE TOP EXPLORER

Phou Khao Khouai Community Based Tourism and Teaching Englsh

Phu Khao Khouai

The Phou Khao Khouai mountains offer volunteers an amazing experience in rural villages in Laos!

Teach English in lush natural surroundings alongside local villagers, guides and children, and also help put into practice ecotourism and trekking services.

This is an opportunity to get involved in a grass roots community and ecotourism program!

Perfect for a volunteer, family or couple with an interest in nature, village life, farming, local people, and culture!

This is your opportunity to experience life in a Lao village as you share the household chores and farm work. You'll have a chance to get in some great trekking too!

When you volunteer in Ban Had Khai, Ban Na, or Ban Yang Kua villages, the focus is on teaching English and environmental awareness to children; teaching English and guiding skills to trekking tour guides; and providing hospitality skills and language tips to homestay families.

Phou Khao Khouai is home to endangered animals such as clouded leopards, gibbons and deer as well as birds such as the beautiful green peafowl.

By helping the villagers earn an extra income from community based tourism, you will help preserve this unique environment.

This program was started over 10 years ago by a German aid organization. With further support from Canada and our volunteers, villagers have continued to develop the Phu Khao Khouai Community and Ecotourism project.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay with a host family and get to live a simple, Lao style life. Meals are provided by the family.

Location

These villages are located in Bolikhamsai Province, which is about 100 km (an hour and a half by bus) from Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Details Project type:

Community and Ecotourism

Villages:

Ban Na Ban Had Kai Ban Yang Khueay Na Long

Accommodation:

A simple, village life homestay with a local family

Population:

About 600 people in each village

Ecotourism attractions: Trekking. waterfalls and wildlife

Nalong Village Northern Laos

TEACH ENGLISH IN NALONG VILLAGE, LAOS, DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

Nalong is where one of our trainees, Kharn, teaches English during his summer holidays from June into August. First, he comes to our training center in Nong Khai, Thailand, to improve his English and get new teaching ideas. Then, he goes to Nalong to teach at the local primary school where there are up to 200 students. Hopefully, a volunteer or two goes along with him to help these eager young students!

Location

Nalong is surrounded by rice farms and jungle. This is the Lao countryside, so there is no wifi, only nature and nice people! Don't forget that making friends after school with children and their families is a great way for you to learn about Lao village life and for them to improve their English!

Project type: Teach English Country: Laos Accommodation: Homestay

Tree Top Explorer Tree Top Explorer is a jungle adventure based in the mountains of Champasak Province, in the Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area.

Featuring zip lines, rope walkways and a via ferrata, it attracts thrill seeking tourists who want to experience ... responsible sustainable tourism .

Set up by Green Discovery Laos, it is supported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on account of the principles of community based ecotourism applied throughout the project.

Primary concerns are the protection of wildlife and cooperation with the local communities: personnel are recruited from the local village, and tourists' fees go towards supporting the villagers and the National Protected Areas.

Location

Project type: Ecotourism Teach English Country: Laos Location: Ban Nong Louang, Champasak province Accommodation: Homestay