header-photo

VISITING:

Volunteers for Sarnelli House

Sarnelli House is made up of 6 homes for children in three different hamlets in the Nongkhai province of Northeast Thailand.

  1. Our Lady of Refuge Home for Girls
  2. St Patrick’s Home for Boys
  3. Sarnelli House
  4. House of Hope
  5. Nazareth House
  6. The Jan and Oscar House

Volunteers are accepted for work at Sarnelli House only. Since the children infected with HIV/AIDS are now taking the Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) drugs, they are healthy enough to go to school.

IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE ACCEPT VOLUNTEERS DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS ONLY.

March 15 – May 1
October 1 – October 21
Once school opens, volunteers are not needed.

If you are interested in being a volunteer during these times please send the following:

Essential Requirements:

  • Up to date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • 2 letters of recommendation from organizations, schools, or churches.
  • Police Check


Responsibilities of Sarnelli House:

  • Accommodation

Charlene House is a 6 room facility for volunteers. It has 2 beds /room and share bathroom. One room is wheelchair accessible.

Notice: Accommodation at Charlene House

As Charlene House is part of the Catholic Redemptorists Fathers of Thailand, accommodation in Charlene house caters for families and individuals and couples who are married. Couples  who are not married and have been approved for volunteering will need to find accommodation in Nongkhai (Mutmee guest house in Nongkhai is a popular option www.mutmee.com) and transport can be arranged to be picked up and dropped off in Nongkhai on a daily basis.   

 

  • Meals

Lunch and dinner are provided by Charlene House, and breakfast food is available. However Sunday is the cook’s day off, but the kitchen is well stocked with food.

We are unable to accommodate volunteers who have special diets such as strict vegetarians or peanut allergies, etc. Our cook does not have the time or resources to accommodate these special needs

  • Transport to and from airport

 

  • Lots of fun, laughter and love from the children

Charlene House is a 6 room facility for volunteers. It has 2 beds /room and share bathroom. One room is wheelchair accessible.

Responsibilities of the Volunteer:

  • Travel to and from Thailand

Organize and pay for travel to Udon Thani (closest airport to Sarnelli House. It is a 40 minute flight from Bangkok Don Meung Airport). There is an overnight train from Bangkok to Nongkhai as well

Our van will pick you up and drop you off at the airport or train station.

  • Visa

If you are staying in Thailand for less than 30 days you do not need to apply for a visa. You can leave and re-enter the country to get another 30 days over and over again over a period of 6 months. Most countries are included in this deal. Check the website if you are unsure.

If you intend to stay for longer than 30 days, you need to apply for a Tourist Visa. This allows you to stay in the country for 60 days.

You can also apply for a Visa-on-arrival which gives you 15 days in the country.

The Thai government wants all visitors to possess means of living expenses at the amount of 10,000 Baht per person.

Visit http://www.mfa.go.th The Kingdom of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  • Health/Travel Insurance

Ensure that you have adequate travel or health insurance; if you should require hospitalization it would be necessary to transfer you to Bangkok.

Nature of Work:

Playing with the children and keeping them company is one of the main roles of the volunteers at Sarnelli House. Other ways of assisting the staff include

  • Help the staff to dish out the children’s food in the dining room for evening meals
  • Help the staff fold the washed clothes – after lunch
  • Help the children with their English homework
  • Run English classes on the weekend or every day in the school holidays – there are resources- ask Kate.
  • Play and football, soccor, badminton, drums, guitar, ride the bikes with the children.
  • On weekends the children sometimes go on outings. Ask ahead if anything is planned. If they go to Tesco Lotus each adult is assigned several kids. Each child has a spending limit. Help then to choose something appropriate and within their budget
  • Sometimes the kids get a few baht to spend. They might ask you to walk to the local shop with them. Its just a few minutes from Sarnelli House.
  • Teach the teenage girls at Nazareth House or Vienkhuk how to cook eg pancakes, brownies
  • Try to give attention to as many kids as possible rather than getting to know only a handful. If you and a child get attached to each other it’s a difficult process of separation when you leave for you and the child.
  • Respect routines and the Thai staff. The staff have been with the children for a long time and know them well. Be supportive. Learn some Thai.

There are also orphans at St Patrick’s Home for Boys, The House of Hope (children under 5 years) and Our Lady of Refuge Home for Girls at Vienghuk. They don’t get as many visitors as Sarnelli Kids so they would appreciate a visit. You can cycle to these houses.

