date: 09 09 2005

Sawatdeeka everyone!
Team 5 is on its way to Phuket as you read this. We have also decided that Team 6 (Oct) is officially a GO which is great news! The December trip is also on, but more details for that one will have to wait til the next newsletter. All we know for now is it will take place between December 18th and January 6th. Read on to get an idea of what is in store for you!
 
Volunteer Team
We have 11 great volunteers who have expressed interest in the October trip (aka Team 6).  Several of you are holdovers from Team 5 who want to volunteer for more than a 2 week stint.  Our volunteers come from all over the world and bring all kinds of great skills and experience to the project.
 
Dot Higgins: Dubai, former volunteer
Caroline Schalles: Chicago, marketing, friend of former volunteers
Dave Bresci: Burlingame, CA, computer professional, also on Team 5
Larry Ono: Seattle, formerly with Seattle fire department, also on Team 5
Mica Allan: Scotland, currently traveling in SE Asia, also on Team 5
Anne Craig/Chris Lawson:  NY, work with former PP volunteers
Kris Wlodarski: Warsaw, Poland, computer expert, amateur race car driver
Zach Albright: Kent, OH, extensive building and landscaping experience, former Eagle scout, also on Team 5
Walter Miros: Wayne, PA, construction project manager, read about us on Craig's List
Brian Felakos: New York; field response with American Red Cross, also on Team 5
 
We'd like to assemble a team of 20, so there are several open spots still left...please spread the word among your friends and colleagues.

 
Travel Plans/Dates
The exact dates of Trip 6 are as follows:
 
Sat 10/1  Volunteers need to arrive in Bangkok by Sat night
Sun 10/2  Volunteers will assemble at hotel in Bangkok (tbd), fly to Phuket early pm
Mon 10/3  Project begins
Fri 10/14  Project ends
Sat 10/15  Volunteers fly back to BKK early afternoon
 
For those of you who are also on Team 5, you will have a few down days in between the two groups (Sat 10/1 and Sunday 10/2).  You're free to relax, travel with your fellow volunteers, whatever.  You will need to meet back up with the group on Sunday night.
 
Travel expenses/budget
To clarify, volunteers are responsible for paying their own airfare to Thailand, hotel accomodations in Bangkok, incidentals and food during the 2 week trip.  Other volunteers have suggested checking www.kayak.com for airfares.  (Note about December trip: airfare is getting very expensive because it is high season and the price of gas is up. The best prices are on Korean Air for $1139 right now, here is a good travel agent if you are in New York: Khun Jing (212)684-4090. Tell her Maya referred you)
 
Everyone is required to pay a $100 project fee that covers the following:  RT airfare from Bangkok to Phuket, hotel accomodations in Phuket area, transportation to/from worksite, project related incidentals.  There are no hotel costs above and beyond the project fee.
 
As for budgets, food is very affordable in Thailand--if you budget $15-20/day you will be MORE than covered.
 
Volunteer Project
We will be confirming your exact project over the next few weeks.  Our goal is to find a meaningful project where we can make a real impact and where you will have the opportunity to interact with the local Thai communities that you're helping.  More information will follow.
 
Paperwork
In order to save a spot on the team for you, We need to get the following from each of you:
 
1) Signed volunteer agreement:  we require all volunteers to sign the attached agreement, if you have any questions about it please email Nancy or Mach
2) Volunteer information sheet: if you haven't already returned this to us, please do so (can be emailed)
3) Copy of your current passport
4) Check for $100 made out to SSF-Phuket Project (for those of you from Team 5, you will need to pay a second project fee for Team 6)
 
Please send all of the above to Nancy for Teams 5 and 6 at:  Nancy Curby, 2720 N Greenview Ave, Unit I, Chicago, IL 60614.
 
Vaccinations
Please consult your doctor and/or local travel immunization clinic for advice on vaccinations.  You typically need to do this 4-6 weeks before you travel, so please start looking into this NOW.
 
Visas/passports
There is no visa required for US citizens entering Thailand as tourists for 30 days.  Citizens of other countries should check with the appropriate authorities to find out whether a visa is needed.  Please check your passports and make sure that they're valid.
 
What to bring
Nancy put together a list of things that other volunteers found helpful to have.  Remember that (in most cases) you can buy what you need in Thailand and that laundry services are affordable and fast.
 
Communicating
Please make sure that you sign up for the Phuket Project group at www.groups.yahoo.com.  This is a great way to connect with our volunteer community, to ask their advice on various things and to read old emails from people about their experiences. 
 
Nancy has been handling all the volunteer logistics for the Fall teams.  Please feel free to email her with questions...Curby@phuketproject.org. For all questions regarding the December team, please email Maya at maya@phuketproject.org.

We will do our best to get them answered as quickly as we can....but remember that we are doing this in addition to our "regular" jobs so if you don't hear from us right away that's why!
 
Thanks,
 
Nancy, Maya, Mach, and The Team at PhuketProject.org