VOLUNTEERING IN THAILAND WITH GVI
Visiting Thailand was always on my bucket list and when I was scrolling through different volunteer opportunities I saw that Global Vision International had a Thailand Coastal Conservation Project. With no hesitations I looked further into it and decided to book it. Luckily, GVI has a program that you can gain points for cash from posting pictures, writing reviews and etc. which helped pay for most of my trip.
The program is held out of Phang-Nga, a small town mostly known for the terrible tsunami that hit in 2004. But with a lot of reconstruction and a beautiful Tsunami Memorial Center in Ban Nam Khem just a short bicycle ride from base, this was the place for me.
Dorm life was something I had experienced in the Seychelles, but the summer heat and humidity was on another level for me. Luckily I was able to upgrade my accommodations (which is usually not an option). After three days in the dorms I moved up into my own little home with the wonderful air conditioner that I will no longer take for granted.
During my time, I was able to work on a few different projects. Bird watching, beach cleans that also incorporated micro plastic analysis, snorkel surveys, making ecobricks and my favorite, sea turtle conservation.
Twice a week we would drive to the sea turtle conservation center at the Phang-Nga Naval Base. This project was founded in 1994 by the Queen Sirikit to protect and increase sea turtle population. Newly hatched sea turtles are collected and brought to the Conservation Center to be cared for, monitored and treated for infection. This allows them to grow strong until they can be released to their natural habitat.
Our task while at the Conservation Center was to take all the turtles out of the pool, scrub the floor and walls clean getting rid of the algae buildup. Give each of the turtles a bath… which I think would be EVERYONES favorite part! We would measure each turtle for size and record the data. Analyze the turtles for any wounds and infections then treat them with proper medication. This may sound short and sweet, but this is a full days work with all hands on deck. By the time you’re done you are covered in sweat, turtle poop and algae. But you are so happy to see all the little sea turtles swimming in a clean pool by days end that your stink doesn’t matter to you or any of your fellow volunteers.
At the time of my volunteering, GVI was only allowed work at the Conservation Center two days a week, which only allowed each pool to be cleaned on average of once a month. This is very unfortunate but hopefully their data on turtle infection will increase the amount of days they will allow GVI volunteers to come and help. Although this was my favourite part of my volunteer experience in Thailand it was also a very emotional time. The Naval Base runs the Conservation Center and holds sea turtles at their facility longer than needed. The main reason that I have concluded is because the more turtles they have the more tourists they’ll get. And they only seem to release turtles when someone of importance comes, which then becomes a publicity thing. I was so very fortunate to be there during a release and was also incredibly fortunate to put a turtle down onto the sand and watch it go into the open ocean. Tears were shed and hearts were filled with joy.
Unfortunately that was not the only time I cried while volunteering at the Conservation Center. One day we decided to clean the pool for the turtles that were really sick and injured. Sea turtles will sometimes bite one another and when there are many turtles in one pool, it tends to happen more frequently. This creates injuries which get infected and the infection then passes on to other turtles which can inevitably cause permanent damage to the point where the turtle can never be released back into the wild or their injuries are so bad they die.
I was sitting on the edge of the pool giving one of the turtles a bath when I noticed that her infection was so bad her eyes had become completely necrotic. She was weak, and barely moved. We knew that she wouldn’t last much longer. I remember trying to keep it together while cleaning her tiny shell, but eventually my emotions took over and I needed to walk away to collect myself. I know that all turtle conservation centers have a percentage of infections and that holding them in pools to allow them to grow is a great way to to increase our sea turtle population. But in that moment I just wanted peace for her. I went back to finish my duties and we segregated her from the others so she could rest. Two days later when we went back, she was dead. In my heart, she’s in a better place, swimming in tiny turtle heaven. R.I.P Hope.
The staff in were very helpful and positive impacts on the volunteers. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Thailand and once again made more lifelong friendships. I highly recommend volunteering with GVI in Thailand, visiting the Tsunami Memorial and Khao Sok National Park where you can explore the jungle surrounded by fresh water lakes.
