Amy and orphans enjoying time together

The Thailand association Laekplian Lokgatat (Global Exchange) and Mundo Exchange Organisation sincerely thank the following English donors who helped to improve the lives of children in Thailand. The following donors provided orphans and other children without families with needed school and play clothing, educational games, nutritional food, school materials and other needed supplies.

Sophie, helping to make Songkran gift for elders

Our Thailand volunteer manager, Amy Fry, along with her sister and Thailand volunteer Sophie Fry collected donations while in England Gave donations or/ and participated in car boot sales, Erica’s Cask Sales, Swap Shop Evening Sales, Rummikub Game Sales and more. Amy first came with Sid and helped Mundo and Lokgatat with Thai volunteer projects many years ago. Amy’s continued managerial and volunteer support has been instrumental to helping many poor and rural children in Esan Thailand. Amy, Sid, Sophie and the following Thailand volunteer donors and Great Britain businesses and hospitals are appreciated by all.

1. Margaret Fry
2. Dorothy Morris
3. Darren Wilkinson
4. Ruth Cunningham
5. Valerie and Tony Nunn
6. Jeff and Maggie Williams
7. Suzanne and Mike Gray
8. Jo Hack
9. Angela Tibbles
10. Sybil and Mike
11. Claire Edmunds
12. Katy Murphy
13. Sarah Hammond
14. Harriet Baxter
15. Rosemary Dallimore
16. Olive Glascott
17. Jenny Emery
18. Kim Newrick
19. Cecil Luker
20. Naomi Boast
21. Felsa Jacka Slater
22. Liz Jacka Slater
23. Larry and Isobel Montagu
24. Paul Montagu
25. Sara Wakefield
26. Ruth Reigler
27. Tracy Knox
28. Marion Mitchell
29. Lisa and Dave Elliott
30. Lena Taleb
31. Louise and Ella Babbage
32. Hayley Berry
33. Emma Brown
34. Erica and Tim Hack
35. Sara Askew
36. Querida Williams
37. Sarah Apperley
38. Nick Johnson
39. Simon David
40. Nadeem Siddiqui
41. Becky Taylor
42. Nikki Brown
43. Vicky Pecson
44. Staff at Cheltenham SCBU
45. Special Care Baby Unit General Hospital
46. Staff at Gloucester SPBU
47. Staff at Alpha Colour Printers

Some of the great ideas for needed items that were provided by our British volunteers, friends and donor to Thai orphans and other poor children are:

• Height Charts
• Water guns
• Stickers
• Colouring books
• Markers for art projects
• Balls Large
• Crayon Packs
• Boxes of large crayons
• Toys small chicks pack
• Dominoes
• English Felt Letters
• Frog toys
• Chalk boxes
• Toy Action figures
• Dinosaurs
• Creature toys
• Whistles
• Maze toys
• Medals
• Harmonicas
• Erasers
• Educational CDs
• Bats/Balls
• Space Hopper Toys
• Balloons
• Bubble wands
• Games
• Toys
• Face paints/Art Supplies
• T Shirts
• Pants
• School Uniforms
• Shorts
• Flip Flops
• Hair Shavers
• Swimming Pools
• Water Balls
• Water Games
• Educational puzzles
• Soap, toothpastes, brushes
• Musical CDs
• Nutritional foods and meals

Thank you all again for your support for the children in rural Thailand!

My time in Thailand started with a short visit in Bangkok, followed by a grueling 10-hour overnight bus ride (for some reason I didn’t listen when Dalyn told me to take the train) to Nong Khai. When I finally arrived, my budding cold/jetlag hangover had fully sprouted. I was tired, stiff, feeling completely distraught with full-on culture shock. I sat waiting on the steps of the Thai-Laos hotel where I would meet my hosts, and though I was excited to finally start my volunteering journey I couldn’t help but focus on the current elements and miss home a bit. Then I saw Dalyn and Nalinrat (who I only knew from email, one phone call and some photos) round the corner and my mood immediately elevated. Dalyn yelled out an especially exuberant “Sawatdee ka!!” and I couldn’t help but smile as I went in to hug my gracious hosts. It truly was a sight for sore eyes. We then went to the Nong Khai volunteer home where I met another volunteer, Marta and my other Thai host, Yoon. We spent just a short time in Nong Khai which included a cultural outing to the amazingly weird sculpture park, Sala Keoku. Even though I was sick and out of sorts, I felt right at home with my volunteer family. They insisted that I sleep off the sickness, and Nalinrat made sure to feed me plenty of healing Thai herbs. I’m not quite sure what was in the medicines, but they really did work. By the time we travelled to the school placements in Bueng Kan, I was feeling much better and very ready to start my assignment.

Cultural learning at Salakaewku

I was delighted to wake up the following day with no cough (Dalyn’s requirement for me to able to start my first day of school), so I could meet the children and see what was in store for me.