Please contact Kate Introna for further information:
Email: Kate Introna

 

Visitors to Sarnelli House

Visitors staying at Charlene House

Charlene House has been blessed by faithful donors, like Father Dan, Mike Mouton and Reggie Bollich of Lafayette. But the price of electricity food and fuel makes it imperative that we post a daily US$20 charge for anyone staying at Charlene House. However we don't expect students and local Thai people to pay this cost as we understand the cost of living is not so easy for these groups, and we appreciate their time and efforts to travel here.  

This money will help defray the expenses of electricity, TV (UBC/CABLE TV is 1,600 baht a month), fuel, beverages and food. The charge covers breakfast, plus two cooked Thai meals a day, and the use of laundry machines, TV, and helps with the upkeep of the gardens. We are hard put to keep our 130 children adequately fed, and Charlene House bills were being paid by SARNELLI HOUSE funds that supplies all the children’s needs. We reluctantly decided to take this path. Thank you for your understanding.

Information for Visitors Visiting Any of the Sarnelli House Projects

  • No visitors should enter the showering/bathing areas of any children on any of the sites
  • No visitors should enter the sleeping areas of any children at any of the sites
  • Sarnelli House is a No Smoking Area
  • Visiting Hours : 9.30 -11.30am and 2.30 – 4.30pm
  • Photos are to be taken with permission only
  • Visitors staying on at Charlene House need to provide their passport for a copy of the ID page and visa to be taken.
  • Emergency contact details are to be provided also

 


Considerations

  • Dress

You should dress for a tropical climate: cotton, silk or linen clothes are most comfortable. Exposing too much of your skin will not only earn you sunburn, but is also frowned at by the locals and is not culturally appropriate. No matter how hot it is, gentlemen should wear knee length to long pants, for ladies, pants are also o.k., or you can wear a skirt or a dress that covers the knees. Sleeveless shirts or singlet tops should be avoided. Beach wear is only acceptable on the beach!

  • Drinking Water

The tap water in Thailand is not for drinking. Bottled water is supplied at Charlene House, and Sarnelli House has a water purifying system and all the water in the water dispensers is safe to drink.

  • Language

Try and familiarize yourself with some basic greetings in Thai before you arrive. It will be much appreciated by staff and children.

  • Internet Access

There is internet access in the office, but this is used by staff. There are internet cafes in Nongkhai. There is no phone land line at Sarnelli House.

  • Culture

The King and Queen of Thailand are much loved and respected by all Thais, and you see their portraits in every Thai home. No disrespect or dishonor should be given them and will not be tolerated at Sarnelli House

  • Gifts

If you are looking for something to bring over for the children here are some ideas:

  • Teaching English resources
  • Basic ABC books for toddlers learning English
  • Colouring books and pencils/crayons
  • DVDs in Thai for the kids to watch - great for the rainy season
  • You can buy toys and clothes for children in Nongkhai at a cheaper cost than at home.

 

Security and Child Protection Policy and Guidelines


Please downloand and read  

Sarnelli HouseSecurity & Child Protection Policy and Guidelines
download (pdf format)

In accordance with our Child Protection and Security Policy, if volunteers or visitors are behaving in such a way as contravenes this policy they will be removed from Sarnelli House and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Direction to Sarnelli House from Nongkhai
(approximately 20 kms from Nongkhai)

From Nongkhai follow the signs to the highway to Udon Thani. This is straight 2 laned highway. After about 15 km you will pass the town of Nong Song Hong on your right on the other side of the divided highway. Follow the signs that say Thabo and make a Right U turn to Thabo. When you are facing towards Nongkhai turn Left at Nong Song Hong (road number 211) and follow the road heading towards Thabo, Sri Chiang Mai. After about 7 km you will see a small service station on the right side, and then a sign for Sarnelli House, turn right here, and follow the unpaved road for about 2 kilometers, then turn Right at another sign for Sarnelli House.


 

If you have any further questions, please contact us. Thank you for your interest!

OUR RECENT VISITORS:

April 2013 Visitors

Posted May 5, 2013

Our regular visitor from Ireland, Tommy Kelly came with Irish butter and a lot of energy. He repaired and refurbished a house in the village for a family in need, from the Outreach Program. Thanks Tommy.

 

Ed Schnase from the USA who completed 6 months volunteering at the Fr Ray Foundation in Pattaya came to visit and helped out with teaching English. He has been a great supporter in donating medical items for our clinic.

