Seeds of hope

GRADUATE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME: Young graduates can learn about social and rural problems and be part of the solution by having a stint as development volunteers

BUSSARAWAN TEERAWICHITCHAINAN

Wandee Santivuthimaetee earned a prestigious degree in journalism. But at Ban Saw-O, a small Karen village near the Thai-Burmese border, the young woman found a whole new world of learning.

It was Thammasat University's Graduate Volunteer Programme that gave her the chance.

Wandee joined the programme soon after her graduation in 1995. After spending seven months as a Thammasat graduate volunteer in the highland province of Tak, she said she had a better understanding of the reality of rural life. "In the past, a rustic life in my perception was romanticised, beautifully painted with green pastures and naive villagers," revealed the 24-year-old who was raised in a middle-class Bangkok family.

Up in the hilltribe village, however, the new graduate witnessed the misery brought upon the rural folks in the name of industrialisation and economic growth. She has also come to realise that rural development is not about the powers-that-be patronising small people. But it's about giving rural people respect and treating them as equal human beings.

"Now I see rural villagers as real people. This helps me a lot in my current writing career as I can have empathy for the less privileged," said Wandee, now a writer for Sarakhadee, a popular Thai-language feature magazine.

Wandee is among the seeds of hope Thammasat University has endeavoured to plant in the arid ground of Thai society, where only a handful of educated people have a full understanding of rural communities and their complicated problems.

"Rural villagers account for over 65 percent of Thailand's total population. But city people who have the most benefits and the loudest voices in the country's development can rarely relate to their plight and struggles," noted Asst Prof Supparat Rattanamuk of Thammasat University.

Consequently, upcountry people usually end up being exploited and oppressed. "Lack of proper information among the well-educated in the cities has been a major reason why many of them are apathetic about the problems of the underprivileged in rural areas," said the lecturer.

Having pinpointed the problem, therefore, Prof Dr Puay Ungpakorn set up the Graduate Volunteer Programme in 1969. The pioneering project was aimed at cultivating a better understanding among university graduates of rural people and rural development,

The former Thammasat rector started the idea of sending young people to live in rural communities after their graduation. The first-hand experience, he strongly believed, would make them able to empathise with the plight of the rural poor.

But Dr Puay did not have a grand scheme. He did not expect graduate volunteers to change the world or improve the livelihood of rural villagers during their short stay.

"With better understanding, the younger generation would have more awareness and concern for their less fortunate compatriots and their problems. This makes sustainable development possible," Supparat said echoing Dr Puay's objectives.

CAREERS IN SOCIAL WORK

For nearly three decades, over 700 graduates have joined the volunteer programme. Many of them are still engaged in social work. Meanwhile, several have been recognised for their devotion to the rural poor and the underprivileged.

Among them are Khunying Supatra Masdit, the only female minister in the Chuan cabinet; Tuenjai Deetes, an award-winning social activist in the North; Siriporn Skrobanek, a prominent feminist. "To become a Thammasat volunteer, you may graduate from any fields of study at any university. Past experience in social work is not necessary," explained Asst Prof Wanchai Thanawangnoi, Director of the Graduate Volunteer Centre.

"What is much more important is a big heart to help and a strong will to learn," he added.

After a written test and an interview to examine candidates' attitudes towards social problems, around 30 applicants enter each year's programme.

No tuition fee is charged for the one-year course. Instead, Thammasat University gives each volunteer a living allowance of 4,000 baht a month.

Before venturing into rural areas, volunteers are prepared with a framework of social sciences and development theories at the university's Rangsit campus for three months.

"They take courses like applied psychology, rural sociology and research methodology. Then they have to pass some examinations. But the biggest test is the seven months living in rural communities," said the director.

Each volunteer has to live separately from their classmates in a village to which they are assigned by the Graduate Volunteer Centre. They stay with a local host family and participate in daily activities as if they are a community member. Their work ranges from household chores to farming.

"I've learned a lot from these villagers. Their wisdom is amazing," said Samroeng Chueychuenjit, a graduate volunteer from Chiang Mai's Maejo University who is now working in Ban Nong Meg in Kalasin province.

Like several of his peers, living in Ban Nong Meg has given Samroeng a clearer picture of rural society and its complex problems.

On a personal level, many graduate volunteers have found themselves developing, emotionally and mentally, for the better.

As a city kid raised in a well-to-do family, Wandee Santivuthimaetee was used to being pampered by her parents and servants. However, as a volunteer living in Ban Saw-O in Tak province, she learned to take care of herself throughout seven months.

"Life there was tough. But I saw myself grow," she said.

In order to get along with the villagers, volunteers have to adapt themselves in many ways, from eating habits to communication methods. Several find the process very difficult, while some even want to leave the communities, said Supparat, a lecturer at the Graduate Volunteer Centre.

Wandee, for example, said there were many times when she felt discouraged and disappointed. The village she stayed in, Ban Saw-O, is one of many currently going through a critical transition since development arrived in the form of roads, electricity and tap water.