Yoon stayed with me for the first day of class at a rural school while I got acquainted with the teachers, school directors and my surroundings. During free time between English classes, we quickly found a sweet spot to sit—under the gorgeous orange flowery vines in the courtyard. This also proved to be the ideal spot to gain many Thai children fans that seemed to thoroughly enjoy at the mere presence of a farang. Some were shy at first, but a few groups of kids quickly got adjusted to me, moving from the furthest table to sitting right at my own table. Yoon helped me practice a few phrases with them before going to our next English class. Most of my days at school consisted of helping with about three English classes, then spending the rest of my time just hanging out with the kids in the courtyard—sometimes practicing my Thai or their English, sometimes showing them photos or playing with my camera, but many times, they would just sit and stare at me and smile when I looked up. It felt a little awkward at first, but the children were so endearing, genuine and sweet that I couldn’t help but laugh. It turned out to be a great way to communicate with them and taught me more about just enjoying the presence of someone or something for what it is. We didn’t have to talk or try to impress each other; it was just nice to be there. Yoon told me this experience is good for the kids to become accustom with farang if they ever leave Bueng Kan to work in the hospitality industry.

Spending school's break time with kids.

During class, I helped the teacher call out English words and phrases and checked student writings for accuracy. Mostly, I was there to show the correct pronunciation and for the children to see how I write, talk and emphasize certain syllables. The students and teachers called me “Miss Candy” because it is hard for Thai people to pronounce “Candace.” I was perfectly fine with this nickname and it was humorous to tell my friends and family back home.

Everyday spent in the classroom was a joy, but I especially loved being able to bring my guitar and teach the kids a short song. Most kids had never learned an English song, so even just the few lines I gave them was a big task. They were eager to learn, though, and caught on quickly. By the end of class, we were all singing the song together. The next day I heard a girl humming the song to herself when I walked into class.

All the children were special to be around, but two girls really touched my heart. They always kept an eye on me and I on them. One was a kindergarten student, the only young one brave enough to sit right next to me at my table spot in the courtyard.

Another was a P.4 girl with a gorgeous smile and kind demeanor.

Students like Candace as their sister.

On the last day, they both made sure to get as much face time in as possible and one even passed me a note that said, “I love Candy.” My heart instantly turned to puddy and I felt so honored to have met these children. Just being with the kids, observing their morning ritual, eating lunch with the teachers and smiling in the courtyard made for an incredibly valuable and unforgettable experience. I miss it so dearly already and hope to be able to return one day. I hope after hours of giggling and posing for photos together that the children I met are a little more comfortable with farang. I know my own comfort level was broadened and I left the school with sore cheeks from smiling and laughing so much.

After feeling like a foreigner at school all day, it was so nice to come home to what felt like people I knew from ages ago. It really did feel as much like home as possible. We would check in and discuss our day, talk about what projects were coming up and have dinner together or walk to the beach. My whole intention in coming to Thailand was to have a challenge and adventure on my own, so having a home base while millions of miles from home was an immeasurable benefit.

Having fun in relaxing time.

My caring hosts also made sure to pack in as many cultural outings as possible during my short stay. I stayed overnight at a forest wat (read more here) and hiked to the top of the mountain Wat Phu Tok (with some needed encouragement from Yoon.) Both of those experiences really tested the limits of my character and helped me grow. I surely wasn’t 100% comfortable for the total time during these experiences, but those were the moments when I stopped and reflected on myself and got in the moment. Living in the woods like a nun was a bit of a challenge, but I know it was an experience few other tourists in Thailand get. By the time we reached level 5 at Wat Phu Tok, I was ready to stay there and not push myself to level 7. But Yoon, encouraged me to crawl up the somewhat scary last steps and I was so glad for it. These experiences were the kind I hoped to have while planning my trip but couldn’t possibly imagine until I actually did them.

At the top of Wat Phutok

I would like to thank my hosts for having me and helping to make my experience the best possible. Having Yoon (someone very close to my own age) around was incredibly valuable. He was tireless in his offers to practice Thai with me or show me hidden treasures at the beach. Playing guitar with Gyb was great and one of my favorite nights at the house. Dalyn and Nalinrat are so bright and full of energy. Volunteer Marta was so entertaining to be around and a true inspiration to keep learning despite our age. Intern Val was great to talk to and easy to connect with. Everyone, hosts and volunteers, worked no nicely together and made for a warm and pleasant experience. I wish them all the best!

