Hands-off elephant sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Infos

• 

  Description

  ⚠️ Current available dates ⚠️
  -1 HEAD VOLUNTEER 01/07-31/08
  - 1 male volunteer 01/07-31/07
  - 2 volunteers 15/07-14/08
  - 2 Dutch speaking volunteers 01/08-31/08
  - 8 volunteers 15/08-14/09
  
  
  
  ---
  
  ⚠️ URGENTLY LOOKING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING VOLUNTEERS ⚠️
  
  - Community managers
  - Marketing
  - ⁠Content creators
  - ⁠Photographers/videographers
  - ⁠Video editor (short and long)
  - ⁠Graphic design (basic use like canva or more if you have the skills!)
  - ⁠Just good with organizing and basic knowledge with social media apps (tiktok, instagram, facebook, youtube)
  
  LONG TERM (more than 1 month would be ideal)
  READ SPECIFIC SKILLS BELOW AND WITHIN YOUR APPLICATION SEND SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE.
  
  *Essential Skills for the Marketing Manager Role & Social Media*
  
  - Digital Marketing Expertise-
  Strong knowledge of SEO, email marketing, and content creation. Understanding of analytics and trends to increase reach and engagement organically.
  - Content Creation & Storytelling - Excellent writing skills to convey the foundation’s mission with empathy and authenticity.
  - Basic photography and video editing skills (mobile-friendly is fine) to document and share sanctuary life respectfully.
  - Campaign Planning & Coordination - Ability to design, plan, and execute awareness or fundraising campaigns. Comfortable coordinating with team members, local staff, and potential partners.
  - Graphic Design (Basic) - Proficiency with Canva or similar tools for creating brochures, posters, and social media graphics.
  - Website & Online Presence Oversight - Familiar with updating and maintaining websites (WordPress or similar platforms). Ensures consistent branding and messaging across all online channels.
  - Fundraising & Donor Engagement (Bonus) - Experience with crowdfunding, donor communications, or sponsorship programs is a plus.
  - Strategic Thinking & Initiative - Capable of identifying new opportunities for outreach or promotion. Self-driven with a passion for ethical tourism and conservation.
  - Cultural Sensitivity & Ethical Awareness - Deep respect for local communities, animals, and ethical guidelines. Strong alignment with the sanctuary’s hands-off, no-riding, no-performing elephant policy.
  
  
  
  ⚠️ IMPORTANT INFO PLEASE READ ⚠️
  - We need passionate, hard working and flexible volunteers who are able to stay 1 MONTH !
  Unfortunately we are not able to accept volunteers who would like to stay less than 1 month because it takes a lot of time to train you and we need you to help train the next volunteers. NO EXCEPTIONS !
  - Arrivals are on the 1st and 15th of each month, this is very important because all the volunteers start training together.
  - Volunteers over 21 years old only (this also means no families with children).
  - Please check our availabilities on our calendar before contacting us. *RED MEANS NO AVAILABILITY !*
  - We are a hands-off sanctuary, this means no touching, bathing or feeding the elephants. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule. It does not matter if you are a veterinarian, wildlife biologist or elephant whisperer, NO ONE TOUCHES THE ELEPHANTS. So please do not expect to take care of them.
  - We understand that not everyone speaks fluent english, however we do expect a certain level of comprehension and communication. You need to be able to understand the tasks given to you and the questions visitors might ask you. You also need to be able to communicate with us, the other volunteers and visitors. If you are not able to hold up an entire conversation in english, we might not be the place for you since it is an essential tool for us but you as well.
  
  We are a Non-Governmental Organization, that takes care of old elephants, we currently have 4 senior females. We are a completely hands-off elephant sanctuary. Our purpose is to rescue and rehabilitate elephants from a life of stress and exploitation. Every day our elephants roam freely in nature, without a schedule. We aim to be an example of the ethical change in the elephant tourism industry and we need you to help us spread the word ! We are a completely hands off sanctuary which means no touching, feeding or bathing the elephant for the visitors or volunteers. Only the mahouts (the elephant caretakers) are allowed to do this. Our goal is to educate people, spread the word and not let people unknowingly participate in animal abuse.
  
  EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO UNDERSTAND WILDLIFE.
  
