Support Panida Volunteer NVC Family Camp, Seattle, Washington

Hello all.

My name is Panida Thongsui. I was volunteering in the first NVC family camp in Chiangmai, January 2018. In this post, I would love to express how much value I have received from NVC and so would love to raise some donation to be able to be present at the family camp 2018 in Seattle, Washington, USA this coming July. This opportunity is really important for me as my dream is to have a family camp for Thai people one day in the future.

I am a 24-years-old Thai. After graduated from Chiangmai University in May 2017, I began to work with Echo and Eric who hosted the family camp in Chiangmai. Working with them was really interesting as I was able to experience NVC principles and practices everyday.

During the camp, I was able to see many beautiful things happened. Staffs were really loving and supportive and I was so glad that NVC camp creates the space for everyone to share, to love, to support, to practice and to give. Kids were definitely happy among beautiful and natural surroundings. The space created for them to be free and to be themselves was incredibly powerful. Few couples told me during the camp that they never see their children this happy and free. For me this is really touching because parents recognize kid’s needs is a significant example of what they have received from the camp. Realizing each other needs and feelings was what missing in many families these days which cause so much troubles and issues that why the camp was really successful in addressing these.

The reason why NVC has a big impact on me is because of my childhood experience. I grew up with my single dad and my younger brother. My parents separated since I was 10 years old. Witnessing mom and dad fighting physically was absolutely painful. My mom remarried having another kid. Years later, my brother chose drug since he was 14 years old to avoid mental sufferings. My dad is always quiet and most of the time we have very shallow conversation. He worked harder and drank more and when alcohol was in his blood, he just changed and that was when my anger grew bigger. Traumas, frustration and inability to communicate my needs and feelings affected my health since very young age. My dad remarried and the fights began again this time for 6 years. After they ended their relationship, I kept every negative feelings and emotions inside and blamed my parents for everything in life and home doesn’t feel like home anymore.

Healing myself from this painful childhood experience has been very challenging but what I learnt is is that communication is the most powerful tool to fix this problem. I am very sure there many families out there are facing this difficulty in communication. Many don’t know what can they do to really hear and really the other person’s needs and feelings. Many find it is hard to express love and empathy especially people in my country where our culture is not open to self-expression and the way to show love, warmth and empathy is limited. When I participated the family camp, I found all what have fixed me there too. It is all about care, empathy, love, warmth, joy, connection, empowerment and support. And since it takes a very short time to experience all, NVC can do very much to serve people. NVC is not about improving communication alone. It is more. It enriches the hearts of everyone who participates and all beyond that it deeply builds the connection between people. Unless the camp was made to happen, I could never imagine how NVC has such an impact on me for the past couple months since the preparation of the camp began until the end.

Experiencing the camp and all the good I have mentioned, I’m very sure NVC can help many families in my country to overcome their hardships. Numbers of Thai kids need this space to be free and to be allowed to express themselves just like any other kids in other family camps. I have a dream that one day I will have family camps for Thai people and to work with those who create space for many to grow.

Participating the family camp in Vashon Island with Barbara and Doug will be one of my best opportunities to grow and to learn more about the camp process for the future plan. The fund will finally cover my visa application and the flight tickets from Chiangmai to Seattle, USA. Any of you who donate some of your money will be the great support of my personal growth and of those who in the future can receive the benefits. The investment will grow beautifully the way it is meant to be.

Thank you very much. I am so much appreciate all of your help and support.

Panida Thongsui

9/5/2018 @Chiangmai, Thailand