Having dinner at volunteer's house

Candace and Marta having conversation with a monk

Many tourists making the sojourn to Asia probably plan to see a temple, or “wat,” at some point on their journey. Religious buildings and gathering places are common tourist attractions for any travel destination, but there is something about the majestic Asian temples that draws a foreigner in to see them up close. Perhaps it is the rich, Asian history or the idea that a temple visit will lead to endless lush green fields, pointed stupas and wise Buddhist musings. Ancient lands, enlightenment, peaceful serenity, and honing in on your true inner self are the made up mantra for tourists hoping to explore these quaint religious grounds. The majestic imagery of temples, or “wats,” in Thailand is especially abundant, where there are numerous wats of varying size and stature. The country is 95 percent Buddhist, and most Thais take their religion seriously, practicing meditation actively, while giving frequent thought or praise to Buddha throughout their day.
As an outsider, there are several things to keep in mind while attending these places of religious worship. Whether in Bangkok, Phuket or Chang Mai, visitors will find many options for a wat visit. Many temples are open throughout the day for the public to come inside, observe and meditate privately.
Other wats draw in camera-happy tourists who can pose for a photo in front of a large golden or emerald Buddha. Wats that serve as housing for active monks and nuns are less available to the average tourist, but many are actually open for visitation, sometimes even giving the opportunity to stay and practice Buddhist ways at the temple overnight.

Basics of Visiting a Wat

Regardless of the degree of formality and exclusivity of a Thai wat, there are several steadfast guidelines to keep in mind to show respect and avoid possible cultural misunderstandings. Here are a few rules common to visiting any wat in Thailand.

• Remove your shoes before entry. This is a common and strictly followed rule for any Thai home and even some places of business. Larger tourist wats have shelves for your shoes and a line to enter and place your shoes accordingly. Smaller wats will have a sign reminding you to remove your shoes at the entrance. Always remember, even if there is not a sign, it is understood to remove shoes before stepping on the flooring where Buddha statues are held and in order to sit for meditation. The basis behind the shoe removal comes from the belief that feet are a dirty and unfavorable part of the body. The head is sacred (remember never to touch the head of a Thai person, especially not a monk!) but the feet are considered the lowest body part and should therefore never be used to point to or grab objects.
• Dress modestly and properly. Visitors should wear clothing that is respectful and non scandalous. A simple collared shirt and clean pants or a long skirt should work just fine.
• Act in a way that is not flashy or loud. Be quiet and orderly, keeping in mind the presence of others.

These simple rules will save a lot of grace and prevent social blunders. They may seem like common sense, but to the outsider that is busy taking in the serenity and beauty of a wat, it’s sometimes easy to forget a rule or two. If you discover yourself messing up, don’t make a big scene. Just quickly and quietly fix the problem.

Overnight Visit

Of course, there are understandably more extensive rules for staying overnight at a wat in the presence of practicing monks and nuns. Wat Ambhavan is one such wat tucked away along the Mekong River near Bueng Khan in the Singburi Province of Thailand. While quiet and humble, the wat delightfully offers overnight visitors, assuming that they will adhere to a certain level of cooperation and mirroring of their practice. Upon arrival, outsiders will see signs with profound phrases (written in Thai, but translated for English speakers) sprinkled throughout the forest of majestic trees.

Candace, cooking at the temple

Deeper Understanding of Buddhism
Learning the five key Buddhist principles helps the visitor to understand more about the culture and reasoning behind the religious ceremonies. A small amount of background knowledge makes for a better stay at the temple and allows for deeper focus and meditation. Though the first five are of utmost importance, many Buddhists also follow the eight precepts and sometimes even ten.
Wat Ambhavan lists eight precepts in its guide for Dhamma Practitioners:

1. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking life.
2. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking what is not given.
3. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct.
4. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false speech.
5. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from intoxications that cause carelessness.
6. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from abstain from taking food at inappropriate times.
7. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from abstain from dancing, singing, music, unseemly shows, from wearing of garlands, smartening with scents and embellishment with unguents.
8. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from abstain from the use of high and large luxurious couches and beds.

The rules are sometimes adapted or phrased differently, but the basics are still there: no killing (this sometimes leads to a vegetarian lifestyle), no stealing, no sex, no lying and no drugs. Following these rules will earn you respect and prevent the Thais from exclaiming “Oh my Buddha!” as a result of your silliness.

Within these behavior models, visitors at most wats are also asked to follow the dress, eating habits and meditation schedule of their fellow monks and nuns. It’s not a lot to ask for a short stay at a holy place of worship, but even if you mess up, the monks and nuns are usually forgiving and take things with a grain of salt. Basically, you’ll be walking, dressing, eating, sleeping and meditating just like a monk or nun.
Dress

When staying for a longer period of time, visitors should dress in white. This means every article of clothing: white pants, shirt and a typically a robe to go across. You should not wear jewelry, perfume, or any other unnecessary adornments or luxuries. Monks wear orange robes, and women are forbidden from touching the monk or his robes.
Meditation


In addition to dress, wats have particular seating standards for meditation. You should follow their meditation schedule as closely as possible. Wat Ambhavan has an early morning chant and meditation at 3:30 a.m. each day Don’t worry about not being able to wake up early—a series of loud chimes radiates throughout the wat grounds to awaken everyone. Walking meditation takes place at 5 p.m. Everyone lines up behind the head monk and traverses throughout the monastery in a slow pacing movement. The focus is on breathing slowly, taking in the good and releasing the bad. Immediately following walking meditation, there is a ceremony of seated meditation on the marble floor next to the river. Everyone should remain quiet and calm during meditation. Sit with feet pointing behind you, never directly at another person. If you are unaccustomed to sitting for hours at a time, remember to transfer your weight by shifting to multiple seated positions throughout the meditation in order to avoid injury.

