Amelia’s volunteer trip to Thailand

Hello, I’m Amelia. I am 21 years old and currently undertaking my 2^nd year of studying Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology at the University of Salford. I have set up my own fundraising campaign to raise money for my travels to Thailand for 4 weeks, commencing at the end of June.

Previously, I was raising money to volunteer in the beautiful Sri Lanka for 4 weeks. Unfortunately due to the circumstances that occurred during Easter, I am sadly no longer able to travel to Sri Lanka. Therefore, I have my changed programme and I am now travelling and volunteering in Thailand.

The trip involves volunteering for a week in a wildlife rescue centre, then I will be spending 4 weeks travelling the central, northern, eastern and southern parts of Thailand where I will be exploring the bustling cities of Chiang Mai and Bangkok, seeing Buddhist temples, mountains, beaches and visiting elephant sanctuaries. I will also be spending a week engaging in community education projects in Pathum Thani. During my time here I will be teaching English to students in the local school and will really be able to immerse myself in the culture and make a difference.

My trip begins in Petchaburi, where I will be volunteering for 8-9 hours per day for 1 week at a wildlife rescue centre; Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. Most wildlife in Thailand face extinction due to human pressures such as over exploitation, habitat loss, habitat degradation. Many animals located at the centre have been rescued from poor living conditions, saved from illegal wildlife trade, direct from the wild and the pet and tourism industry. The rescue centre has given shelter to 1000s of wild animals such as young gibbons, macaques, lorises, bears, wild cats, reptiles, otters, birds and many more.

Volunteering includes preparing and distributing food, preparing and distributing behavioural enrichment, assisting with environmental enrichment, cleaning enclosures, scrubbing animal pools, general maintenance including maintaining forest areas. Also, includes Doggie Duty which involves caring, washing, feeding and walking some of the dogs that live at the volunteer house.

As a non-profit organisation they dependent on the compassion and generosity of their donors and volunteers. Volunteering for the rescue centre helps make working to provide direct protection, rehabilitation and veterinary care for captive wildlife and many other wild animals possible.

My university degree focuses on the threats animals face from around the world and ways in which we can help to conserve them. The opportunity to help protect and rehabilitate the species in the wildlife rescue centre will be an amazing experience and volunteering will not only make an impact on the animals quality of life but will aid my career after university.

As a university student, the cost for the project is an obstacle. As well as the volunteering fee that are many eternal costs such as flights, vaccinations and permits etc. I will be saving as much as possible from now until I leave in June. However, I would be extremely grateful for any donations from friends and family. Any donation no matter how big or small would help me on my way to volunteer in Thailand and would be greatly appreciated.

I have also added a video so you can see for yourself at what i'll be getting up to

Thank you so much for your time

Amelia