1 month in an organic farm in Thailand

Hello, my name is Coralie. I’m 22 years old and I come from Belgium.

I don’t know how to start because there are many things to say: I lived during one month an incredible experience!

Working in the farm:

I worked in an organic farm with another volunteer from Thailand, Am.

Each day, we start by feeding animals (pigs, chicken and goes). We cook rice and banana trees for them. Then, we move the cows that stay outside all day long.

After, we do different kind of work like taking care of the plants in the nursery, preparing soils and fertilizer, planting trees, etc.

I really enjoyed working in the farm with the dad because the work was varied and it was fun. Thanks to my host dad, I learnt a lot of things about organic farming, how to growth plants and trees and about the different kinds of trees, plants, vegetables and fruits growing in Thailand. It was interesting to discover the organization, the managing of the farm and to experiment it.

The farm is very diversified: animals, fish, plants and trees. They try to be the most autonomous and independent as possible.

The place was so beautiful, peaceful and surrounded by trees and nature. It looks like a little paradise…

Each day was different and brought me new discoveries

My host family

But beyond the work in the farm, there is the human experience.

I lived in the farm with Am, the other volunteer and my host family: the mum, dad and one son.

Thanks to them, I felt like home and I was a member of their family. They were so nice, kind, generous and want to share with me a lot of things. They took the time to learn and explain me the Thai culture and their way of living.

Thus, by living, sharing and exchanging with them, I discovered and experienced many things about the Thai culture: I lived Thai life.

I spent so many good moments with them: jokes, smiles, laughs, sharing… I felt very close to them.

I learnt to cook with the mum each day. She loves cooking and she taught me Thai recipes that I will try to cook in Belgium… Thai food is so delicious and they have a lot of tasty fruits …

She also taught me to make soap, shower gel and detergent. In fact, that’s easy!

Activities outside

When my family went outside, I always went with them to participate to some activities. For example, going to the local market and going shopping, meeting their friends, participating in the “Agriculture Day” or the “Rubber Festival in the evening, attending in a Buddhist ceremony,…

I also joined my host mum when she did some workshops to teach to the women to make by themselves soap, shower gel, detergent,…

Some days, I did some activities with other volunteers like going to a blind school or a kindergarten school.

With these activities, I learned more about Thai culture and I met a lot of people. It was really enriching and interesting.

In conclusion, I lived an amazing experience full of discoveries, exchanges, sharing and meetings. It was first a beautiful HUMAN experience and an overview of Thailand and its culture. For me, it’s the best way to discover from the inside a country!

I came back to Belgium with stars in my eyes and full of memories.

My host family and my experience in Thailand gonna be always in my heart.

I’m so thankful to VSA association and my host family for allowing me to live this dream.