Walking Meditation in the early morning at the temple

Then it’s time to retire for the evening. Sleeping arrangements include nothing more than a thin mat and blankets, the toilet is nothing more than a hole in the ground and the shower water probably won’t be warm. Overall, the goal is to be mindful and not concentrate on the standard civilian luxuries you are missing. To get the true experience, you are also asked not to read write or study during your stay. Wat Ambhavan offers this advice, “You should keep in mind that you came to practice to develop the level of your mind. Scrub the defilements and cravings so they become thinner. You didn’t come to fin d happiness in living comfortably and eating well. Therefore, you have to put in extra effort to endure the inconveniences and things that come into your contact, all of which are things to test your endurance and virtue to see how much of them you have.”

Food
Visitors should also follow the eating schedule closely. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m. followed by lunch around 11 a.m. at most wats. The nuns prep and cook the entire meal, then haul food and dishes away to clean. Monks are seated on a higher pedestal than nuns and are served first. No food is served past noon and only a bit of tea or soy milk is allowed in the early evening. At Wat Ambhavan, all meals are strictly vegetarian and many ingredients come directly from the garden making for a truly rustic meal.
Suggested Wat Visits

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Reclining Buddha in Bangkok – This visit is incredibly easy to complete in an hour and a great quick stop in the bustling city. A small fee gets you up close and personal with a 46 meter long golden Buddha and the ability to walk around the Wat Pho temple grounds.

http://www.watpho.com/en/home/index.php

Address:
2 Sanamchai Road
Grand Palace Subdistrict, Prankhon District
Bangkok, Thailand 10200
Salakeoku sculpture park in Nong Khai – This is technically a sculpture park and not a wat, but the majesty and grandeur are all the same. Sculptor Launpou Bounleua created dozens of bizarre Hindu and Buddhists sculptures that rest in a park alongside a peaceful pond, making for plenty of great photos to sate those with a craving for the weird and mystical.

http://garden-buddha-sculpture.blogspot.com/

Address:
3 km from Nong Khai by tuk tuk
Thailand
Wat Phu Tok – This is one stop shop for wats and includes lush gardens and landscapes with an amazing, but tricky mountain to climb. The hike allows plenty of places for private meditation and reflection on a true test for enlightenment. The temple also sometimes allows for overnight visitors.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/nong-khai-province/wat-phu-tok

Address:
Near Bueng Kan, accessible by bus or tuk tuk

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/nong-khai-province/wat-phu-tok/transport/

getting-there-away
Wat Ambhavan In a forest near Beung Kan, no Web site
Any temple you choose to visit in Thailand will likely provide for a truly unique experience and a defining portion of the trip. There is much to be learned at a Buddhist wat if the visitor is simply willing to be open.
* Note about the author: Candace Birkelbach stayed at a Buddhist Wat while volunteering with Mundo Exchange, an NGO non-profit which operates community development programs in Thailand, Guatemala and The Dominican Republic. For more information about Mundo Exchange, please visit http://mundoexchange.org/

Volunteering with Mundo Exchange and Laekplian Lokgatat is a great experience for children who have the opportunity to work with retired volunteers. With age, often comes an increase of understanding and empathy based on past experiences and exchanges. People like Marta offer children and young volunteers knowledge and laughter that can only come when diversity of age and cultures combine forces and explore the culturally unknown. We at Mundo Exchange and Lokgatat are thankful to have Marta as a global volunteer in Thailand and as a life long friend to so many living in Isaan Thailand.

I am Marta from Austria, and I arrived in Thailand the 5 of January 2011. I was longing to volunteer abroad since I retired and have my Pension. Now I do volunteer in Thailand for my first time. After connecting through Mundo Exchange I met Nalinrat who is a member of the Thai Association, Laekplian Lokgatat, the group that helps volunteers once they are in Thailand. Nalinrat is one of my Thai hosts and along with two other volunteers from Ireland they met me at Udon Thani Airport.  On this day that I came to volunteer “Children’s Day” was celebrated in Thailand.  We all went straight on to two orphan homes, and what an eventful start for me!!

The next few days I spent in the Nong Khai at the Mundo Lokgatat Volunteer Center. It was a nice beginning of my Isaan life. Since then I have been living in Buengkan with Dalyn, Nalinrat, Yoon and Gyp. There were also other volunteers there too. I lived some time with Sandra who has been here 5 times and a new volunteer, Candace and an intern from Canada, Val, and Stefan from my home country.

I am teaching English, I think it is better to say we try to speak English a bit, at a primary school class where most of the young Thai children come from families that work in the fields. I volunteer and help the Thai students by team teaching with a Thai teacher and letting them hear my use of the English language.