"At first, I asked myself what I was going to do there. They were okay and they didn't need me," she recalled.

With an open heart, though, she accepted whatever happened, good or bad, as lessons. Finally, she could overcome her confusion.

For the young city woman, the language barrier was among the early obstacles she encountered during her stay in the Karen community. Many adult villagers could not understand Thai.

However, she later turned the verbal hindrance into a way to approach her rural neighbours.

"I always asked people to teach me the Karen language and show me how to say this or that. Every one of them was eager to be my teacher. In this way I could easily become acquainted with villagers of all ages," revealed Wandee.

WORKING WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Apart from the villagers, graduate volunteers also have to work with local government officials to make their projects successful.

Each volunteer enters their host community with one small development project to work on. For example, it could be about soil improvement, non-formal education or nutrition.

"We don't emphasis results. More meaningful to us is how they conduct the project and what they learn from it," said Wanchai, director of the Graduate Volunteer Centre.

Take Samroeng, a graduate volunteer in Ban Nong Meg, Kalasin province. In the past five months of his stay in the village, he did not receive much cooperation from local officials. "At first, I felt disappointed with the bureaucracy and their top-down approach. But I won't give up pushing to help the villagers get a non-formal education unit in their village," the young man said.

Currently, there are two months left for Samroeng to complete his project in the Isan village. Whether he succeeds or not, countless lessons have been learned by him, and many other volunteers before him over the years.

For a graduate volunteer, disappointment, failure and other ordeals refine and empower them as a person, like fire does to gold.

Unfortunately, however, in recent years, there are not many young people like Samroeng or Wandee who care enough to devote one year after graduation to a good cause. Harbouring the get-rich-quick ideology, most of them are too busy job-hopping to care for the plight of the poor.

"My friends told me I'm too idealistic. During one year as a volunteer, they said, I lost the chance to earn over 100,000 baht. Yes, I agree. But even with such a large sum of money, I could never buy the valuable experience and friendship I received in Ban Saw-O," Wandee explained.

Several veteran social workers agreed that the spirit of volunteering among the younger generation dramatically decreased during the economic boom.

"It doesn't mean that these days young people are more selfish than those in the past. But the mainstream social trend which emphasises career and material success has forced them to care more about themselves than others," said Dej Poomkacha, former graduate volunteer and director of Thai Volunteer Service.

The recent economic downturn, many expect, will mark another transition to increased volunteer work in Thailand.

This coming March, there will be approximately 100,000 new graduates across the country, according to the Labour Ministry. Many of them will be jobless. This year, the number of unemployed will be 1.3 million compared to 1.16 million last year.

Will the Graduate Volunteer Programme be a possible solution for the expected massive unemployment? Can our society nurture more agents of change by investing in this kind of programme?

The ground of Thai society seems parched; the programme has long been bypassed and its budget cut back following austerity plans.

The seeds of social conscience of Wandee and other young volunteers have been planted. But many more are needed to replenish the land so that justice can grow more easily.

"I hope the urban middle class who are the hardest hit in the economic crunch would review their position and duty in society," said social activist Dej Poomkacha. "This is a chance to learn that money is not everything in life."

Anyone interested in joining or support the Graduate Volunteer Programme can contact the Graduate Volunteer Centre located on the sixth floor of the Anek Prasong Building, Thammasat University, Tha Phra Chan campus, Bangkok 10200. Tel: 221-6004 or 221-6111-20 ext 3604. Fax: 221-0148. Please note that the programme's application forms priced at 150 baht per set are available now at the centre until April 10.

Apart from the one-year programme, volunteers can extend their stay in a village for another year to complete their project and become more skilful in rural development. In the second year, their projects will be supported financially by interested business sectors. "We Care" is a weekly series honouring people who believe in giving. You can show you care by supporting the projects featured here each week. You can also let us know about people who selflessly help others so we can honour them in these pages. Fax "We Care" on 240-3666, or call 240-3700 ext 3208 or 3212.

The Thai Volunteer Service (TVS) is another organisation taking an important part in recruiting volunteers for worthwhile projects in Thai society. Established in 1980 by a group of Thai activists, the TVS programme lasts two years and emphasises on-the-job training. Each year, TVS recruits around 30 volunteers through written tests and interviews. Volunteers can select the field in which they want to work, ranging from rural development, children, women, Aids to slum development. Then they are sent to work with related NGOs in Bangkok or upcountry. During the two-year programme, a series of seminars and workshops is organised by TVS to follow-up the volunteers' progress and give them more information about social work. Each volunteer earns approximately 5,000 to 6,000 baht a month to cover living expenses. Most of the TVS budget comes from foreign funds. Anyone interested in joining TVS can contact them at 409 Soi Rohitsuk, Pracha Rat Bamphen Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 1020. Tel: 691-0437-8. Fax: 691-0438. Please note that TVS is now accepting candidates for this year's volunteer programme. Application deadline is March 13.