AFECT IS UNUSUAL AND UNIQUE

There are many volunteer organizations to choose from but AFECT is unique. The combination of working in a real NGO, a kaleidoscope of culture, tropical rain forests, delicious food, excursions, our eco lodges and the system in which we apply humanitarian work is outstanding. Afect has welcomed hundreds of satisfied volunteers over the past 12
years, many who return again and again, to experience life with a leader in the volunteer field.

Afect is a cultural NGO and preserves the culture of some of the most beautiful and captivating indigenous tribes in the world. Not only will your visit encompass the beautiful natural scenery and vistas where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet, but you can witness Triba l pageantry in its most colorful and affluent traditions of art and culture. You can witness a calander of events and festivals that form a dazzling backdrop to your valuable humanitarian work. What is more, our highly trained guides and support staff instill a sense of fun and enjoyment and this is one of AFECT’S strong points. Everyone who visits us has a genuinely fun and fulfilling time because friendship and relationships are key to our philosophy. AFECT is there to bridge the gap between a great holiday, voluntary aid and a non profit program helping refugees from Burma, one of the poorest countries in the world. Come and join us.

In the late 80's and early 90's, AFECT became one of the biggest NGOs in Northern Thailand with over 28 full-time staff and more than fifty staff volunteers. The projects AFECT was involved in increased in response to the demands of the villagers. Irrigation projects brought water to fields, water storage facilities provided clean safe water, handicrafts were promoted to give women a source of cash for their families, community forests were secured, women's groups were established, legal assistance was provided in securing citizenship and soon, AFECT became involved in preventing village forced migration and trying to secure community lands. We have since continued our philosophy to serve because AFECT solely exists to help those in need. As a registered charity, we are legally bound that 100% of all donations received are used to promote our charitable objectives. We keep our administration costs to a minimum to provide full on going charitable work. AFECT Philosophy The Association For Akha Education and Culture in Thailand.
We feel volunteering fulfills the need to counter balance our privileged lives in the west and bring meaning to ourselves and help those who are enslaved by unjust poverty. We also feel that in taking part of a humanitarian cause, your visit can reach deeper levels, it can embrace tribal societies who live close to nature, and ultimately nature in all its forms, reconnects us back to our innermost being. Your time at AFECT will be colorful, cultural and a very rewarding one.
Many NGO's do great work and offer exciting volunteer exchanges but often centre on fragments of humanitarian work. Because we are run and managed by the hill tribe we believe in a holistic and progressive approach to charitable work. Working within the cultural structures of hill tribe society creates a lasting and more sustaining autonomy. As a volunteer you will not only touch the lives of the children but the lives of the families and communities with whom you live. In this sharing of culture, laughter warmth and friendship one can discover how much their is to life.