The International Humanity Foundation is looking for directors to manage our orphanage in Chiang Rai, Thailand, and be friends and teachers to our children. By bringing together disadvantaged children of Thailand and volunteers from across the world, there is a learning opportunity for both. As both sides discover more about each other, their lives and their cultures and go on to teach their own friends what they learned in this exchange, we hope to create a world of greater understanding and compassion. Our Thailand centre works especially with the hill tribes, the indigenous people who live in the tumultuous borderlands between Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos and as far as China and Vietnam. The hill tribes in northern Thailand face many challenges, and it is part of our mission to arm our children with the skills, attitudes and knowledge that they will need to have equal opportunities in their future like other Thai citizens. The children at our centre are from the Lahu and Akha tribes. Work IHF needs people with all skills. No matter your experience, whether a student or retired professional, IHF needs you. At the centre, volunteers divide their time between playing with and teaching the children and working on international tasks. The centre host English, computer and math classes, and the children often seek tutoring for their homework, all tasks which volunteers take part in. All directors lead on one or more of our international task teams such as university relations, photography and child watch. To qualify to work at a centre, volunteers must complete twenty hours of work on one of the teams, and they continue to participate on the team once at the centre. In the rare case where you lack the ability to complete these hours but possess certain trade skills in agriculture, construction or others needed at one of our centres, you may be exempt from these pre-trip hours. If this is the case, be sure to immediately get in contact with the centre director to discuss your situation and possible alternative tasks. It is important to note that IHF strictly requires its directors to work eight hours a day (four hours at the center and four hours online), six days a week. If this work is not completed, you will be dismissed from your position. As an entirely volunteer-run organization, IHF depends upon its members to contribute to the day-to-day operations, both locally and internationally. Without these daily hours, IHF would cease to function, so directors must be deliberate in their use of time. This is not a vacation. Directors are expected to work hard. Cost: Except for the initial transport to the center, directors are not responsible for any costs. Salary / Pay: Directors must commit to serve at least a year at the center. For the first three months, they are paid a living stipend of USD $120. At the end of this training period, the monthly stipend increases to USD $160. Directors are expected to work eight hours a day, six days a week, and have one long weekend every month. Additionally, directors are provided with a simple, private room, often furnished with only a bed, at the center and have the opportunity to eat all of their meals at the center with the children. Directors are responsible for paying for any special treats or outside meals they might wish to buy. Admittedly, this is little pay for demanding work, but IHF is only looking for those who genuinely want to help children and who seek no financial benefit for themselves. This low stipend also assures that the greatest amount of money goes toward the children, the most important part of IHF. Volunteer Type: Building schools, community development, childcare/children, culture, curriculum planning, disability issues, economic development education, English teaching, health, health care, health education, homelessness, hospital, housing, human rights, literacy, marketing, medicine, nutrition, orphans, popular education, primary education, street kids, teaching, women, water, writing, youth, youth development, academic reinforcement, AIDS/HIV, appropriate technology Typical Volunteer: Our volunteers have a passion for immersion in foreign cultures, an openness to new experiences and a flexible approach to work. At our centres they work with local staff and directly with the local population in conditions very different from the Western world. Special projects constantly arise and include moving food during famine feeds to monitoring children during breaks. Our center directors have a lot of say in what they do as long as it is approved by the president and follows the mission of IHF. Available To Participants: World wide Typical Living Arrangement: Group living Participants Travel: Independently Typically Participants Work: Independently or in groups, depending on site Application Requires: Resume, written application Qualifications: Volunteers with IHF must speak English fluently and have a great attitude. They must also be mature, responsible, team players, fast learners, flexible and interested in global change through education and service. Most importantly, our volunteers must have an open heart and a willingness to help others and make a difference! Mission Statement: IHF focuses on educating and feeding children who come from the most marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds. IHF has set up orphanages in Kenya, Indonesia and Thailand. We seek to provide a way for children to get an education that they desperately desire and are not able to receive. By educating and teaching these children that they are significant and competent, we also teach them that everyone has a voice that matters. IHF promotes self-sufficiency in the communities we work in, primarily focusing on the education, nutrition, and care of children. IHF encourages understanding and caring between people of all nations and religions in order to better prepare the leaders of future generations. We believe that by promoting communication and understanding between students from the poorest of the poor and students in America, we will all be better educated by this exchange. We desire for every student in the United States to have communication with students abroad who are different both culturally and socioeconomically, in order for all students to be educated about the world they live in. Please visit www.ihfonline.org or send us an email at hiring2@ihfonline.org if you want to learn more or have questions about volunteering with IHF.
