Volunteer projects in Asia

Volunteer projects in Asia are a great solution to the dilemma of how to go about being a responsible tourist when you're travelling through this beautiful and fascinating region. Volunteer projects in Asia allow you to give up a small part of your time on your gap year or career breaks in order to help those less fortunate than yourself.

Volunteer projects in Asia are also a hugely beneficial experience for the people volunteering. All of GYFGU's volunteer projects in Asia involve working closely with local people on a daily basis - and there's no better way of immersing yourself in local culture and discovering what everyday life is really like away from the usual well-trodden tourist trail. Many of the local people you encounter on volunteer projects in Asia are truly inspirational with the positive outlook they display in the face of often overwhelming adversity - something that really helps put things in perspective for many volunteers.

What's more, particularly if you're travelling solo, volunteer projects in Asia are also an excellent opportunity to meet other travellers. The shared experience of working on volunteer projects in Asia tends to really bring people together and, because you've chosen to volunteer on the same project, the chances are you'll have similar interests and values to your fellow volunteers.

If you fancy the idea of volunteering Gap Year for Grown Ups has an extremely diverse range of volunteer projects in Asia to choose from throughout the region. There's loads of information on all of our volunteer projects in Asia on this website or you can always phone one of our expert travel advisers for ideas and advice. Although they're extremely rewarding (and often a great deal of fun too) volunteer projects in Asia can also be quite challenging at times - so it's important you take the time to carefully choose a project that most suits your interests and abilities.

There are far too many volunteer projects in Asia to adequately summarise in detail on just one page. However, in order to provide a brief idea of the different types of volunteer projects in Asia you could opt for, they generally fall within two main categories…

Volunteer projects in Asia - People

Many of GYFGU's volunteer projects in Asia are dedicated to providing help and support to disadvantaged people or communities. One of the most striking examples of this type of volunteer project in Asia is our programme in Sri Lanka - where volunteers help to rebuild homes destroyed by the terrible Boxing Day 2004 tsunami.

Volunteer projects in Asia - Wildlife and the environment

If you're passionate about wildlife or caring for the environment GYFGU's has some fantastic volunteer programmes in Asia. For example one of our most exciting volunteer projects in Asia is our orang-utan conservation programme in the rainforests of Borneo - where volunteers work closely with local tribes-people in order to try and ensure the continuing survival of the orang-utans - the only great ape to be found outside of Africa.

