Love, laughter

and lots to do!

 

 

Where to begin! There are so many things I could say about volunteering at the Home of Charity, part of the Camillian Social Center Chiangrai. And as I looked through the previous volunteers’ articles, I realised that so many of my words have already been spoken. So instead I thought I would summarise my six week experience with my three biggest takeaways.
The kids can bring you back to life…

I went travelling because I wasn’t happy anymore. For a long, long time I would put a massive smile on my face on the outside and feel empty on the inside. Coming here changed that. From the moment you walk into the centre you are surrounded by such an immense amount of love. The children love the care providers and management; Brother Gianni, Father Ning, Sister Cecilia and Jirasak (the man who turns his hand at everything here) love the children; and I have been putty in the kids hands since my very first day. You cannot help but continuously smile and laugh here. And it’s not a fake smile with a dead heart. It’s a real smile, one of those that makes a mark deep down in your soul.

…And you can give so much back in return…

I came here thinking that the only way I could help was to teach English. And I did teach English. I also taught maths, computing, sensory and yoga classes for the first two weeks until we realised that I could put my communications skills from my career to good use also. I helped refresh how they defined their vision, aim and objectives, updated the volunteer job profile for external websites, did lots of lots of translations work (with the help of Google Translate) and wrote and designed the 2012 annual report. Just a few things then!

...But what took my breath away was their generosity

We are here to help. We are not here to take, we are here to give. But in so many ways I found they would always give, give, give to me – and I did protest often! It is a Catholic centre, but I am not sure their religion or their role in their religion is a reason for it. I think they are all just beautiful, kind people. Whether it was taking me to see the White Temple in Chiang Rai, visiting the Golden Triangle in Mae Sai or going on a journey deep into the hills to visit the tribal communities they also support – none of these things they had to do, it’s not part of the volunteer programme, but they willingly offered, and every single experience will remain in my heart.

So those are my three takeaways – the kids can bring you back to life, you can give them so much back in return, but what takes my breath away is their generosity.

Ultimately what makes this such a special volunteer programme is the people. Their personalities, passion and purity melt your heart. So if you think this is the right volunteer opportunity for you, match their passion and give them your best.

Naomi

Naomi Goodman
28 years old, from England
Volunteered Feb-March 2013
naomigoodman1@gmail.com