Does anyone know about Starfish Ventures volunteer programmes in Thailand?

**kdma** · 9th August 2011 16:49

I am currently working for a voluntary organisation in the UK and we received an e-mail from an organisation called 'Starfish Ventures' which seems to offer volunteer programmes in Thailand for people in the UK.(Their website is www.starfishvolunteers.com ) They seem to (at the moment) just want a link to our organisation website. However, we can't help being cautious and just want to make sure our organisation is not exploited for any ill purpose. At the same time, we would love to support them if what they do is to truly support Thai local community- my own community!
So if anyone has any information about this organisation, could you please share with me? Thanks a lot, guys.

**natalie8** · 9th August 2011 17:04

Hey, kdma. Nice to see you posting again. Sorry, I can't answer your question, but hopefully someone on here will be able to.

**LDMA** · 10th August 2011 02:50

Just so we all know this is my wife posting and is genuinely looking for feedback on this. Any info much appreciated.

**Classic-Chassis** · 10th August 2011 12:29

I don't know about that group in particular but i think your apprehension is justified. We had a "volunteer" from the U.S. She'd paid a fee, ( i think about 3000 Dollars In Total), and was lined up with our school. It was all a complete sham, the school gave her a wage, but it was only half the wage the regular teachers are on.
We are an highly rated EP, and one of if not the biggest Gov school in Thailand, certainly in BKK. She walked away from her money after one term, straight into a high paying position at an inter school round the corner.
IMHO why should you need to pay any fee to volunteer?

3 months for the price of 2, just £1275

You have to pay them to teach here in primary schools and secondary schools for 3 months in Surin?

That doesn't even include your flight!! Only airport pickup and digs in Surin!! Everyone's a winner, except the volunteer. School gets a free teacher for 3 months, agency makes about 1000, and the volunteer gets what exactly?

Even better you can pay them 700 pound to muck out elephants for four weeks.
700 pound for 4 weeks of being a farm laborer.

**kdma** · 10th August 2011 17:29

Thanks Classic-Chassis for your comment. It is very helpful.

**jonny danger** · 10th August 2011 21:04

Hi K

**wobble** · 10th August 2011 22:59

They're asking people to pay 1,100 GBP in order to work as an English teacher for 3 months, and that's a 'special promotion'?

Wow.

Mmm...is any further comment really needed?

**jonny danger** · 10th August 2011 23:04

None except count me out.

**the** · 11th August 2011 04:52

Originally Posted by Classic-Chassis

I don't know about that group in particular but i think your apprehension is justified. We had a "volunteer" from the U.S. She'd paid a fee, ( i think about 3000 Dollars In Total), and was lined up with our school. It was all a complete sham, the school gave her a wage, but it was only half the wage the regular teachers are on.
We are an highly rated EP, and one of if not the biggest Gov school in Thailand, certainly in BKK. She walked away from her money after one term, straight into a high paying position at an inter school round the corner.
IMHO why should you need to pay any fee to volunteer?

A scam. Pure and simple.

And if someone is a volunteer, there better be a stipend or free housing and help with a plan ticket.

I've never understood volunteers in teaching.

**wobble** · 11th August 2011 10:37

Originally Posted by the

I've never understood volunteers in teaching.

And what about mucking out elephant shit?

No wonder so many of the locals think we're nutters.

I can just imagine half a dozen of them standing around watching, thinking ''That idiot flew half way across the world to pay to do that."