It is so fascinating for me to volunteer and see Thai-school life, teachers and the so dear Isaan pupils. Day by day they lose their shyness and every day we get a bit closer.  I just love being with them.  About 10.30 in the morning it is already lunch time! It is so great watching them when they clean their own dishes.

As a little present for them, I brought from Austria an English-DVD-for beginners, a farming book with pictures to look at, reusable stickers.  I could see their pleasure in enjoying these gifts. Finally I go by bicycle to school every morning. It is a nice ride nearby the Mekong. Having a bike is just marvelous for me. Biking around Bueng Kan and the seeing the environment, I like very much.

In our Thai neighborhood I go to see a nice Thai lady and family members almost every day in the afternoon. She has a son in school, another son at a Thai University, and a daughter studying to be a nurse. We practice English.  I talk about Europe, the EU, about Austria etc.etc. It is for me very nice to be able to visit and get to know an Isaan family.

I went with another Isaan family on another cultural outing. Nui, my team teacher took me to her family in a little village for a whole day, it was such a great, eventful, exciting day for me. I rode on a motor bike through the rice fields, watched them catch fish in the mud and had a wonderful picnic.  I will never, never forget this time.

One evening I cooked Austrian food. I got everything at the market, also potatoes but no flour! Finally, Nalinrat my Thai host made it possible, she got the flour somewhere for me. We so enjoyed eating together and learning about each other’s ways.

Some are surprised about me being 66 years old and doing this adventure all by myself. I am happy I did it and proud being a part of Mundo Exchange and Laekplian Lokgatat. I am so pleased to have the chance to be so close to these Isaan people and their land. Thanks to Dalyn, Nalinrat, Yoon, Gip.  They are such a wonderful team.

The Friday of 14th of January 2011, Nalinrat our Thai host from Laekplian Lokgatat, Gyb who is currently another one of our volunteer Thai hosts and is learning about herbs with Nalinrat, and I, Valérie, who after contacting Mundo Exchange and was accepted as an volunteer intern in Thailand, left Buen Kan to stay at a vegetarian community part of the Santi Asoke movement.

Community entrance

Day 1

The first day we arrived we were warmly welcomed to the Din-Nong-Dan-Nue Community. The community was holding a seminar on organic farming and plenty of farmers from the local Thai region came to stay there for 2 days.  As an intern and volunteer in Thailand I got the chance to interview Choochat Nasawang, the founder of the community. He gave me some explanations about the community, which took 12 years to be founded.

Din-Nong-Dan-Nue Community follows the Santi Asoke movement. There are 24 communities of this type in Thailand. Their way of life is based on Buddhism with the addition of adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. Morality is included in everything; work, lifestyle and even in the way they farm. It can be perceived also by their way of greeting each other. Instead of using the common ‘’Sawadee Ka’’ they say ‘’Jaleum Dham’’, which can be interpreted as develop your mentality and used to remind people to act in function of their inner goodness.

There are 26 people living in this Thai Isaan community permanently and only 1 monk. They practice sustainable organic farming on their 40 acres land. They grow rice, herbs, vegetables and fruits to be self-sufficient. They have a rice miller and a factory to manufacture their own herbs. Most of what they use to cook is grown on the spot. These Thais recycle, do composting and use natural energy like fire to cook and gravity to pump water instead of electricity.

Use of fire natural energy

The people who come for seminars are trained to be self-sufficient following Buddha’s teaching. They learn about organic farming, how to heal themselves through herbs and even how to produce soap naturally. When laypeople stay in the community they have to follow the 5 precepts (abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication) and adopt a vegetarian diet as meat is forbidden in the community. There are 5 doctors who specialize in herbs and natural healing. They also live in the Thai community. The people who joined the community permanently often have suffered from physical illness or emotional difficulties. The community does not accept money but gets some revenue through the selling of natural medicines. The ministry of agriculture of Thailand gives a bit of money, but rarely.

After the interview, Choochat Nasawang asked me to give a speech in front of the farmers who came for the seminar. He mentioned to me that Thai people listen to farmers and are more likely to follow one’s advice if he is from the West. I got the chance to talk about my choice of being vegetarian, the importance of recycling and of producing organic goods. The people were lovely, they asked for some advice on how to improve Thailand. They were curious about how life is in Canada and wanted to know my perspective on Thai people.

Speech in front of farmers

This moment is the best memory I will keep from Thailand; being in touch with the farmers and discussing both of our worlds and world views is something I will never forget.  The next speaker who followed me was a famous farmer. I was surprised to see that she was a woman and works alone on her Thai organic paddy field.

Me and best female farmer

The day ends with people gathering to listen to the monk. The monk talked about his past when he used to be a gambler on Thai chicken fights. He decided to become a monk in Thailand after winning a bet of 40 000 bat. The man who lost killed his chicken with his bare hands in front of him. After seeing this horrible event, he decided to become vegetarian and join the Thai monkhood. He finished his talk with a video on human cruelty. It is the most shocking video I have seen in my life. It showed animals being skinned alive, beaten to death or stabbed. I left before the end as I felt too sensitive to watch more.

