Somchit Nongbo
The journey in volunteering
Sabaidee, my name is Somchit’s Nongbo. I volunteered with Huam Jai Asasamak Association (HJA) for 12 months. Before become a volunteer, I was a recent graduate with a degree on Lao Language and Literature. While my studies weren’t directly related to community development, I have a strong passion for contributing to the community. This is why I decided to pursue volunteer work at the beginning of my journey. During my volunteer experience, I had several key responsibilities. These include: community facilitator alongside my team, providing translation support for the team during interactions with local ethic communities, serving as a general office assistant, offering support to the team in various tasks. Through my volunteer work, I also gained valuable skills in several areas, including teamwork (I learned how to collaborate effectively with others towards a common goal), teamwork process (I developed an understanding of efficient teamwork process, and computer skills (I honed my computer skills through various office tasks.
Volunteering has provided me with a platform to gain valuable experiences in community development. These include participating in a nutrition workshop in Malaysia, sharing insights on the drug problem in the Mekong region at a conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The knowledge and skills I gained from these experiences have been instrumental in my work within communities, society, and even my family. This includes fostering teamwork and outreach efforts. “My volunteer experiences solidified my belief in lifelong learning. It goes beyond just my field of study and equips me with new skills and knowledge, fostering personal and professional growth. Participating in diverse activities across various locations has undoubtedly accelerated my development”. Currently, I’m putting my learning into practices by working in the community development at Namjai Community Association (NCA).
