Travelling is always an adventure, but what if you could make a difference while travelling?
Imagine spending your days helping in the conservation of endangered sea turtles, or lending a hand at an elephant sanctuary, while your nights are filled with stunning views and meaningful experiences. Whether it’s teaching English in Laos or protecting animals in Thailand, these opportunities allow you to immerse yourself in local communities and leave a lasting impact. The best part is that the kids can get involved in some of these experiences too, if you’re planning for a memorable travel experience with the whole fam in December.
So, why not turn your next trip into something even more rewarding at these 6 places where you can volunteer while travelling around Southeast Asia?
1. Lanta Animal Welfare, Thailand
If you love dogs and tropical islands, consider volunteering at a dog and cat shelter in Koh Lanta. Lanta Animal Welfare is a programme that believes in the responsibility of us as travellers to protect animals. The shelter is dedicated to raising awareness about the struggles of homeless, sick, and injured animals in Southern Thailand.
A few positions are open depending on your commitment period and what you’re good at. If you have animal experience, consider being a general volunteer, where you’ll need a willingness to commit to hard work and a passion to help the cats and dogs. Alternatively, you can also use your skills to become a host volunteer, where you’ll be the welcoming face of the centre, guiding visitors, sharing stories, and helping to collect crucial donations that support our rescue efforts. There’s also a media volunteer role which lets you use your creative skills to highlight the stories of the animals to the world.
If you’re looking for a reliable data plan to upload photos and videos onto social media, especially for the media volunteer role, AIRSIMe will come in handy. The company provides mobile data at local rates in over 100 destinations, including Thailand. Plus, SAFRA members get 10% off eSIM credits with the promo code <SAFRA10>. For more information, visit safra.sg/promotions/airsime.
Where to sign up: lantaanimalwelfare.com
2. Perhentian Turtle Project (PTP), Malaysia
There’s no need to travel far in order to make a difference. The Perhentian Turtle Project by Fuze Ecoteer is located in the Perhentian Islands in neighbouring Malaysia. Their aim is to conserve and protect the sea turtles of Perhentian Island: the Penyu Agar (Green Sea Turtle) and Penyu Karah (Hawksbill Turtle). This volunteer programme lets you snorkel during the day to observe and photograph sea turtles for ID purposes, while nights are spent patrolling the beaches to protect nesting turtles. You’ll work closely with the local community, gaining hands-on experience in both conservation and community engagement.
Where to sign up: perhentianturtleproject.org
3. Let Laos Learn, Laos
This non-profit programme is based in Vang Vieng, a quaint town located between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. It’s home to a community in need of support for educational and infrastructure development.
The programme is centred around a Training & Activities Centre, which serves as a safe space for around 150 children and teens who benefit from free after-school English classes and various small activities. Volunteers play an essential role in running these classes and organising activities, making this a hands-on experience where you can really see the impact of your work. As a volunteer, you’ll be putting your conversational English skills to good use by helping children and teenagers learn the language, which is vital for their future job prospects in the growing tourism sector.
In addition to teaching, Let Laos Learn also supports local communities by assisting with school construction. In many parts of Laos, it’s the responsibility of the community to build and maintain school infrastructure, but limited budgets mean that many children still attend inadequate or hard-to-reach schools. Volunteers can get involved in these development projects, working alongside local authorities to ensure that schools are built or improved, creating a better learning environment for the students.
The projects run year-round, so you can choose when and for how long you want to participate. You’ll stay in a comfortable volunteer house, spend weekends exploring the beautiful natural surroundings, and work in a close-knit group of no more than eight volunteers.
Where to sign up: letlaoslearn.org
4. Bali Green Surf School, Indonesia
When you think of Bali, you’ll most likely imagine gorgeous beaches. Bali Green Surf School’s Charity Program allows you to give back in a meaningful way while appreciating the island’s beauty. This initiative helps homeless and orphaned children by providing essentials like food, clothes, and school supplies – all thanks to donations from the community. Besides the orphanage in Denpasar, donations also go to others around the island.
On Sundays, volunteers can engage in activities with the kids, from beach clean-ups to surf lessons. It’s a great way to combine your love for surfing and the outdoors while contributing to the community while on holiday.
Before heading back to Singapore, treat yourself to a night at Ramayana Suites & Resort – Kuta. SAFRA members get to check into a suite room with breakfast from IDR 1,350,000/night (~S$113.87). Your stay also includes a welcome drink on arrival, VIP express check in, daily afternoon tea by the pool bar and more. Use the promo code <SFBALI> when booking online. For more information, visit safra.sg/promotions/ramayana-suites-resort.
Where to sign up: baligreensurfschool.com/english/charity
5. Project Pearls, Philippines
Thinking of heading to the Philippines? Project Pearls has various outreach programmes that will make your time there more valuable, such as the After School Program and Saturday Feeding and Brain Booster Program. The first takes place every Sunday, and you’ll be helping to tutor children in subjects like English and Math. You’ll also assist with food preparation, set-up, serving, and cleaning up.
Alternatively, sign up for the Saturday Feeding and Brain Booster Program, where you’ll help serve meals and guide kids through creative arts and crafts activities. These activities allow the kids to hone their creativity while developing a love for Filipino arts and culture.
As a volunteer, you’ll help with tasks such as food preparation, set-up, serving, and clean-up. You’ll also get to be a “Teacher-for-a-day,” assisting the kids with their art activities. Tip: Bring along snacks, toiletries, colouring books and crayons to further support the feeding programme and make the experience even more enjoyable for the children.
Where to sign up: projectpearls.org/programs
Age suitability: For adults and children over 12 only, who should be accompanied by a legal guardian.
6. Elephant Nature Park, Thailand
If elephants have always enchanted you, here’s a chance to spend more time with them. Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai for a hands-on conservation experience that supports endangered Asian elephants. As part of your stay, you’ll prepare food for the elephants, bask in their joy as they bathe in the river, and witness their natural behaviour. Each day starts with breakfast at 7am and ends with dinner at 6pm, with activities ranging from cutting food from plantations to assisting with maintenance tasks.
Your volunteer activities will include tasks like scooping elephant poo, preparing their food, and learning about the challenges of elephant conservation in Thailand. You’ll also help maintain mud pits, care for dogs, and meet volunteers from around the world. Your experience comes with six nights of lodging, meals, and cultural activities.
This is a unique, life-changing opportunity to contribute to the conservation efforts of these gentle giants while immersing yourself in Northern Thailand’s rich culture.
And while you’re there, take part in other cultural activities like a one-day tour to Chiang Rai or learn to whip up Northern Thailand cuisine at Mama Noi Thai’s Cookery School. If you’re a SAFRA member, make a booking on Klook and get 5% off with a minimum $50 spend with the promo code <KLOOKSAFRA24>. Visit safra.sg/promotions/klook-sg for more information.
Where to sign up: elephantnaturepark.org/enp/visit-volunteer/projects/weekly-volunteer-45/view
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