 Thor Vaassen from Australia came for his first time to Sarnelli House. He bought lots of fun and kindness to the kids, and involved himself in all the holiday activities, and survived his first Songkran. 

 

 

Brothers JoJo and Yai  from Thailand who are studying to be Redemptorists priests were fantastic – they ran Thai language courses, played sports with the kids and were great role models.

 

 

Naomi Weir from Scotland came for her 2nd visit to Sarnelli on her return trip to Thailand – she was waterlogged from all the swimming with the kids and they enjoyed her kindness and fun.

 

Cameron Mills from the UK, our regular visitor who is teaching in Thailand, enjoyed Songkran and all the holiday activities and impressed all the kids and staff  with his Isaan language skills.

 

Marcia Meier from Germany left us after 6 weeks of holiday fun. She will be badly missed by everyone - kids and staff alike,  and we really hope we see her next year – good luck with your studies Marcia! 

 

March 2013 Visitors

Posted April 15, 2013

Two members of The Rotary Club from Forbes, NSW in Australia Jeff Herdegen and Chris Finkel came visiting and we thank them for their support.

 

We welcomed Nina Kaltoff and Saski Geesmann as volunteers for 3 months from our good friends at the APO  in Oberhausen, Germany

 

And we welcomed back from Oberhausen, Germany -  Marcia Meier half of our much loved volunteer duo who left us last year to go back to start their university studies. Everyone was delighted to see Marcia again and will be sad to see her go in 6 weeks time

 

Stephanie Hartigan from The Netherlands and Vanessa Connell from Australia via Koh Samui volunteered in the holidays. Stephanie was able to see the start of the building of the bunk house on Jomp’s Farm which she was responsible for starting the fundraising with The Hague Rotary Club for some of the building. It was Vanessa’s first trip and she we hope we see her again for more English lessons.

 

 Irene and Manu Hiralal from Switzerland visited again they are loyal supporters and we thank them for their visit and their generosity.

 

0 comments

March 2013 Visitors

Posted April 15, 2013

Two members of The Rotary Club from Forbes, NSW in Australia Jeff Herdegen and Chris Finkel came visiting and we thank them for their support.

We welcomed Nina Kaltoff and Saski Geesmann as volunteers for 3 months from our good friends at the APO  in Oberhausen, Germany

And we welcomed back from Oberhausen, Germany -  Marcia Meier half of our much loved volunteer duo who left us last year to go back to start their university studies. Everyone was delighted to see Marcia again and will be sad to see her go in 6 weeks time

Stephanie Hartigan from The Netherlands and Vanessa Connell from Australia via Koh Samui volunteered in the holidays. Stephanie was able to see the start of the building of the bunk house on Jomp’s Farm which she was responsible for starting the fundraising with The Hague Rotary Club for some of the building. It was Vanessa’s first trip and she we hope we see her again for more English lessons.

Irene and Manu Hiralal from Switzerland visited again they are loyal supporters and we thank them for their visit and their generosity.

0 comments

February 2013 Visitors

Posted March 5, 2013


Tammy Gouldstone originally from the USA came for her first visit to Sarnelli from Singapore and will continue on her way to Laos – safe travels Tammy.

 


Andrew Scadding, Crispian Collins and Ruth Flanagan from the Thai Children’s Trust (TCT) in the UK and Carl Gross long time supporter of TCT and Sarnelli House Came for their annual visit. They  were shown the ongoing work on Jomp’s Farm  and enjoyed the kids’ parties. We wish them all the best in their wonderful support of children in need in Thailand.

 

Stuart Constable from the UK visited and renewed his acquaintance with Bank and Nut the 2 blind children who live here, and their teacher Dap. Lunch at KFC and shopping was a big hit – thanks Stuart.

 

Sam Hodge from Australia, a good friend of Fr Ole came for a couple of weeks and played wheelchair basketball with Som Jai, taught some English and enjoyed the kids company. We expect him back next year for another fun filled visit.

 

Mike and Janet O’Connor, Fr Shea’s nephew and wife from Wisconsin, USA came for their 4th visit. Irish rules applied and they bought lots of laughs, cheese and Jamieson to enjoy. 

0 comments

January 2013 visitors

Posted February 15, 2013

Dr Mike Jennings from Lafayette, USA and his wife Kathy and sister in law Mary Ann long time supporters of Sarnelli House came for 2 weeks. Dr Jennings was a great help in the clinic and  everyone enjoyed their time here.

