Here are some comments from customers who have already been to Thailand with i-to-i:
Thailand - Community Development:"Thank you again for all your work and for answering all of my many questions and for being so helpful along the way. You made the whole thing so easy. I'm so glad I did the project and I had a really good time. Like I say, it is such a worthwhile cause at Childlife and they are doing a fantastic job with the children. I have been really impressed with i-to-i as a whole and would love to do other projects with you in the future "
Amy Payne, Community Work with Hill Tribe Children in Northern Thailand
"My daughter, Eleanor Janes, is one of your volunteers and has done 2 months in Thailand and is now in Sri Lanka. I met her in Bangkok at the beginning of March between her two placements and she told me what a wonderful experience she is having so I thought I would pass this on to you. As a mother you cannot help but worry when your youngest daughter goes off on these trips but the way she has been looked after has reassured me and I would be so grateful if you could pass on my thanks to your teams in both Thailand and Sri Lanka. In Thailand Mr Tong Hanjaithai was extremely efficient The headmistress of the school where Eleanor was placed , Mrs. Kunwadee Suwannit, went out of her way on many occasions and took the volunteers out for meals and to places of interest at weekends, way beyond the remit of headteachers in England. Her brother, Pong, ran a bar/cafe which the volunteers used in the evenings and he also took them to the school by car each day. So really they were very well catered for and Eleanor thoroughly enjoyed her time at the school and gained a lot from it and I hope she made their life a little easier while she was there. I know she plans to visit them again when she is on her travels. I hope my most grateful thanks can be passed on to the relevant people as I am so relieved to know that Eleanor is in good hands. Many thanks to all your team."
Jane Pagano,(mother of Eleanor Janes), Teach English in coastal Thailand
"I have to say that I was extremely pleased with i-to-i! I was so wary of traveling with a group, but it turned out to be one of the best trips I ever took. 1. We took in a lot of sights in Thailand. Loads of temples, national parks, elephant conservation, children's orphanage, AIDS hospice. Going to so many temples in the searing hot weather the first couple of days of arriving was disorienting and energy warping, especially with the jet lag and climate adjustments we had to make.I loved going to the children's orphanage. I wish we had more days visiting with the children and helping out at the AIDS hospice. Everything else was perfect!
The accomodations were for the most part, surprisingly cozy and sweet. The hostel in Chiang Mai was disturbing. I was actually scared to go to sleep. But every other place was fine. Not too luxurious to spoil us, but not too rough either.
Getting to Laos was tough. Although I was so proud of myself for getting through the long speedboat rides, it was only because it was so risky! Going down to the boats was extremely dangerous, with no rails to hold onto VERY steep steps. A thin plank made up the walkway to the boat, which made my heart beat twice as fast when I saw it, especially with my luggage. In the end, I'm glad I got to experience something so hard, but I'm not sure I would be able to do it again knowing what it comprises of!
Before, I was absolutely terrified out of my mind. Who are these people that signed up to go? Who are the people who are going to lead us? Is this a trick, and am I going to be kidnapped and sold into prostitution? (I was being slightly dramatic here. To say the least, I was anxious). When I got there and I met my roommate, I was so relieved. She was so nice. In the morning, when I realized that my group was as normal as me, I was definitely put at ease. Afterwards, I felt so rewarded. I wanted to do it again, a million times over, just to feel the emotions I did when I finished the journey.
Hands down, no questions asked, I would do it over again. I'm glad it was so tough the first time, but it was only because I didn't know what was coming! I would do it over, because it challenges me."
Kaye Park, Meaningful Tour: The Thailand and Laos Experience
"I thought the trip was thoroughly organised and the enthusiasm and spirit of the in country team made it a really enjoyable two weeks."
Kevin Breen, Meaningful tour: The Thailand and Islands experience
"Teaching at school everyday was a challenging but rewarding experience. The children from school are beautiful and always full of energy and it was really special to be able to help prepare them for a better future on Koh Tao. However, without the support of Bee and the other volunteers this project could not be succesful - a lot of hard work goes into just getting the school and volunteers ready for english lessons and I take my hat off to Bee for all his hard work - he has been a great support for me and the other volunteers!"
Kathryn Smith, Teach English on a tropical island in Thailand
"The island is a beautiful and friendly place with lots of amazing things to see and do so with all the things combined I can safely say that my trip to Koh Tao was more that I could have expected. I am genuinly sad to leave here and I hope that other passionate volunteers can help to continue the development in conservation and English on the Island. "
Kathryn Smith, Conservation on a tropical island in Thailand
"It was a lovely way to spend a month in Thailand, I got to learn a lot about the Thai culture and the children and staff at the school were so warm and welcoming. It would have been helpful to know more about what to take as if I was to undertake a similar placement again I would take with me a lot more page as the children loved listening to english books being read and playing the game I brought along."
Beth English, Teach English in coastal Thailand
"It's changed my life for the better and anything I can do in terms of spreading the word would be my pleasure. Thankyou."
Catherine Beazley, Conservation on a tropical island in Thailand
