Get involved
Volunteer With Us
Volunteering with Horizon Asia Educational Association (HAEA) means teaching, mentoring, or supporting free education programs for students in Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar migrant communities, either online over Zoom or in person at our Koh Tao base, Wonderland Jungle Hostel.
How you can help
Two paths to volunteer
01
Online, over Zoom
Teach ESL, science, or digital literacy remotely to students in rural Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. This is how HAEA’s Digital Education program runs day to day, and it’s open no matter where you’re based.
02
In person, at Wonderland Jungle Hostel, Koh Tao
Teach or tutor in the hostel’s common-area classroom, which runs 12 weekly English and GED-prep classes for local children and young adults, alongside the volunteers who live and work at the hostel.
On the ground
What volunteers actually do
Depending on the program, volunteers lead group English classes, provide one-on-one tutoring, run Zoom science lessons, mentor a specific student toward a course or exam, or contribute a specific skill: marketing, design, or fundraising support for HAEA itself.
Before you apply
What to expect
This is real teaching, not a guided tour. Classes are volunteer-led, which means preparation and consistency matter: students return week after week. In-person volunteers based in Koh Tao teach from Wonderland Jungle Hostel and can combine volunteering with a stay at the hostel; online volunteers commit to a regular Zoom slot.
Volunteers commit to a minimum of four weeks. The process is simple: a short application review, then an online interview with our team.
More than 50 Wonderland Jungle Hostel guests volunteer as teachers each year, alongside HAEA’s ongoing Koh Tao classes.
Horizon Asia Educational Association, verified 2026-07-21, source: IMPACT.md
Common questions
Volunteering, answered
Do I need teaching experience to volunteer?
No formal qualification is required. Teaching experience helps, but we decide case by case, and current volunteers include ESL specialists as well as people contributing arts, hospitality, or general skills. Because our programs work closely with girls and young women in culturally sensitive communities, we currently accept female volunteers.
Does it cost anything to volunteer?
Volunteering is free, and accommodation at Wonderland Jungle Hostel is provided at no cost to active volunteers. Travel and personal expenses are self-funded.
How long is the commitment?
Volunteers commit to a minimum of four weeks. The process is a short application review, followed by an online interview with our team.
What do I need to volunteer online?
A laptop or computer with a webcam and a stable internet connection for Zoom, plus a regular weekly time slot you can commit to for the length of your placement.
What’s the policy on volunteers interacting with students under 18?
Many HAEA students are under 18, and volunteers never work with them unscreened. Every volunteer goes through an application review and an online interview before starting, and classes and mentoring sessions are coordinated with HAEA program staff and partner organizations. For specific safeguarding questions, email info@horizonasia.org before you apply.
Ready to teach?
Bring a skill, keep a promise to show up.
Apply to volunteer through our contact form or by emailing info@horizonasia.org.