I worked at the Camillian Social Center from September to November 2022 and I was their first volunteer since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Volunteering at the Camillian Social Center for nearly two months was true bliss. Located in a small village in the beautiful Northern Thailand, it is a unique opportunity to discover the local hill tribe culture and to be part of a wonderful and loving community.

My work at the Home of Charity (the section of the Camillian Social Center that looks after children with disabilities) was quite straightforward but also very diverse. As an English teacher I mostly taught English classes to the older children with disabilities during their regular classes and taught English songs and games to all the children at the Home of Charity. As I also like art and painting, Sister Cecilia suggested I taught art therapy classes to the children. All the teaching part was very rewarding, even though the academic progress of the children can be slow at times, they really enjoyed it and the way their laughed, smiled and took part in the classes, no matter their own abilities, was just the best reward I could get as a teacher. Although the overall level of oral communication of the children (in English and in their native languages) is not always very high, they always had a clear way to communicate their needs and feelings, and they often asked me to teach them more English or practice some songs or games together. Future volunteers should really not worry about the language gap to decide whether to work at the Home of Charity or not. Besides some of the staff can speak very good English and will be available to translate if necessary.

The work at the Home of Charity is well organised and the center is overall really well managed, mostly thanks to Sister Cecilia and Jirasak but also thanks to a very professional and committed team of administrative staff, carers, support staff and teachers. I am extremely touched and grateful for the amazingly warm welcome I received from everyone at the Camillian Social Center from the children, the staff, the Fathers, Brothers and Sisters and people in the surrounding villages. I just became part of the place the minute I started to volunteer, and this is very precious and rare.  Everyday, people wanted to make sure I was comfortable with my accommodation, food and work. I felt I was part of a unique place where humanity, joy and kindness prevail.

My experience at the Camillian Social Center was very fulfilling in terms of human relationships especially with the children with disabilities with whom I felt totally privileged to share their daily life. As a non-specialist in children with special needs, this experience has been a real eye opener on their struggles of course, but also on the fact that we can all be happy and receive and give a lot of love no matter what our social or physical conditions. I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to spend two months in a village of Northern Thailand where the culture is really unique, I was able to discover and learn more about hill tribes’ culture and people. I have travelled quite a lot in my life and have lived and worked (often as a volunteer) in several countries and my best recommendation to everyone who has a bit of free time is to get involved in a volunteer project. This is by far the best way to live and understand a country and a culture from within. You often don’t need specific skills to volunteer; you only need an open mind, a positive attitude and a desire to learn a lot and to give a little. The daily reward and the smiles you can get from the people you are helping are just priceless.

If you want to know more about my experience at the Camillian Social Center in Chiang Rai and get some practical tips, please do not hesitate to contact me by email.