  Elephants are tourist magnets, they’re on everybody’s bucket list when they visit Thailand.
  Our Dutch founders created this NGO because during their experience (since 2009 and 2013) in the elephant tourism industry, they have seen the abuse elephants endure in places that call themselves ‘sanctuaries’.
  
  Elephants suffer a lifetime for tourist entertainment. We decided ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, it is time to make a REAL CHANGE.
  The idea was born to set up a sanctuary that is a truly safe haven for elephants, where these social mammals can interact and behave naturally.
  
  IT IS TIME TO BOOST ETHICAL TOURISM !
  
  This is your chance to be a part of the change.
  Combine your love of animals with volunteer work.
  Let's team up and speak for those who have no voice.
  Discover & meet people from all over the world.
  Not only will you learn about elephants, but also how to work as a team and about Thai culture.
  
  What could be more rewarding than standing up for the rights of these gentle giants & helping to spread our message of animal friendly tourism.
  
  This will be a great adventure you will never forget!

• 

  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Enseignement

  S’occuper des animaux

  Accueil / tourisme
• 

  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  This is a rare opportunity to be a part of an organisation that stands up for the rights of captive elephants. You will learn to know our elephants Malee, Kammoon, Kham Phaeng and Khun but also a lot of information about elephants in general, the elephant tourism industry and ethical tourism.

• 

  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

• 

  Aide

  As a non profit organization, we rely on YOU to help.
  
  If you are looking for a free holiday we are NOT the place for you !!! We are looking for serious, dedicated and hard working volunteers. The work we do is very important, so we need passionate and motivated people to help us spread awareness. You will work 5 days a week, 5 hours per day depending on how busy the schedule is. The work hours are spread throughout the day, so do not expect to work 5h non stop and have the rest of the day off. Due to the nature of the tasks this is not possible.
  
  
  
  But it is for you if you:
  ✅ don't mind getting your hands dirty and working hard for 5h or more per day, 5 days a week
  ✅ want to be a part of a meaningful project that will definitely leave an impact on you
  ✅ wish to see elephants but with an ethical and respectful approach
  ✅ are eager learn more about elephants, ethical tourism and Thai culture
  ✅ would like to be a part of a big team (18-24 volunteers) and meet people from all around the world
  
  This is not the place for you if you:
  ❌ plan to get a cheap room in exchange for few hours of lazy work
  ❌ don't like living in a remote area and expect a city lifestyle
  ❌ are afraid of (wild) animals, small or big
  ❌ don't like repetitive meals based on noodles or rice
  ❌ can’t deal with the heat for a full month
  
  
  ⚠️ Taking care of the elephants is NOT part of your tasks, that is the mahout’s (the elephant caretaker) job. So do not expect to feed, bathe or touch the elephants. You will NEVER under any circumstance be able to approach the elephants (at least 20 meters at all times). HANDS OFF = NO TOUCHING, BATHING, FEEDING ⚠️
  
  We need your help with the following tasks :
  
  - Guiding or assisting with tours: This is the main job at the sanctuary.
  Tours run daily as either half day tours (4 hours, morning/afternoon) or full day tours (7 hours inc. 1 hour lunch break). At peak times of the year, there can be as many as 6 tours running in a day. Typically tours consist of small groups (individual travellers, couples and families) but occasionally we also receive larger groups and international schools so confidence in public speaking and/or working with children is desired.
  Head Guide: Leading tours in your native language and/or any other language you speak with competency.
  Support Guide: Supporting the head guide with tours, helping them run to schedule and providing assistance to guests. Volunteers will train as support guides first before becoming a head guide.
  No experience needed but fluency in English is essential as we use it every day to communicate amongst the team and this is the default language for our tours. As much as possible, we offer tours in the guests’ native language so ideally guides will also be able to speak one of the following languages: Dutch, French, German or Spanish.
  
  
  - In case of a large group the schedule can be a little more intense and we need a lot of help for the preparations
  
  - Taking photos and videos
  
  - Updating our social media channels
  
  - Helping develop our booklets and activities for children
  
  - Training new volunteers
  
  - Helping with our interactive museum about elephants and elephant poo paper factory
  
  - Helping our mahouts with elephant food, and the farmers land
  
  - General upkeep of the office
  
  - Any other tasks (if you have any special skills let us know !)
  
  We are looking for individuals who are both independent & a team player.
  
  
  
  SEPARATE POSITION : We need head volunteers who are able to stay 1,5 or 2 MONTHS. The tasks, conditions and availability are different for this position. To know more about this, read below.
  
