We are continously assessing projects in India, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Pakistan to evaluate their appropriateness for the volunteer program.

This year De La Salle College Malvern are continuing their successful Coolies Program to India as well as a Year 11 group visit to Papua New Guinea. Joining them in the volunteer program this year is Southern Cross Catholic College Scarborough who will be leading volunteers to projects in Vietnam. St Bede's College Mentone are sending senior students to both Papua New Guinea and India to assist in renovations and building works. And Oakhill College will be taking their second group across to India.

In 2009, the De La Salle schools were very active in sending volunteer groups to work with their Lasallian family around the Asia Pacific. De La Salle College Malvern again sent a group of Year 11 students across to Mainohana in Papua New Guinea to build two teacher houses. And later in December 2009, the Coolies group went to India to assist programs. This year's group included two students from St Michael's College Henley Beach, SA.

Also i n 2009, the inaugural group from Oakhill headed to India during the September/October school holidays to teach the local students and staff how to make flat pack furniture and also to help renovate some of the projects. St Bede's College also led their first group to India to work with Boys Village.

THAILAND 2010 - POSTPONED

Due to the current political instability in Thailand and the call for elections in November, we have indefinitely postponed this volunteer trip to Thailand. We hope that in 2011 the situation will be more safe.

Currently a trip to Thailand in September/October 2010 to help build new school buildings for the Bamboo School is being planned. This school serves the children of Burmese refugees displaced from their homes in the north of the country and who are now living on the Thai/Myanmar border. For many of these children, some up to age 14, this is their first time at school. The De La Salle Brothers started running the school in late 2008. Before the Brothers took over, the teachers worked without pay for 6 months. Slowly, the Brothers are creating a more secure and safe school environment for students and staff.

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COOLIES

De La Salle College Malvern is again conducting its annual Coolies Week program in December. A group of Year 12 boys fundraise during the year and at the end of the year instead of heading to Schoolies Week celebrations, these generous guys spend one month in India building homes and maintenance work for poor families.

Oakhill are heading back to India during the September/October school holidays to teach the local students and staff. We hope to keep expanding this program to other De La Salle schools and affiliated organisations.

To express your interest in participating in overseas volunteer opportunities, contact us by email or phone (03) 9832 3100.

Volunteering does not have to happen overseas. You can make a difference here in Australia.

If you would like to assist with events, video production/editing, IT, marketing or other local activities, contact us by email or call (03) 9832 3100.