As a retired Accountant with over 40 years in the workforce I was looking for an NGO in Asia where I could use my experience to assist in the area of finance and fundraising. Volunteering is not new to me having had very rewarding volunteer experiences in Nepal and Thailand.

The process to find an effective NGO resulted in reviewing websites, both volunteer based and NGO specific. My first review of FED’s most informative website had me eager to further explore this option. I then sought advice of two trusted friends both of whom had worked with effective NGO’s in post Tsunami Thailand. They both spoke highly of FED.

Where I initially thought I would be imparting knowledge accumulated over many years it was I who learnt far more than I imparted. My brief time with FED was one of the most enriching experiences in my life.

The pre-departure process was professionally handled by Zurine and the Finance team, who I worked alongside, made me feel so welcome. They were open to suggestions and were very teachable.

I was struck by the way everyone welcomed me and how I was treated like family. Their hospitality and generosity to me was amazing.

Like most Westerners I have some knowledge of the struggles of the Burmese people but learnt so much and was privileged to hear their stories, struggles plus their hopes and dreams for a free Burma.

Unfortunately I was unable to meet their highly regarded Director but I was very impressed with the leadership abilities of their Deputy Directors, both young women. With leadership like this a free Burma will be in very good hands.

This volunteer experience has impacted me far more than the others. I am now looking at how I can assist FED back in Australia and have made suggestions I hope will be taken up.

FED is an outstanding Burmese led NGO working in a holistic way with Burmese migrants in Southern Thailand. I can highly recommend them as a place to volunteer with or if you can’t volunteer you can donate to them instead. They are doing an amazing job with minimal funding.

Should you make it to FED I can guarantee you will be the one who will be both challenged and enriched by the experience.