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Thailand Adventure Take a behind-the-scenes look at Thailand with one of three tours. Learn about the country’s language and culture, work with elephants and train as a mahout or help out in an orphanage or school. Volunteer India Himachal Project Give some valuable assistance in a day care centre or school in Himachal Pradesh. Teach English or other subjects, lead creative activities or help decorate the buildings – whatever you do will be greatly appreciated. Volunteer India Rajasthan Project Put something back into a country that desperately needs volunteers. Whether you help out in an orphanage, a school or a centre for disabled children, your time will be gratefully received. Bali Surf Retreat The ultimate in rest and rejuvenation! Enjoy surfing lessons, yoga sessions and truly heavenly massages in beautiful surroundings. Three options mean your trip can be as active or as restful as you like. Borneo Camp Life Experience Located in the Borneo jungle, volunteers live and work alongside native communities, playing an integral part in aiding the development of the area whilst retaining traditional ways of life. Time will be spent working in village schools both teaching, and helping with refurbishments. Borneo Pygmy Elephant and Orangutan Conservation Tour Help ensure pygmy elephants are given the protection they need, by collecting data and educating the public about their importance. Observe orangutans and other native Borneo species, go on a river safari and learn to survive in a jungle. Cambodia Caring for Children Be a role model to children who were born into poverty. Draw up lesson plans, teach English, crafts and health education and help maintain the classrooms. Your presence and encouragement will help them towards brighter futures. Cambodia Teaching Volunteer Pass on the basic skills many people take for granted, and make a difference to young lives. Give lessons to children and help local staff develop their leadership skills so they can benefit future generations. China Experience Programme See the real China, not tourist China. Live and work with villagers, trek to China’s holiest peak, stay in a temple, meet the monks and learn about the language, cooking techniques and customs. China Volunteer Teach English Teach some of the keenest learners in the world! Take a short training course in teaching English, then give lessons at a school on a tropical island. Very rewarding, and a great way to immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Essence of Indochina Whet your appetite for Indochina with glimpses of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Take in temples, monuments, markets and bays with trips Angor Wat, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and more. Everest Expedition Feel a huge sense of achievement after trekking to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain - the effort is most definitely worth it! Top it off with a jungle safari and a volunteer placement in a Nepalese village. Food Lovers Japan Experience the best of Japan’s culture and cuisine with trips to sake breweries, markets, traditional inns and even a castle. Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, taking cooking lessons and, of course, tasting the food! Food Lovers Vietnam Get to know Vietnam in a truly delicious way – through its food! Visit markets, take cookery classes, watch demonstrations and best of all, sample the results. Look forward to spring rolls, exotic fruits and much more.    Giant Panda Conservation in China Do your bit to make sure the world doesn’t lose the giant panda forever. Help promote the reserve, introduce pandas to visitors, help with their daily care and just observe these endearing creatures. India Animal Rescue Help take care of India’s unloved animals – donkeys, cats, dogs, monkeys, camels and elephants. Take part in rescue missions, man the hotline, promote the campaign and assist with vaccinations. A chance for animal lovers to make a difference. India Community Development Dedicate your skills and energy to villages with little money but lots of spirit. Help repair and decorate schools, day centres and homes, organise children to help clear up their village and teach them about hygiene. India Sports and Community Himachal General Sports – Cricket – Football – Volleyball – Netball Become part of the Sports and Community Project based in India and help to encourage the physical health of disadvantaged children.  India Sports and Community Rajasthan General Sports – Cricket – Football – Volleyball – Netball Watch underprivileged children respond to your enthusiasm for sports. Set up training sessions and competitions in football, cricket, athletics and more. Equally as valuable will be your work in the community, on education and childcare projects. Indian Cooking Programme Study (and sample!) some of the best dishes in the world. Take cooking lessons, learn about curries, breads and rice, and regional varieties, eat with an Indian family and go on a variety of cultural excursions. Japan Ski and Snowboard CSI Course Spend four whole weeks in the powder heaven of Niseko and train for the snowboard or skiing qualification in snow-sports Instruction. With your SBINZ/NZSIA CSI certificate, you will be able to train to level 1 and 2 beginners and find work in resorts in New Zealand and all over the world including the USA.  Japan Ski and Snowboard Instructor Course Spend eleven weeks in the powder heaven that is Niseko and become a skiing or snowboard instructor. With your NZSIA/SBINZ Level 1 Qualification, you can find work in ski resorts all over the Globe, enjoying the fun outdoor lifestyle that this career path includes.  Kanjar Community Development Give an isolated community their dignity back. Get involved in teaching English, improving school facilities, setting up health camps, running teaching workshops, planting trees and forging links with local schools. Malaysia Orang-utan Experience A unique opportunity to interact with the only great ape outside of Africa, the orang-utan. Take part in volunteer work in Borneo to help protect this highly endangered species from extinction. Malaysia Turtle and Dive Volunteer Tropical Island Life Turtle Conservation Programme. Turtle conservation at its best, a remarkable opportunity to work with these amazing creatures on the Perhentian Islands of Malaysia. Malaysia Volunteer Zoo Assistant Work as a zookeeper and experience hands-on interaction with animals. This is a rewarding programme where you will be taking care of the animals and their daily maintenance in a choice of zoo either just outside of Kuala Lumpur or Taiping. Martial Arts Academy China Real Sport Experiences’ Shaolin Kung Fu Academy offers one of the best environments around the globe to be trained in this historic martial art. Situated at the foot of the Mountains of the Fujian Province, South East China, you will study directly from some of the best Masters to be found in China. Nepal Community Volunteers Make a difference to the lives of underprivileged communities in Nepal. This volunteer project gives you the chance to work as a volunteer in Nepal in schools, monasteries and orphanages giving children opportunities they may not have had before, or, work alongside local builders on vital construction projects. Nepal Construction Volunteer This is your opportunity to travel to one of the world’s most beautiful countries while also helping to construct a much-needed Child Day Care Centre for a local community. This is an extremely rewarding experience that will enable you to help people who are far less fortunate than yourselves and make a real difference to their lives. Paid Teach and Travel China An amazing opportunity for paid work in one of the greatest travel destinations in the world - China. Participants teach students at some of the best schools in a cultural exchange programme. At the same time you will experience ancient traditions combined with vibrant modern city life. Sports Coaching Sri Lanka Sri Lanka may be a leading cricketing nation, but sports education is non-existent in many parts of the country. What little does exist is confined to the larger cities and more prestigious schools. This project brings volunteers to local community schools out in the more rural areas of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka English Teaching Volunteer Children in rural Sri Lanka are eager for education. Volunteers will be teaching English to children aged between 1 and 13 years old. There are also opportunities to organise extra-curricular activities in the afternoon such as music, drama, arts and sports. Sri Lanka Orphanage Project Volunteers are greatly needed on this satisfying orphanage volunteer project in Sri Lanka. You can make a substantial contribution to the lives of disadvantaged children, generating more opportunities for them by helping to improve their maths and English skills.