  As the head volunteer you are the bridge between the volunteers and the founders.
  You will be the go to person for the volunteers if they have questions about basic/daily things. The founders will be available for questions or to discuss issues, they are always the ones making the final decision in tasks or activities.
  
  You will work more than 5 hours per day. Especially on tour days; you need to be available before the tour starts and do the final check at the end of the day. Since the work load will be a little more intense, you will have your own cabin :)
  
  Tasks:
  - Making + sending out the daily schedule
  - Training days with the new volunteers
  - Having the overview what everyone is doing an how tasks are going
  - Filling in as a tourguide whenever is needed
  - Being the first person for basis questions from volunteers
  - Signaling issues within the team
  
  Skills:
  - Excellent planning and organising skills
  - Flexibility
  - Leading skills
  - Sense of responsibility
  
  If you are interested in the position of head volunteer, please write "head volunteer" in the subject of your message, as well as your available dates. Arrival dates stay the same, on the 1st and 15th of each month, minimum stay of 1,5 or 2 months is required, no exceptions. The calendar on our profile does not apply for this position, please contact us to know our availability.

• 

  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Hollandais: Courant

• 

  Hébergement

  We offer a shared (2 people per room) log cabin with a fan (NO AC) and a mini fridge. You will share the room with another volunteer of the same gender (unless you are a couple or friends).
  
  Pets are not allowed!
  
  The hotel is 48 hectares large and is covered with large trees, located beside the river Kwai Noi.
  
  During your free time you can enjoy the hotel's swimming pool from 9am to 6pm.
  
  There is Wifi at the lobby and the swimming pool, so you will need to buy a thai sim card with unlimited data. We communicate a lot throughout the day via whatsapp. It is possible due to weather circumstances that the Wifi cuts off for a few days.
  
  The area is quite isolated and there's not much to do at a walking distance, to go the nearest city (Kanchanaburi, which offers many western conveniences such as western restaurants, and super markets) you will have to take a taxi, it is a half hour drive. If you want to get around and explore the area you will have to take a taxi or hire a scooter in the city.
  
  A 10-15 minute walk will bring you to a small convencience store with drinks, snacks and products such as shampoo, laundry powder.
  
  You will have three meals a day at a small local restaurant serving typical Thai food. All dishes can be made vegetarian, and most can also be adapted to be vegan—primarily by avoiding eggs—as indicated on the menu. However, please note that all meals are prepared and cooked in the same kitchen and with shared equipment, so cross-contamination is possible.
  
  If you follow a plant-based diet and are flexible and open-minded (rather than strictly particular), you’ll likely find the meals enjoyable and suitable!
  
  Please keep in mind that if you have food allergies or strict dietary restrictions, this environment may not be ideal, as there are no alternative dining options nearby, and cooking on your own is not possible.
  
  There is drinkable water available for free nearby the reception.

• 

  Autres infos...

  Erawan waterfalls and Kanchanaburi city are reachable by taxi. We have a book available with more informations about what to do in the surroundings.

• 

  Informations complémentaires

  • 

    Accès Internet

  • 

    Accès Internet limité

  • 

    Nous avons des animaux

  • 

    Nous sommes fumeurs

  • 

    Familles bienvenues

• 

  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

• 

  Cet hôte fait payer des frais

  en savoir plus

  Pourquoi Workaway permet-il à certains hôtes de facturer des frais ?

  
  

  Workaway offre des opportunités d'échanges culturels non pécuniaires où les hôtes fournissent le logement et la nourriture en échange de l'aide des workawayers. Dans certains cas exceptionnels, des frais ou une demande de don (généralement pas plus de 5 dollars par jour) peuvent être approuvés pour des hôtes tels que les associations caritatives ayant un historique de feedbacks positifs de la part des bénévoles. Toute somme versée doit aller directement à l'organisation caritative et ne peut être utilisée que pour couvrir les frais de nourriture des bénévoles. Cela sera clairement indiqué sur le profil de l'hôte.
  

  Les annonces provenant d'agents, ou autre type d'intermédiaires, ainsi que les projets qui semblent faire des bénéfices grâce au séjour d'un bénévole sont strictement interdits. Tous les frais doivent être discutés et approuvés au préalable par l'équipe Workaway.

  7 usd a day for food

Sécurité du site

Feedback (78)