Before Valentine's Day: Volunteer camp at Ucha School, Sombhong Subdistrict, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province.


Organized by: Twenty-four point seven (24.7)

Activity date: February 9-13, 2017

"More than just a journey, it's a journey for others. More than just meeting new friends, it's gaining true friendships."

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Let's watch the overview video first.

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Link to YouTube video


Many people may have heard the term #VolunteerTeacherOnMountain, but few have had the opportunity to experience what it is like.

Beyond teaching, there are other activities such as cooking, bricklaying, plastering, and motorcycle riding up mountains for several kilometers.

Is it really necessary to go to such extremes?

Do you remember the loudest laughter and the most unabashed tears you've ever experienced? When was the last time you felt that way?


As we grow older, such feelings tend to be suppressed, hidden away as much as possible. Look at these children.

The innocent, pure eyes of a child, like a blank canvas waiting to be painted by the adults around them. If children in the city...

Contributing to their development wouldn't be difficult, but the children at Ua'e still lack many things, things that we have.

Meanwhile, children possess qualities that we lack. Today, we all contribute to complementing each other.

We departed from Bangkok around 9 pm and made several stops along the way. We arrived at the Amnat Charoen Non-Formal Education Center (Amnat Charoen NFE Center) around 11 am. We, along with the volunteer group, met with the Director of the Amnat Charoen NFE Center and Ms. Nam, a teacher at U-Chae School. We then listened to a presentation about the history of Amnat Charoen District, which has over 112 schools in remote areas. Many of these schools are still in need of assistance from volunteers.

The donated items were then loaded onto off-road vehicles, as the school was only accessible by off-road vehicles. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our friends from all over the country who donated these items to the children. We apologize if we are unable to mention all of your names, but we are truly grateful for your support.

Upon entering the space, it became clear that the initial impression was insufficient. The level of professionalism was evident from the initial contact and coordination efforts.


The remoteness of the area makes postal delivery impossible. Social media is also unreliable, making communication extremely challenging.

We can only collaborate with teachers on that platform by physically traveling there. This unique journey will take place before the special event.

The first day of our journey left us battered and bruised. The 58-kilometer uphill climb took almost 5 hours. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, but also incredibly treacherous. Ordinary vehicles would have been out of the question; even true off-road vehicles struggled. By the time we reached our destination, we felt like bowing down and kissing the tires.


Nestled amidst the mountains, a small village thrives with a dedicated teacher, smiling villagers, adorable children, and abundant nature. Despite lacking electricity, phone signals, convenience stores, shopping malls, and even basic snacks, this community embodies the simple life that many yearn for.

The initial purpose of this trip was to bring smiles to the children, but in the end, we were the ones who were truly filled with joy.

The dilapidated wooden building, barely large enough to accommodate the students, stood as a testament to years of neglect. Its faded paint and crumbling structure hinted at a chronic lack of funding. "We make do with what we have," Ms. Nam, our teacher, had said upon our arrival, her words echoing the building's forlorn state.

Over 140 individuals, ranging in age from 16 to late 50s, from diverse backgrounds and professions, including teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, flight attendants, salespeople, tour guides, designers, and more, united by a shared ideology, are about to experience the true meaning of #volunteering as teachers.

After the event, everyone dispersed to find a place to sleep. Some slept in the school buildings, some slept in tents, and some slept in the homes of local villagers. However, there were restrictions on where people could sleep. Some houses would only accept men, while others would only accept women. Couples who were volunteers could not sleep in the homes of villagers and had to sleep in the school buildings due to a local custom that prohibits physical contact between unmarried couples.

After sorting through the donated items, we took turns showering and preparing for the evening's campfire activities. We introduced ourselves to the volunteers and explained the tasks for the following day. The first night was relatively quiet, as many people were tired from the journey and went to bed early to prepare for the busy day ahead.

PART : Activity


After a full night's rest, we woke up to a delicious breakfast prepared by the dedicated welfare team. They had sacrificed their sleep, waking up at 5 am to cook for us. The food was so good, it was even better than what we usually eat in our dorms, where instant noodles are the norm.

At 8:00 a.m., friends also paid their respects to the national flag in the morning with the sun. It was an atmosphere and activity that had not been done for a very long time. I remember the last time this happened was probably in high school.

Following the initial preparations, the team divided into groups based on their assigned tasks. One group mixed and poured concrete, while another group sorted and broke down large rocks. These rocks, sourced from a nearby mountain, were used as a foundation for the concrete. The team also split bamboo to be used as reinforcement instead of steel. Local villagers provided additional support, assisting with construction and teaching children in separate groups. Additionally, recreational activities were organized for the children.

Painting activity: Each friend received a paintbrush, and we stood in a line, painting with joy. The color we used was purple, which initially confused us. Later, we learned that it was because purple is the color associated with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

PART : Welfare


This task requires three words to describe this team: "Good, Real, Real." Haha, throughout the camp, they were basically living in the kitchen, as they had to cook for their friends for all three meals, feeding over 140 people. They had to cook in large quantities and it took a long time to prepare the food. Therefore, they had to wake up early to prepare the food. As soon as breakfast was finished, they had to start preparing lunch. They were in the kitchen until their hands were numb. We often peeked into the kitchen because we could hear their laughter, and we couldn't help but go and see.

Despite their diverse backgrounds, genders, and ages, the participants were able to collaborate effectively and achieve remarkable results. Special thanks to the kitchen team for their invaluable contributions. We look forward to seeing you all again at the next camp!

PART : Recreation


The recreation team was truly outstanding, entertaining the campers and children with laughter throughout the day. The camp's atmosphere was relaxed, and the campfire activities were exceptional, reminiscent of a Boy Scout camp. Observing the campers and children having fun during these activities brought a smile to our faces. All 14 groups, divided according to their van assignments, prepared campfire performances that elicited laughter and tears. Some groups presented heartwarming performances, while others brought humor.

Amidst the frigid ambiance of the night, the encompassing mountains stood tall, bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon. The twinkling stars adorned the celestial canvas, while the melodious strains of a guitar and singing voices filled the air. It was a scene of unparalleled beauty and tranquility, leaving us in awe of its sheer perfection.


We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all parties involved for their contributions to the successful completion of the camp.

PART : Volunteer Medical Team


Thank you to the volunteer medical team and nurses who took care of our friends at the camp, checked the children's health, and taught them how to brush their teeth and wash their hands. Thank you very much!

PART : Thank you to the van and off-road team.


Before returning, we donated a total of 60,346 baht to the school. The funds were collected from volunteers across the country (Thai Guide Team, volunteers who were unable to join the trip, Ming Airholtes, MBA Ramkhamhaeng Sukhothai Campus Class 18, Prasitsamrit family, Thirayu Limwattana, Chusri + Sriratana family, 24.7 staff team, Boon Green peace, and other friends whose names we may have missed. Please let us know if we have missed anyone). We also donated a laptop computer for educational purposes to support the construction of a new school building and improve the school for Khru Nam, a teacher with great ideals.

Beyond traveling, it's about traveling for others. Beyond meeting new friends, it's about gaining true friendships. ^^

See you at the camp in front of "Mae La Noi, Mae Hong Son Province" on February 24-26, 2017.



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