 

Fr Ray Maiser C.S.s.R  studied in the novitiate in the USA in 1958 with Fr Shea, they were ordained priests together in 1964. This is his third visit to Thailand and of course not his last – we welcome him back again anytime

 

 

Maryellyn Crowley and Pam Denhof from St Michael’s Parish, Wheaton USA represented their parish family and in particular Megan Boken  who tragically died last year,  on their first visit to Sarnelli House. St Michael’s parish have been generously supporting the children of Sarnelli House for many years.  Thanks to Pam who donated 100s of tins of Reliv a food supplement for the kids of Sarnelli House.

 Alexandre des Artes from Switzerland visited again and took the kids to the most favourite ice cream shop in town – Swensons, while following up on work for his PIMALI project. 

0 comments

December 2012 Visitors

Posted January 6, 2013

Barb, Fr Chuck (holding a girl) and Gary with farewell group

As visitors Gary and Barb Grendy's, along with Fr. Chuck, were leaving Sarnelli a group of the younger kids stopped tha van and gave them a huge, loving farewell.  Gary and Barb are not new to Thailand but after learning about Sarnelli House they decided they wanted to personally visit with the Sarnelli Family.  In  the picture are Gary and Barb along with Fr, Chuck as they bid their so-long to the kids.  Fr. Chuck is a yearly visitor but Gary and Barb had a great experience. So much so their own two children are now sponsor a child each.

Som and Piak
Som, Piak and Ben took few days off from Bangkok to visit Sarnelli House for their first time. They are friends of Fr Ole. We are glad that they came up and that we got their kind support. Thank you!
Teep, Ben, Pan, Fr Mike (back), Angelique and Jit
Henriette, Jiib and Leon
Dr Rob posting with the kids
Dutch storm came to Sarnelli House, Ben, Angelique, Henriette, Leon, Dr Rob and Jose. They are our regular and good friends spending time during Christmas time with us. The kids love them as do they the kids. They bought the land and are going to build a house here for their yearly visit. We will love to have them around. Thanks!
Fr Ole, Ben, Fr Mike, Luke and Bryan
Our new friends of Sarnelli House, Ben, Luke and Bryan came on the weekend before Christmas. Luke and the team raised funds by T-shirt sale for us. It is very kind and selfless support. Thanks a lot! 
Peh and Tony Zola
Our last but not least visitor of the year 2012, Tony Zola came during Christmas time. He is our regular Christmas visitor and always brings turkey and hams for us.  Thank you for presence and gift! 
0 comments

November 2012 Visitors

Posted December 28, 2012

 

Jack, Ann and Nok from BUPA, Bangkok came for a weekend visit and they donated money to the students who are doing well in the studies at school  and to Fr Shea for the children of Sarnelli House. We thank all their colleagues in BUPA who were so generous with their fundraising

 

  Pun from Bangkok arrived on his days off to get a feel for Sarnelli House; hopefully he will come back in the holidays to volunteer and spend some time with the kids.

 

 

Kirsty Dickenson and David Arnold from Thai Children’s Trust (TCT) in the UK came for a site visit and saw the results of all their great fundraising back in the UK.

  

Lawrence Pian and Caroline from The Jan and Oscar Foundation in Switzerland came for a visit and to see how the Jan and Oscar House is going, while on their way around Thailand visiting their  projects for Thai children that the Jan and Oscar Foundation has funded.

 

 

 Weenarin Lulitanonda and her mother Neesa visited from Bangkok and took some children into Nongkhai for an outing.  We hope to see them again soon.

   Laurianne Badet from Switzerland stayed for 1 month and was a great help teaching English, harvesting rice and making lots of friends during her stay. We wish her lots of happiness for 2013 and the birth of her first baby.

 

 Justine from Switzerland visited during her holiday through Asia and helped with teaching English and hanging out with the kids on the weekend.

 

  

Hedy and Paula both from Switzerland came for their first trip to Sarnelli House while on holidays in Thailand. 

0 comments

October 2012 Visitors

Posted November 27, 2012

 

Jim Snell from the USA came for his regular visit and joined in all the activities along with the other volunteers. 

 

Cyril Ovinet from France came for his first visit to Thailand and to Sarnelli House and volunteered for 3 weeks. He swam, played football joined in the sports day, singing contest and Halloween as well as taught English. He was a great volunteer and we hope to see him again.

 

Stephanie Hartigan from The Netherlands visited again after being here in the March school holidays and at the Koh Samui holidays which she and her friends support. Stephanie gives her all every visit and the kids look forward to her next visit in 2013.

