Openmind Projects - www.openmindprojects.org

I volunteered with Openmind Projects from September to December 2014 taking part in the Volunteer support and Development programme at the training center in Nong Khai.

I helped the development of the organisation from within.

When I first arrived at the organisation I didn't really know what to expect but straight away I was put at ease by the staff and made to feel at home. The support given by each member of staff and the organisation as a whole made a real difference in allowing me to fully enjoy my time at the Openmind Centre.

The organisation itself is doing some fantastic work in supporting local people improving both their English and IT skills and allowing them the opportunity to pass on their newly learnt knowledge to others creating a means for the local people to learn themselves and to increase their skills without heavy reliance on too much outside help.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Openmind and would highly recommend this to anyone looking to get up close and personal with the culture of South-east Asia while contributing positively to the society and having fun as well.

I would recommend as well to attend the free three day cross cultural training provided by Openmind projects as this allows a volunteer time to adjust and get to know the very different culture that exists here in this part of the world. My advice would be to any volunteer to not expect things to run the same way as they do back home but to embrace all differences in a positive manner no matter how they present themselves.

If you are looking to do something enriching and rewarding then this is something I'd highly recommend to you.

I spent about 6 months working in the Openmind Projects Office in Nong Khai.

I found the staff here were very friendly and welcoming, and I soon felt at home and able to contribute to the development of the organisation. Working alongside local staff and trainees was a great way to experience the very different culture of Thailand, and learning to adapt to a new and strange workplace was also valuable.

As a small organisation, you truly feel that you are joining the team - whatever type of program you are on. You can see for yourself how highly valued your contributions are. OMP's local expertise and grassroots set up means that you know that volunteers are being sent to projects where they are needed and can help.

I highly recommend the Volunteer & Cross Cultural Training. I learnt a lot through it, and have seen many volunteers come and go who found it equally beneficial. OMP continues to provide a high level of support to volunteers beyond the training, too.

I have just returned from Thailand and have only the highest regards for this organization. This was the best thing I could’ve done on a so called vacation. I’m not quite sure who got the most out of this, the kids or us. But I know the answer is us. I would love to do this again in the near future. It was very rewarding and know I’m a better person because of the people I met on this journey.