“We are extremely happy that you are interested to share in our privilege to work with the poorest of the poor.  We’ve always considered working with the poor to be an honour and great privilege.  We have been chosen, we have a gift, we all have a gift to work with, so thank you for sharing your gift with the children.

We ask you to join us, and we ask the permission of the children to accept you, as we do for ourselves.

Prayers

Father Joe”

 

Introduction

Mercy Centre volunteers and interns are an essential ingredient in the success of our programs.  They provide precious time, skills and energy to help the less fortunate in and around the slums of Bangkok.  Sometimes they come for a short time, others for a long time, each making their mark on the children’s lives.

In your time here you will meet the children, mums and grannies, and hear some truly inspiring stories from heartbreaking beginnings.  You may even discover some of your own to tell by the time you leave us. 

You are likely to find many charitable organisations across Asia (including Thailand) charging high fees to volunteer or intern with them.  The Mercy Centre is not one of them, we only want and need your time, commitment and enthusiasm – no money.  Of course if you want to donate money or sponsor-a-child separate to volunteering or interning, we will happily accept.

If you are interested in becoming a Mercy Centre volunteer or intern, please read through all the following information, requirements, available opportunities and terms & conditions.  If you believe you have the time, commitment and enthusiasm to match, please submit an application.

 

Available Opportunities

 

Terms & Conditions

 

Minimum Commitment

Most of the children have experienced some form of abandonment, and never had a stable living and learning environment before they joined our Mercy family.  Many have moved from one precarious home environment to another – from their parents to grandparents to aunts and uncles and even onto the streets, before coming to Mercy Centre.

Importantly our children need a sense of continuity in their daily lives and among their friends, teachers, house mums, caregivers, staff, volunteers and interns.  If we allow volunteers and interns to stay for short periods of time, inevitably they will create attachments to the children that they cannot sustain.  In the end, these attachments hurt our children rather than help them.

Our minimum commitment is 2 months.

If you don’t believe you can offer the level of commitment required, perhaps you can offer your support in other ways.  Our doors are always open to friends and supporters.

 

Character suitability

Whilst we warmly welcome volunteers and interns, it’s a privilege, not a right, to be invited by the poor and disadvantaged to help break the cycle of poverty, and provide relief for those suffering and in distress.  Mercy Centre takes the care and protection of children and vulnerable people seriously, and we must take appropriate and reasonable steps to assess the character of individuals wanting to join with us, as well as their ongoing participation:

      •  Interview

Applicants may be invited to attend either a face-to-face or phone interview, to discuss their application, skills, experience and our opportunities.  It will be a chance for the applicant to provide any further information, and ask any questions they may have about the Mercy Centre or our programs.

     •  Reference Checks

An applicant’s personal, educational and or employer references may be contacted to assess an individual’s suitability.  No person will be contacted without your consent.

     •  Police Certificate:

The majority of activities do not require the provision of a Police Certificate, as activities are normally supervised by teachers, staff and or house mums. 

If there is a need to work unsupervised with children or vulnerable people, or if you have indicated a criminal conviction on your application, you will be required to provide a Police Certificate for all countries you have resided in for more than 12 months (over the past 10 years).

Having a criminal record will not necessarily preclude you from joining us at Mercy Centre.  Each individual's circumstances will be take into consideration, such as the type of crime committed, the seriousness of the offence, type of sentence given and in particular how they may relate to children or vulnerable people.

 

Induction

All volunteers and interns are required to attend and participate in the Mercy Centre Induction, prior to commencing any activities. It’s a great opportunity to start meeting the Mercy family, understand the broad programs run by Mercy, and your role and responsibilities.

 

Probation

Approved applicants are often first placed in positions to observe and participate in activities, so they are gradually exposed to the program, and confirm for themselves they are happy to continue.  It’s also opportunity for us to observe and review the suitability for continued participation.

 

Feedback

Feedback is sought and welcome from and about our programs, staff, volunteers, and interns.  It’s a great opportunity to understand how we are going, and how we can improve, for better outcomes for the children.  A person’s continued suitability may be reviewed should significant or serious enough concerns be identified.

 

Annual Review

Most volunteers and interns stay less than 12 months.  Some though have stayed with us for many years. Long-term volunteers and interns are required to complete a brief annual review form, based on the 12 month anniversary date from their original approval.  It’s a simple form and process confirming no changes to their criminal record and history.

