Giving Back to Society

From easing the water woes of Nan to restoring traditional homes and temples, Chula Samakkee volunteers make their mark across the country

When one has earned an education with the help of taxpayers’ money, one often hears a question: How you are going to repay society?

Many are still looking for the right answers, but for Rattikarn Taja, her answer is clear: “I build dikes in Nan province,” she says simply.

Like thousands of graduates from Chulalongkorn University each year, Ms Rattikarn has acquired knowledge and skills from the prestigious university that operates with public funds.

Feeling indebted to society, the agricultural resources researcher has joined the Chula Samakkee Project as a volunteer to build dikes at Baan Pee Nua in Ban Luang District of Nan, the province where she was born. In the past few years, this northern province has faced drought in the dry season. Access to clean water was much needed not only for local consumption, but also for farming.

Together with other volunteers, Ms Rattikarn has constructed more than 15 dikes for Baan Pee Nua. “As a Nan native, I am so grateful for what the project volunteers have done to serve the needs of my community. With the dikes now installed, the villagers do not have to suffer from a lack of water in the dry season anymore,” she says triumphantly.

Not only has project given her an opportunity to pay back to society, but it also has broadened her personal and professional network. Meeting new friends from different faculties, learning new experiences, especially through volunteer work, are worthwhile rewards for her sweat and dedication.

Founded in 2018, the Chula Samakkee project is a joint effort between the university and its alumni. With a commitment to support and reinforce society, the project drew its inspiration from the university’s royal founder, King Chulalongkorn, who once said: “Unity brings happiness to all.”

Indeed, unity is the key message of the project as it focuses on strengthening bonding between the young and older generations among the alumni, while maximizing the impact of different fields of expertise through public contribution missions, according to Chotehiran Piamsomboon, a Class 63 alumnus from the Faculty of Sciences and a long-time volunteer.

Each task undertaken by the project does not have to be grand in scale, he says. Nor does it have to yield huge benefits. The essence of these small-scale missions is that they have to serve people in small communities. “so that they don’t feel being left behind”, Mr Chotehiran explains.

Among his public endeavors was a forest plantation and a landscape design for Wat Yansangwararam in Chon Buri province, where it has become a major Buddhist cultural heritage destination.

“As I have networks across the country from my years-long experiences of volunteering, I can evaluate what are the different needs for different communities,” says Mr Chotehiran.

“Thus, I would like to invite all alumni to participate in this volunteer project, so that we can expand our mission to cover all areas. But if your time or health does not permit your physical participation, you can support the project by making a contribution, or by giving advice according to your expertise.”

Sarayuth Sasuk, Assistant to President for Student Development and Alumni Relations, finds it remarkable that so many older alumni have chosen to embark on volunteer missions together with current students, faculty members and staff. “It is quite extraordinary that we all could make something different for the society together,” he says with enthusiasm.

The Chula Samakkee Project has initiated several ongoing projects. among them:

Environmental Development for Quality of Life: Constructing prototype houses and restoring native-style homes at the Baan Pongluek community in Kaeng Krachan District of Phetchaburi Province; building bamboo homes for Karen communities being relocated from Kaeng Krachan National Park, while promoting tourism at the Pakakayor Karen community; engaging in community development programs in Bangkok at Wat Kudeejeen, around Siam Square and within Chulalongkorn University, among others.

Supporting Education and Schools: Constructing a multi-purpose building for Baan Bor-ong in Thong Pha Phum district in Kanchanaburi; initiating the Rang Tien camp for students of Chiang Klang School in Nan province; distributing educational information for high school students nationwide.

Supporting Religion and Artistic and Cultural Preservation: Conducting an initial survey for a restoration project at Wat Yansangwararam in Chon Buri; supporting a mass ordination project called Nekkamma Ordination.

Between August and December, the Chula Samakkee Project has initiated and extended several projects to be carried out in provincial communities. Other new projects include dog and cat vaccination and tree planting, in both Saraburi and Nan provinces.

“By participating in these voluntary projects, many of our volunteers have ignited a passion to devote themselves to public contribution,” says Mr Sarayut. “I am certain that the fire of their passion will continue to glow for the rest of their lives.”

Ultimately, it is “happiness for all”, indeed.

For more information, please visit https://sd.sa.chula.ac.th/

This article was originally published in CU Around August 2019, Vol.62, Issue 8, Page 6, available at https://www.chula.ac.th/magazine/21661/