Our teams meet at either the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to commence this two week trip. The majority of the trip is spent in a northern Thai area called Chiang Saen. Chiang Saen is located along the Mekong River in an area called “The Golden Triangle”, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos all meet. While this area is known for its beauty, its rich cultural history and its welcoming atmosphere, it also suffers from a deep secret. Intense levels of poverty and statelessness have opened the door for it to become a gateway for child trafficking and exploitation, and Hero Holiday Thailand is about helping local heroes make tangible steps to help stop the evils of child trafficking and exploitation.
In this smaller town, you will also be able to experience the rich side of Thailand: incredible food, preserved Buddhist temples and amazing cultural highlights, shopping at the night markets, and most of all, building lasting friendships with unsung heroes who are working to make change and bring hope. The last two days of the trip are spent relaxing and debriefing in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. And…you never know when a random elephant might cross your path!
Have you ever dreamed of making a difference in the life of a child who just needs to be loved? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of a community that is focused on making their world safe and secure for the kids who they are now responsible for? Would you love to put some sweat into building something tangible that can change a community? Our Thailand trip is focused on children at risk and making their world a safer and more beautiful place! We believe that in some small way, we can truly make a difference by investing our time and love into some amazing children who need people like you to come and sincerely care for them!
Some of the projects you will be participating in on your Hero Holiday to Thailand:
Building Projects: While in Thailand, we work with an organization called Buddies Along the Roadside (link to website www.yourbuddies.org). Their organization and home location is full of beautiful children who have been rescued out of very exploitative situations: some have been orphaned by AIDS and malaria, some have been abandoned, and some have been rescued from slavery and sexual exploitation. Absolute has helped to build an office on site and a water system for their living facilities. This year we will be focusing on continuing to help with different construction projects, help their community outreach programs, as well as run repair and maintenance projects.
Hang out with the BUDDIES...aka kids of the project! There are about 110 children currently in the project, ranging in age from 3-15. Together, we have visited elephant sanctuaries, swam in natural pools in the mountains, hunted for Easter eggs, played games and sang songs, and experienced much laughter and tears.
English and Sports Camps: English is the most widely used language in the world, and knowledge of English helps to equip these children with a wider range of education and job opportunities. Please come prepared with a willingness to have fun with English, and with possible class ideas! Each day is always a new adventure!
Typical Thailand Trip Itinerary
While in Thailand we stay at a quaint resort. Equipped with its own pool and located in Chiang Saen this resort is a great place to stay. Our rooms in Thailand are double occupancy and are clean, air conditioned and have hot water. While staying at this location, you will taste some of the best food...ever!
All of our Hero Holiday staff are experienced professionals in each area they facilitate. We have Professional Drivers, Builders, Youth Workers, Cultural Specialists, Logistic Coordinators, Cooks (when needed), Interpreters and experienced Ground Staff. All of our staff are very passionate about what we do and we believe that we all have a responsibility to help those in need and to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Hero Holiday maintains excellent community relations and works diligently alongside of community leaders, other NGO's working in the ara, and often government officials in each country that we work in. Safety is always our number one priority. All of our key staff are first aid certified and we always have access available to quality medical attention (if needed) in all countries that we work in.
Hero Holiday has been traveling with our groups to Thailand since March 2007. While working alongside our Thai friends we have developed friendships and relationships with organizations that are on the ground making a dramatic difference in the lives of children at risk. Whether arranging transportation, building projects, meals, best locations for the night markets, or inexpensive Thai massages our Thai staff are exceptionally experienced. Plus they can rock a karaoke night!
Before a Hero Holiday begins, all parents are given contact numbers and emails for Hero Holiday Trip Host(s). We are available at any time for parental concerns or emergencies. Our staff also works hard to keep families and friends back home updated on a daily basis with stories and pictures on our website and facebook of what is happening with each particular group.
Trip Dates and Applications
| Date of Trip | Description | Deadline | Price** |
| Aug 1 - 15, 2010: | Thailand | April 15th, 2010 | $4,285 |
Encouraged Reading:
Foreign to Familiar by Sarah A. Lanier and Not for Sale by David Batstone.
Payment and Donation Log - Must accompany all payments and donations.
**Prices listed may be subject to extra fees. See application for full pricing and package details.
In this smaller town, you will also be able to experience the rich side of Thailand: incredible food, preserved Buddhist temples and amazing cultural highlights, shopping at the night markets, and most of all, building lasting friendships with unsung heroes who are working to make change and bring hope. The last two days of the trip are spent relaxing and debriefing in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. And…you never know when a random elephant might cross your path!