 

Dress Standard

            Modesty is the theme

            Clean & respectful

            No sleeveless tops

            No sportswear (except for sports activities)

            Shorts and dresses to the knees (generally)

 

Discrimination & Harassment

HDF encourages an open and inclusive environment, free from discrimination and harassment.  Volunteers and interns are required to refrain from any behaviour that may be perceived as discriminatory or harassing, and must act as role models for our children.

 

Visa

Volunteers and interns are solely responsible in all matters relating to obtaining their visa, and should obtain the relevant information regarding visas, applications, extensions, renewals, etc., before arriving in Thailand.

Full-time volunteer & interns may be sponsored for a Non-Immigrant O (Volunteer) Visa and work permit, with all associated administrative and visa costs paid by the volunteer or intern, and paid up-front.  It’s important that all conditions of the visa and work permit are adhered to, otherwise it may be cancelled due to non-compliance.

Visa, work permit and associated administrative costs to be paid up-front, are estimated to be around 20,000 Baht per individual. At the discretion of HDF, and only after successful completion of the activity, the administrative charge (or part thereof) may be refunded in recognition of their commitment and performance.

 

Health Insurance & Liability:

Mercy Centre recommends obtaining an appropriate level of cover for Travel or Health Insurance to cover for any accident, injury and or illness whilst you reside in Thailand. 

Mercy Centre holds no liability or responsibility for any accident, injury, illness harm or damage associated or related to volunteer and intern activities.

 

Transport

The Mercy Centre Main Office building is 30 minutes’ walk from Ekkamai BTS or Phra Khanong BTS, or 5 minutes by motorcycle taxi.

Volunteer and intern activities are at the main Office building, and at other locations in and around Klong Toey (e.g. Preschools). It’s important to factor transport into consideration when you’re thinking about committing to volunteering or interning.

 

Accommodation

No on-site accommodation is provided. A Google search will provide many rental website results for Bangkok. You may also be interested in joining a Bangkok Expats Group who can provide information on local issue such as accommodation.

 

Volunteer & Intern Code of Conduct:

Volunteers and interns are required to behave and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times:

• Acknowledge and respect the religious foundation on which Mercy Centre was founded
• Acknowledge and respect the honor and privilege it is to work for the poor
• Demonstrate respect for the children, adults, staff and volunteers
• Dress in appropriate attire at all times
• Adhere to agreed schedules and provide advanced notice of non-attendance
• Complete any reports and assessments required for the activities undertaken
• Engage, communicate and respond to Mercy Centre requests in a timely manner
• Remain sensitive to all concurrent activities at the Mercy Centre and while interacting with children, staff and volunteers, including:
  • Refrain from taking and publishing photos or video without prior permission of Mercy Centre staff
  • Refrain from communicating with Mercy Centre children on social media, phone, email and any other outside personal contact
  • Maintain the confidentiality of any knowledge and information gained through your time and work at the Mercy Centre
• Refrain from any act that may cause harm to Mercy Centre children, adults, staff, volunteers, property and oneself
• Refrain from any act that may defame or cause damage to the reputation of (HDF) Mercy Centre, staff and sponsors
• Refrain from any other action or activity that may bring Mercy Centre into disrepute
• Report any security, health and safety concerns immediately to staff
• Any product, program or material item produced or developed, as a direct (or indirect) result in their participation as a volunteer or intern with Mercy Centre, remains the property of HDF
• And just as important, have FUN

 

Identification Pass

All volunteers and interns will be provided Mercy Centre ID card, and MUST be worn at all times in the conduct of their volunteer or intern activities. The Mercy Centre ID Card MUST be immediately returned on your resignation or termination.

 

Applying

Please complete the application form fully, initial every page, sign and date, and attach all relevant documents.  Then scan and email, post or drop off in person.  Incomplete applications may not be processed or acknowledged. 

Once an application has been received, it usually takes less than a week to finalise.  The applicant’s suitability, skills, interests and availability are considered along with the available opportunities, for a match. 

In submitting an application, I understand that approval is solely at the discretion of HDF

 

Application Form

[Download Application]

 

Link to other page

Visit mercy centre facebook fan page

A few notes from a recent volunteer.