Thailand - My Memorable Holiday

In August 2016, I took a small step toward making my wish come true. I went to my first volunteering experience and how it all happened feels like a dream. I just came back from my holiday this year and but this one was the most memorable one, that I wish to recollect and re-live it. I went to 'Chiang Rai', a pleasant city on the northern side of Thailand. Since my daughter wanted to join me in this experience, I decided to make the trip more interesting. I wanted her to realise the value of life and experience the sense of gratitude for this life. I believe, money can give you short-term pleasure and thrill, while an act of service gives you the ultimate sense of satisfaction and achievement. One must do it to experience it. So, I wanted her to experience this so, I told her that, she will live the life of luxury for the first 5 days followed by two weeks of living the most basic life while being able to carry out service for others. She agreed.

We started our trip in a First Class cabin in Boeing 777 aircraft. We had a chef who offered to make what we want to eat. The journey was plush and comfortable, thanks to Etihad Airways for our wonderful flying experience. We enjoyed our stay in Bangkok, the perfect destination which met all needs starting from wonderful places to visit, authentic Thai cuisine and relaxing spas.  We loved our visit to the magnificent Golden Buddha temple, the unique floating market, the historic Golden Triangle and the spectacular Siam Niramat show depicting their culture in a colorful performance.

On day 5 we took our flight to Chaing Rai for our two-week volunteering experience. At the airport, we were received by the representative from, The Mirror Foundation, affiliated to International Volunteering Head Quarters (IVHQ). Our experience started with joining other volunteers arriving from different parts of the world. We buckled up in a tempo traveling through the city and then onto muddy roads that stretch into the outskirts to reach our accommodation.

Honesty Store

The Kitchen

Our Prep Room

Our Accommodation

We were received by nice friendly people who show us through our dormitories, the common dining area, cleaning area, honesty store, followed by instructions on our stay and volunteering. The instructions were fairly simple. We need to keep our place clean, share the responsibility with other volunteers to keep the common area including the toilets clean, clean our dishes and most importantly prepare our daily lessons and teach in schools/college in the neighborhood.
 

Our daily schedule was quite simple. The schools and classes each one were assigned to was put up on a notice board that is updated every week. Once we know our schedule of classes and grades we teach each day, we just log in to the system and check out the syllabus and prepare for classes. Based on the learning outcomes to be achieved we put together the learning materials including, quiz, display board, charts, flashcards as needed. This would include, preparing some learning material if it's not already available. Each day, we take our classes in different schools for different grades as planned. In the evening, the day would finish after updating in the system on how we conducted the class, what materials were used, how the students performed and whether the learning outcomes were met.

The last week of our volunteering was at Phayao College of Agriculture and Technology. We worked alongside the lecturers to deliver an English Speaking Camp for college students. The learning outcome was to help students to communicate in English. The enthusiasm of the students and teachers got us fully involved and made it a grand success. We built scenarios around how easy or difficult negotiations can be in simple interactions like, calling and booking for air tickets/ hotel reservations and making changes to bookings. We also got some role play on job interviews.

My takeaway from this experience was the holistic learning experience the schools and the college offered. Student involved themselves in the day-to-day chores starting from cleaning to cooking. And, we saw that the education system allowed special need children to be part of the mainstream. The country also showed no gender disparity as male, female and transgender were treated equally and studied together helping each other and taking caring of each other. 

It was the most amazing holiday and what made it special was the volunteering experience. To top it all, my daughter who was accepted to be part of our team to conduct the workshop for college students and was honored with a certificate for volunteering. At the age of 14, she received the certificate as 'English Lecturer' and that too, on her birthday, amid over 100 college students participating in the workshop. The best birthday gift that we cherish to date.

It was the most fulfilling holiday experience and look forward to the next opportunity to volunteer. Now, the next time you plan your holiday, do consider adding a service action to it and experience for yourself the sense of fulfillment. I can assure you that, you will call it the most memorable holiday like me.