Day 2

At 4 AM the speakers around the community blast a speech about the wonders of waking up early. This is to wake up the lay people on time for the chanting that starts at 4:30. Everyone gathered in front of the monk where we all chanted in Thai instead of Pali, the language usually used by Buddhist monks.

Morning Chanting

He then showed us a video on how Santi Asoke started and the controversy that surrounded the movement. People were than welcomed to ask questions about Santi Asoke and the talk finished around 7 AM. The members of the community then started cooking. Breakfast, like all the meals served in the community, was delicious. The cook told me they do not use eggs or milk; the community adopts a vegan diet.

Breakfast in the community

Gyb and I walked around to explore the land. There are a lot of hidden gardens. They also keep the wild plants around the plantations to keep the insects away naturally.

Gardening with farmers

I had the chance to talk to Tono, the main cook. He is 20 year’s old and has been living in the community for 8 years. At a young age he had to leave his family. He found support and a new family by joining the community. He daily cooks for the community but also studies food science at a Thai university. He aspires to improve people’s health and find cures for illness through nutrition. He explained to me that he is allowed to listen to music and read what he wants.

Tono

The community encourages people to do what they love as long as they do good for themselves and others and follow the 5 precepts. Tono enjoys the community life and likes not having to worry about money like most people of his age. Life in the community is anti-materialistic nevertheless, if he wants to buy something he can always talk about it with the other members and they will support him monetarily. He explained to me that everyone can join the community as long as they are good, take part of the daily work and follow he 5 precepts. Everyone in the community strongly believes in the benefits of herbs and natural healing.

Natural herbs in community

The Thailand farmers left in the afternoon as the 2 days seminar was over. The ones that I had the chance to talk to said they enjoyed the experience and will apply what they learned to their way of farming and living.

Day 3

As the farmers left, there is no morning chanting this time. It strikes me how little the community actually is but it is interesting to see how they live when there are no seminars. The people wake up early and each one of them does some chores for the community. Some clean, others take care of the gardens or cook. At 7 AM, Nalinrat, Gyb and I joined the cooks to help prepare the breakfast and clean.

Cooking in the morning

We waited for the monk to do his daily morning walk to get offerings. When he came back, we gave him the best of our cooking and waited for him to eat. We left the community after eating. It is sad to leave the people behind, as they have been really welcoming and warm. I promised to them I will come back one day. Choochat Nasawang gave me a diagram in Thai that he translated into English that shows the essential concepts of Buddhism.

Nalinrat, Gyb and I left for the herb temple where they learn about herbs and their power. The teaching is free and after 2 years and a final exam you can become a doctor specialized in herbs.

Herb Teacher

On our way back to Bueng Kan, we stopped in Nong Khai at a farm. The farm produces gas by using the excrement of cows. The farmers explained to us that it is a governmental project. Farmers can come and learn about the process and if they show a decent plan, they can get the bag that produces the gas for free.

Gaz farm in Nong Khai 2

Unfortunately, the program is not yet well known and not advertised enough. I was surprise to see that the Thai government encourages sustainable and environmental friendly ways to produce energy.

Gaz farm in Nong Khai

Conclusion

My stay as a volunteer and intern in Thailand at Din-Nong-Dan-Nue Community was a once in a lifetime experience. It showed to me an alternative way of living away from consumerism. The community is environmentally friendly and is a proof that working with nature instead of against it can offer a sustainable lifestyle. Moreover, it was fascinating to see how it is possible to survive in our modern world without giving to much importance to money. I also thought that their emphasis on goodness in their teaching had a positive effect on the people. Everyone lives in peace and respects each other. It is perceivable that the community works to bring the best out of its members. Furthermore, community work is emphasized. People put their effort for the common good, which I believe plays a strong part in Din-Nong-Dan-Nue Community’s success.

The people welcome you as one of them and are happy to include you in the daily activities. In spite of some of the bad mouthing against Santi Asoke, the community does not feel like a sect. The people are free; they do not have to obey to a large set of rules and do not worship some kind of guru. Talking to the members made me realize that they are all happy to be part of the community. It is a great place to see Buddhism applied to daily life. Moreover, their promotion of organic farming, reducing waste and composting seemed to me a great steps towards a greener Thailand.

A lot can be learned from this way of living. It was the first time that I heard about traditional Thai healing through herbs. Meeting people who cured themselves by following this practice showed me how much natural healing can be efficient. The Din-Nong-Dan-Nue Community is a great place to discover a off the beaten path Thailand with its unique people and pertinent teachings.

