My name is Teresa, and for nearly three years, I have dedicated my Saturday mornings to volunteering in Klong Toey. While I've always been interested in helping others, I never truly made the commitment.
In 2019, our friend Theo introduced my husband Aymeric and me to the Xaverian community in Klong Toei. Initially, we had no idea what to expect, and we saw it as a trial or a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Since then, it has been a wonderful journey of family engagement, starting with my husband and later joined by our daughter. We enjoyed playing with the kids but also found great fulfillment in visiting the elderly or sick people. We believe that they should not have to face loneliness and that they deserve care and attention from us.
Our daughter Alba has accompanied us for the past year and a half. It's truly beautiful to witness how a toddler doesn't differentiate people based on their circumstances. She sees individuals for who they are, appreciating their unique features and personalities without pity or biased emotions. Her innocence and open-mindedness serve as a reminder to approach others with the same acceptance and understanding.
Being in Klong Toei opened our eyes to the number of impoverished people living in Bangkok and the realities of life on the other side of the city. I met individuals who worked as hotel housekeepers and then returned to the slums to sleep. This experience not only shed light on the challenging circumstances in the slums but also made us more aware of the people we interact with daily, even on the streets. We now understand that we never truly know who someone is, and it is crucial always to consider this.
This volunteering experience taught us two important things:
- To appreciate what we have and to acknowledge the individuals and families who have given us the opportunities we enjoy today. We now understand that our responsibility is to offer these chances to our children and extend that to others who may need it.
- Increase our awareness of the people we interact with daily, at work, and in the street. We never truly know who someone is, and it is crucial to consider this before making assumptions. During one of my visits, I had the opportunity to meet a young woman who caught my attention. She was returning to her humble abode after a long day of work as a housekeeper in a prestigious hotel in Bangkok. It struck me deeply because I realized that she could have been my colleague under different circumstances, working side by side with me.
Father Edgar, Father Alex, Father Erasto, Father Augustin, and all the amazing support they have from Thai volunteers have shown us the power of their faith and their unwavering dedication to welcoming children and volunteers from around the world. They spend their days in the slums, radiating love and compassion through their belief in God.
Overall, my volunteering journey in Klong Toey has been transformative for me and my family. It has instilled in us a deep sense of gratitude, a commitment to giving back, and a profound understanding of the value of human connection.
