VOLUNTEERING AT LOTUS
At Lotus we employ a small team of local staff, therefore there are many ways in which volunteers can help us throughout the year. The greatest need for volunteers is in the summer months June-August as this is when the children are on holiday from school. Our volunteers help out with a range of things from organising activities and events for the children, to teaching extra-curricular classes such as sports or languages, to helping with cooking, maintenance, administration and fundraising.
TESTIMONIALS
Stories from our volunteers
Below, you can read testimonials from past volunteers to get an idea of what volunteering at Lotus is like. If you would like to know more about our volunteering then please see our FAQs or contact us. Or if you are ready to apply then please download and complete the application form through the link below and return it to us.
ANTOINE, 2 WEEKS AT LOTUS, SUMMER 2017
"The best experience comes from the children themselves"
Lotus was my first experience as a volunteer, which was followed by a second one in Vietnam. Both experience were very different but the one at Lotus enjoyed more freedom and room for initiatives. Connecting with the children is easy because they speak very good English and some of them very good French. The Lotus Children’s Centre enjoys a great spot in Mongolia near UB where you find the opportunity to go to the river, hiking several mountains, all of this with the children or on your own. Children’s apart, the most exciting experience you get at Lotus is living in a ger (yurt) during your whole stay there. But as stated the best experience comes from the children themselves! They’re small hearts in feet, some more difficult to get access to but in the end, you always feel a connection. I definitely recommend a volunteer experience there!
SAM, 2 MONTHS AT LOTUS, SUMMER 2016
"The time I spent out at Lotus and Mongolia was equally both eye-opening and rewarding"
I’d say my volunteering experience is something I won’t forget anytime soon. Obviously there were times of up and down, but regardless I knew that would all be part of it, so in reflection the time I spent out at Lotus and Mongolia was equally both eye-opening and rewarding, and definitely something I wouldn’t hesitate to do again. The biggest thing I feel I have gained is an eye-opening, and perspective changing view on Mongolia, and the people (kids too obviously), relative to what I am used to back home, and I suppose similarly to that I really valued being alone and away for 2 months from all that I was used to back home. It feels much more like 2 years of life experience rather than 2 months.
MAX, 2 MONTHS AT LOTUS, SUMMER 2015
"I spent my time there to entertain [the children] and help in the centre as much as I could"
This adventure in Lotus of two month (summer 2015) was for me a great experience, I spent my time there to entertain them and help in the centre as much as I could. Every child has a different profile and a lot of them asked for hiking which is my favourite hobby so I was always in the mountains around the camp with them. It was so great to feel helpful and link this with something I like and transmit it to the children, I can also say that I feel different from the moment I arrive in the Centre. The contact with the children happy after a hard beginning and the volunteer ready to give so much to them changed my way to think about this stuff. I also want to say thank you to Connor, Gary, Maha, James all the children and the others who made my experience better even with some hard time!
ERICA, 2 MONTHS AT LOTUS, SUMMER 2014
"I learned patience and love. The children touched my heart with their positive energy and their affection"
My two months at the Lotus Centre was a time that solidified my commitment for international work. I acquired programmatic skills and insight into the day-to-day tasks of working in a non-profit, but more importantly, I learned patience and love. The children touched my heart with their positive energy and their affection. I miss everything about the Centre–the beautiful scenery; the every day struggles of completing menial tasks, teaching classes and trying to occupy 80 children; the intimate conversations; and the unique relationship I built with each child. I feel that I am tied to the Centre for the rest of my life and I have promised myself to return to Mongolia!