The Project
Asian Explorer

Thailand Community Development Expedition - This exciting expedition takes participants to the beautiful Krabi Province of Thailand. From the start of the expedition, participants are immersed in community English teaching programmes which run in conjunction with their TEFL certification training, and have the opportunity to become qualified teachers by the end of the five-week stay. Throughout the expedition exciting adventure and cultural side trips are run to gain the most of this stunning region. GVI offers a job placement service to all GVI TEFL graduates, assisting them in finding placements in local communities around the world or paid positions in the TEFL Industry. GVI is listed as an Institutional Member of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) and is a Member the College of Teachers (CoT).

Ao Luk is located in the south of Thailand, in an area that was devastatingly affected by the Asian tsunami tragedy of 2004. GVI’s Thailand expedition focuses on building local capacity by providing English language and environmental education to the local people, so they can maximise from the benefits of the resurging tourist trade. In Ao Luk, GVI works closely with a number of local organisations and attendance of GVI’s English lessons is fully credited towards graduation from one of the area’s recognised education centres. This English language education assists in providing local people with viable employment alternatives, who have previously had little or no opportunity.

Volunteer Work with Tribal Communities in India - Despite being a rapidly developing nation, poverty still exists in many parts of India, making community projects like this extremely invaluable. This project takes volunteers to teach basic English and Mathematics to underprivileged primary school children in a fun and playful way, giving them a better start in life through education. You will work with tribal communities in Rajasthan, north-west India – an area famed for its palaces, maharajas and exotic colours. Also included are opportunities to take part in weekly workshops, including Hindi Classes, yoga and cookery, giving you a great insight into the local way of life. At the beginning of the first month volunteers will go on an excursion, camel trekking and camping in the desert, visiting the famous desert town of Jodhpur. Volunteers also have the opportunity to finish off their placement by visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Local schools are understaffed and under-resourced, so by volunteering you make it possible for all the children to be taught effectively, whilst taking the pressure off the teachers themselves. Some of the schools have 90 children and only one teacher, so with volunteer help, we split the class sizes to enable us to focus our attention on individual children and their specific needs.

Volunteer in Nepal - Upon your arrival into the beautiful country of Nepal, volunteers will have an orientation in the capital city of Kathmandu and the ancient city of Bhaktapur. During this time, you have the chance to explore the Kathmandu Valley; trekking, white water rafting and seeing the temples. You will then be placed at one of the various project locations, where you will gain a personal insight into the Nepalese people and culture during your stay.

Nepal is a developing country where more than 40% of the total population lives below the most basic poverty line. Thousands of small children are deprived of educational opportunities in Nepal because of many social issues and the lack of schooling opportunities. Choices for volunteering include working in schools, orphanages and on environmental issues.

Aside from providing invaluable help with hands on work, volunteers are a vital source of funding. Through volunteer contributions, funds are made available to the different projects with which GVI works. This especially applies to the children’s homes, most of whom have very limited resources and no regular income.