 

Lai - Wah Man from The Netherlands came for her first visit and volunteered for the month. She was a lovely friend and big sister to all the children. She stole the hearts from many of the little ones with her kindness and love.

 

Michiel, Lai –Wah’s boyfriend came to Sarnelli House for the last week of holidays and he was fun and involved in all the activities. We thank them both for their generosity.

 

Sunny Chan from Malaysia and Adrian from Bangkok came for a flying visit and we wish them well and welcome them back anytime.

Tim and Wit with Jennifer Rustige and Sunmeet Gurbain came for another visit. Tim and Wit are long time supporters of Sarnelli House. They bought with them donations from their work in Bangkok.

Harry Eggington and Alastair Simpson from Australia came for 3 weeks after their European holiday and before they start university next year. They were enthusiastic and creative in their games with the kids, and they had the young teenage girls at Sarnelli House trying to monopolize their days. The kids are still waiting for them to give them a return date. 

Cameron Mills from the UK who is working in  Thailand teaching English came on his school holidays and spent time and energy teaching English, swimming and hanging out with the boys from St Patrick’s and Jan and Oscar who love him. 

Kay Ramm from the AECfoundation, AEC  Group Limited, Australia and her partner came to see the results of their donation to Sarnelli House which were the cows, chickens, pigs, fish and ducks on Jomp’s farm. They will contribute to the self sustainability of Sarnelli House.

 Chris Leonard, his mum and aunt gathered the work experience teenagers from the Amari Resort Koh Samui where they have been working for the last 6 months and drove them back home to Sarnelli House. It was a short visit for Chris as the kids were at school and none of the usual “Chris” activities could be held. We thank him for the wonderful care and opportunities he gave the 4 teenagers and hope he can come back for a longer visit next time.  


 100 students from St Mary’s School in Bangkok came for a day’s activities with the kids. They bought with them 6 sacks of rice and donations from the school. They were great fun and great role models for the kids.

0 comments

September 2012 Visitors

Posted October 23, 2012


Margaret Hanvey and Pat Hume both from Belfast, Northern Ireland  visited Sarnelli House. Margaret has been many time and this was Pat's first time to Thailand and Sarnelli House. They taught cooking classes, helped with homework and spent time with the children and spread their love and kindness around.


Stephanie Des Arts - Loup from Switzerland also visited to enjoy the children's company and to follow up on her project PIMALI "Hospitality Training centre for underprivileged young Thai living in the Nongkhai region, Thailand"


Fr Harry Grile and Fr Chuck Beierwaltes 

Fr Wilfred Lowery, C.Ss.R. 

Harry Coughlan from Ireland 



0 comments

August 2012 Visitors

Posted September 16, 2012

John

 Isabella and Alex 
John Busche his wife Annie and children Isabella and Alex from Bangkok came for their second visit to Sarnelli House. They came prepared with arts and crafts materials which the kids at Sarnelli House loved and they became involved in all the houses by visiting and playing with the kids every day.

 

 

Cameron a previous volunteer at the Fr Ray Foundation in Pattaya for many months shared his Thai and sporting skills with the kids. He got to know the boys from St Patrick’s really well and they were sad to see him go.

 

Brian O’Riordan from Cork in Ireland visited again and caught up with all the kids he and his friends and family support. He shared in the weekend activities, even getting up early during the week to visit the kids before school.

Luana Riedi from England made her first visit to Sarnelli for a weekend and connected with her sponsored child. She filled the weekend with visits to the kids’ houses and she hopes to be back again.

 

Jost family and kids at Sarnelli House
Bye bye! Lassika (middle)

Eveline and Armand Jost from Switzerland and their eldest daughter who also has been volunteering in Thailand and Wimie,   came to pick up their other daughter Lassika from her 6 weeks of volunteering at Sarnelli House. It was a short visit but we hope to see them all again and we send lots of love to Lassika and won’t forget her time with the children.

 


A group of young people from Japan who are volunteering with Habitat for Humanity came and spent the day with the children – they had many games and activities prepared and connected so well and happily with the children


Bro Thomas Tuan from Vietnam came and stayed at Sarnelli House for two months. He is a Redemptorist brother/student who is studying Theology in Davao, Philippines, and now taking an immersion year during his third year. He is very cheerful and learns Thai language quickly. The kids and staffs really enjoyed his presence and laughter. He taught some English for kids. He moved to Khonkaen and will help the mission in Laos. We wish him all the best and look forward to his next visit. 


everyone was ad to see them leave.
0 comments

View older posts »