Volunteer Story

Thank you, Kate for you thoughts and enthusiasm on the last 4 weeks of the 10 week Teaching and Community Development Expedition in Ao Luk, Thailand. Following is Kate's story:

"One of my favorite things about GVI is that I’ve had the opportunity to meet people here whom I never would have had the chance to in any other situation. Everyone has come here from different backgrounds and for different reasons and yet all of us have come with an open mind and a willingness to work hard. Everything we’ve experienced on base, in the classroom and traveling together has brought us closer and has made GVI more special than I could have hoped for.

Besides my fellow EMs, the staff and interns have also been supportive. They didn’t waste any time inducting us into daily life on the GVI base in Thailand, getting us into everything from daily chores to weekly parties. I felt at home here in no time. Along with acting as our support system and our family on base, the staff is always challenging us to become better teachers and more active members of the community which is always welcome.

The last group of people and perhaps the one I’ll be the saddest to leave at the end of the expedition are my students and the people of Ao Luk. My students and their eagerness to learn make hours of lesson planning more worth it. The people in town have been especially gracious. They’re always patient and helpful as we practice our Thai with them. They’re always bringing us traditional foods to try and give us lifts home when they pass us on the street. They don’t think twice about inviting us into their homes and lives. Even Noi, our town’s taxi driver, invited us to come to his daughter’s wedding dinner. These are the people who have truly made my time here in Thailand worthwhile and unforgettable."


This was written by Kate Fraser, an American volunteer on the October-December 2008 Teaching and Community Development Expedition in Thailand. Kate is just completing her 100- hour TEFL qualification and will continue on to teach her own class in the Ao Luk community.

Volunteer Story