VOLUNTEER STORY

This Thai student is 10 years old. Everyday after volunteering at school we would drive him out to the rice fields, where he works to help support his Thai family. Because of the amount of hard physical work my young Thai friend must do on a daily basis, he is very thin and his clothes reflect his living conditions. His good hearted parents cannot afford to spend money to buy him a new school uniform or even essential school equipment, like a schoolbag.

Volunteer and Students at Thai School

When my friend was very young his parents divorced and he was left behind to live with his mother. His mother at that time was not able to make a living on her own so she remarried. Her new husband did not treat his new step son very well, and eventually the mother had to leave her second husband and send her son to live with his grandmother on a rural Thai farm. Due to their financial situation, his family has a limited amount of time and money they can spend on him and his growing needs.

Good Thai Friends

When I first met my new Thai student he came across as the tough guy at school. The teachers would refer to him as being naughty and often use draconian methods of coercion if his behaviour was “out of line”- which happened often. During school lunchtimes he would run over pebbles, through mud, and climb up trees, all without wearing shoes. To further impress his classmates he would ride a bicycle without the aid of his hands or feet. He could also ride the bicycle while sitting the wrong way around, or even standing the wrong way around!

Students and volunteers in Thailand

One day my young friend spent the entire lunch break in the tree tops. As he was climbing down, to return to class, I comically called him “Ling” (Roughly meaning in Isaan – “Monkey boy”). It turns out he was rather fond of this new nickname and insisted that everyone start calling him by the English name “Monkey boy.” He also became rather fond of me. He started competing with the girls over who could hold my hand, and when school would finish he would always be the last to leave the school. After which he would say, “See you tomorrow!” in perfect English with a massive grin on his face.

Volunteers come to help with Lokgatat and Mundo Exchange’s community aid projects. This particular volunteer, Mara, returned home to raise needed funds for Thai children, such as this young boy. With volunteer assistance in Thai schools and continued contact throughout the years these children realize that they are loved and respected by a large group of people, from both their own country and others. A big and sincere “Thank you!” to all global volunteers where ever you help in this world.

Mara’s Volunteer Story

One of the first friends I made in Isaan was a lovely child, she was very shy, eleven years old, and was in grade 6 in a very poor Thai school. She was very affectionate towards me when I first arrived as a volunteer at the small rural Thai school. Almost everyday she had gifts like flower necklaces, self drawn Hello Kitty’s or Barbie stickers to shower me with. Although not speaking much, she enjoyed being around me and simply holding my hand. I later asked a teacher about the girl’s background and was quite shocked of the brief overview I got.

Volunteer Experience in Thai rural school.

I was told that this young girl’s mother had been sexually assaulted almost a year prior to her birth. Nong’s mother neither had the money to bring up a child nor the will after what she had been through. Her first thoughts were to abort the unborn child as it seemed the easiest solution. To achieve this end, she swallowed several types of medication and washed them down with alcohol. Although the fetus was not harmed, the mother is said to have gone a bit crazy after this occasion. She abandoned her child after she was born and left her to live with her 60 year old Thai grandmother.

During an English class the children were taught to introduce their relatives in English. When it was my young friends’s turn to describe her father, she broke into tears and was not able to speak a word. Everyone apparently knows of her situation but no one seems to know how to talk with her and help her deal with her past. That’s why she is left fatherless, confused and alone. There is a beautiful close-knit community throughout Isaan, it’s just that talking about someone else’s issues is seen as rude – as is bringing up personal issues. Whilst I respect that difference of culture I do stand by my resolve that my young friend should be able to get proper guidance on this matter before she reaches adulthood – Mara

Many children around the world have similar backgrounds as Mara’s friend. As educational and community development volunteers we can show empathy towards these young people and help them see that we care about them greatly through utilising informal and progressive teaching techniques, being open to cultures and problems that we do not understand and listening to the young person try to find the means to reach out to us. Whilst these are great skills to already posses before venturing out into the big wide world of international volunteering we do have short courses where we can supply some useful techniques for success in helping people understand how questioning,  active listening and tolerance as part of our culture induction if need be. An exchange of cultures is just that – an exchange. We keep bias out of our process but equality in our mandate. Everyone learns, if only a little sometimes.

Mundo Exchange director, Joan Williams, has assisted children and adults throughout the world who are experiencing feeling of neglect, abandonment, and post traumatic stress disorders. If you would like to correspond with her and exchange ideas as a mental health specialist or volunteer feel free to contact her at info@mundoexchange.org. We thank our intern and volunteer for writing this story regarding perceived social problems in Thailand.

The child’s name has been changed or omitted to secure their privacy.

Mundo Exchange volunteer Annie with host sister

When I volunteered in Thailand I was able to experience the wonderful life with my home stay family.  Every day I would wake up and get ready for school, and the mother of the house would say, “Good morning!” – one of the few English phrases she learned during my stay.  I would respond, “Sawatdee don chao!” in terrible yet enthusiastic Thai.  We would laugh, and then I would sit down to have breakfast and coffee.  After that I would go off to school, returning at some point in the afternoon.  Our afternoons were never dull.  The mother of my Thai family not only cares for the son of her own son, who works in Bangkok and cannot care for his child during the work week, but she also takes care of some of the other children in the neighborhood in the afternoon while their parents are at work.  This is not an atypical family situation in Thai villages.

