MSM and HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education Program

Placement: If working with the issue of MSM and HIV of interests you, Cultural Canvas Thailand places volunteers within a local organization called Mplus. Mplus is a project financed by USAID through FHI Thailand. Mplus work primarily with sexual health for men who have sex with men, MSM. The term MSM covers the three focus groups of Mplus: The general MSM, which includes gay and bisexual men (using a western terminology); male sex workers who often self-identify as heterosexual; and transgender, male-to-female. These three groups are addressed on their own through a variety of focused interventions and outreach.

Mplus has a wide span of activities such as workshops, English education for male sex workers, and handing out condoms and information at places where men meet to have sex. They have also had activities with local schools informing about safe sex, stigma against sexual minorities and activities that promote familiarity with condoms, such as making condom pins and condom flowers. Mplus also offers face-to-face counselling, phone counselling and plans to set up online counselling. Mplus currently consists of about 1000 members, spanning all three focus groups.

Minimum Duration: 3 weeks

The Program Fee Includes: Registration fees, donation to the host organization, pre-trip orientation materials, travel health insurance, in-country orientation and city tour, in-country transportation to and from placement, accommodation, food, Thai language training, in-country staff support, and 24-hour emergency assistance.

Donation to Host Organization:
If you are accepted as a volunteer by one of our partner organizations, $100 from the program fee is contributed toward your project.

Pre-trip Orientation:
Upon receiving your application and deposit, we will send to you the CCT Orientation Kit, containing all the necessary paperwork to entirely prepare you for your trip.
The orientation kit includes information on the issue pertaining to your project. It also includes a recommended reading list and information on Thailand , culture and customs.

In-country Orientation:
Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, whether by bus, plane or train, a Cultural Canvas Thailand staff member will be waiting to transport you to the Cultural Canvas Thailand headquarters where you will have an orientation. This will prepare you further for your chosen project and give you a chance to meet our staff and other volunteers. Wad, our In-Country Director, will make sure that you have a grasp on Chiang Mai by taking you around the city and helping you to get acquainted with Thai culture and the Home-Base.

Thai Language Training:
Cultural Canvas Thailand provides three hours of Thai language training in the first week of your volunteer placement. If you would like to study further, you can arrange to do so with our Thai teacher. Additional hours are not covered the by CCT program fee.

Accommodation:
You will be housed in the Cultural Canvas Thailand home-base conveniently located near the old city center. Here all of your basic needs are taken care of, including lodgings, meals, telephone and transportation. The home-base is located in a safe, conveniently situated neighborhood. It is a clean Thai-style accommodation with shared occupancy rooms.

Food:
Our in-house cook will provide two delicious, home-cooked Thai meals per day six days per week. A light breakfast is always available with cereal, fruit, toast, coffee, and tea. On Sundays, volunteers can cook for themselves at the Home-Base or grab a bite to eat in one of the many near-by markets or restaurants. Please let us know any specific dietary restrictions in advance so that all of your needs can be taken care of.

Transportation:
Upon arrival and departure, Cultural Canvas Thailand will provide transportation between the CCT volunteer house and the airport, train station, bus station, etc. Cultural Canvas also provides daily transportation to and from your placement.

Support and Safety:
The Cultural Canvas Thailand home-base is in a secure location with staff available 24-hours a day. Here you can receive international calls and internet access is within walking distance.

In case of emergency, friends and family can call the home-base or use our convenient U.S. 24-hour hotline.

In case of injury you will be admitted to one of Chiang Mai’s high-quality, private hospitals.

We provide comprehensive medical insurance and emergency evacuation assistance.

2013 Start Dates

Program Fee*

3 weeks:  $ 1,499 USD
3 Months: $3,095.00
6 Months: $4,600.00

* Please Note:
Program Fees are listed for the minimum duration of this program; program extensions are available for $275.00/week

Application Process:
Are you up to the task? Then complete the online application form. Use our secure online payment process to make your $300 deposit.

The application and deposit should be received 90 days prior to the commencement of your chosen project. For late applications, please inquire regarding availability, as exceptions can be made.
Full payment must be received 30 days prior to the commencement of your project in order to allow us enough time to provide you with the proper insurance and project placement.