Tha Bo Director Khamdee, host mom and teacher and Annie

What made things forever entertaining in my home stay family life was that the members of the family have varying English speaking abilities.  The older sister in my family, Jan, speaks English pretty well and was very willing to help me communicate with everyone else in the family, who did not speak any English at all.  Even though Jan and I did not always understand each other easily, we had so much fun talking and joking together.  I now think of her as a close friend.  However, Jan was only home in the mornings and the evenings.  I would come home from school in the afternoon, and for several hours I would spend time with my home stay family just listening and smiling, unable to really communicate.  But this was a blessing.  Feeling mute in the afternoon spurred me to work hard and study Thai with Mae, the mother of my home stay family.  While I never became very good at the language, these lessons in the afternoon certainly made me closer with Mae.  Sometimes other people from the neighborhood would come to learn English too!  When we all felt we could not learn any more, we would play with Nick, Mae’s grandson, and his friends from the neighborhood.  We would play games, draw, hula hoop, watch cartoons, and eat, eat, eat!

Volunteer Annie and host family

Once Jan and her brother came home from work, we would all sit on the floor and eat a delicious Thai meal together.  The family was incredibly tolerant of my vegetarian diet, and went out of their way to make sure I had plenty of great food to eat.  My love of Mae’s food even drove me to promise to fly her to America if I become rich and help her start a Thai restaurant, so I am crossing my fingers that this promise is realized.  During dinner we would watch Thai soap operas and the news, and just enjoy each other’s company.  My family shared their lives with me so completely, and showed me kindness beyond anything I could have imagined.  Compared to my life in America they did not have much, but they were always so generous to me.  I have never met such good hearted people in my entire life.

Thai Bo Family preparing for Thai cultural ceremony

Everyone I met in Somhoung embraced my desire to learn about Thai culture.  Students came into the English classroom, armed with dictionaries and Thai-English textbooks, to ask about my family and share stories about theirs.  Faculty and staff talked with me at the lunch table and everyone readily explained things when I asked, which was often.  Every night, the older sister of my Thai family would teach me about Thai customs, translate the news for me, teach me about Thai history and the monarchy, and answer any questions I had from the day about Thai ways.  And everyone tolerated my feeble attempts to speak, and subsequent butchering of, the Thai language.  Everyone was always warm, patient, compassionate, and understanding.

In my regrettably brief study of the Thai language so far, I learned that to say “I understand” in Thai, directly translates as something along the lines of “It entered my heart.”  And while I am not sure I truly do understand the people of Somhoung as well as I would like, I understand some, and they all have certainly entered my heart in one way or another.  I now happily reminisce about all the memorable things I have done.  Over the course of a month I have seen three different local Thai schools and have been to four large assemblies, where I was expected to take part but could not understand what was being said or asked of me.  I would imagine I have met around thirty directors of local schools, many of whom, despite their education and professionalism, were giddy and eager to have their picture taken with a farang.  I have received an award that I cannot read and subsequently have no idea what it is for.

I have been to a Thai baby shower, a retirement party, and a funeral.  I have taken many showers from a bucket.  I have killed countless number of bugs, which will most definitely contribute to my being reborn as one – my home stay family is certain.  I have been to five local wats and prayed with my family, as well as helping them prepare for Isaan ceremonies.  I have been asked about my American family life in some unusual ways: whether my mother is fat, whether my brother is married and/or likes Thai women, and many somewhat offensive but certainly hilarious questions about the farang diet.  I have ridden to school on the back of a motorcycle several times, incredibly awkwardly – to the great amusement of the on looking students.  I have publicly spoken in a language I do not know to over three hundred and fifty students and teachers – three times.  I have sang alone to classes so many times that I no longer possess the ability to feel ashamed of my singing voice.  I have been left alone in the English classroom a few times, helpless to say anything but “Ow eeg mai?” – meaning “Again?” – and causing the poor children to have to sing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” five times in a row.

I cannot begin to touch on all of the wonderful, lovely, and hilarious memories I have from my experiences over the past month.  The culmination of it all was a beautiful Isaan traditional ceremony called a “bai sii su kwun” during which the entire school gathered to honor my departure.  Everyone from my school, as well as some other members from the local community, came together and tied strings around my wrists as they wished me good luck on my journey.  The palpable energy I could feel during that time is ineffable, but almost brought me to tears.  These caring, generous, and kind hearted people showed me so much love, and I struggle to articulate my feelings for them.  I treasure all of the time I have spent at Ruammitwitthaya School and living with my Thai family, and will never forget it.  I am now overcome with a painful feeling of homesickness, this time not for America, but for life with my Thai family and the wonderful people of Somhoung.