International students enrolled in Chulalongkorn University’s BAScii Program got their immersive experience in Thailand when they joined a group of volunteers at Mae Chan Tai village in Chiang Rai province. Organized by the Japan based Non-Profit Organization (NPO) GIAPSA (General Incorporated Association for the Promotion of Self-Reliance in Asia), five students now narrate their experience.

Introduction
by Atamfon Udofia (Nigeria) – Year 1 student

During the last quarter of last year, I was given the chance to participate in a volunteer trip to Mae Chan Tai village along with four other students from the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII). The full team of 26 volunteers was eager to contribute to the community and learn more about the coffee production process. The briefing outlined the objectives of the trip, which included witnessing the coffee production process from start to finish, identifying areas for improvement in coffee production and the supply chain, networking with local residents, and experiencing the life of the hill tribe inhabitants.

I was looking forward to connecting with new people, learning about their culture, and experiencing life in a remote mountain community. This trip was an incredible experience that allowed me to gain new perspectives, make new friends, and contribute to a meaningful cause.

Participants and Organizers

by Koki Ogura (Japan) – Year 3 student

The main organization of this trip was done by the Japan-based Non-Profit Organization (NPO) GIAPSA (General Incorporated Association for the Promotion of Self-Reliance in Asia. The organizer was Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma, former professor at Meiji university, Japan and a visiting professor at Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand and currently a Founder/Executive Director of GIAPSA. Other participants on the trip were mostly Japanese citizens working in Thailand, including several staff members from the Akhamaechantai coffee shop. All of the participants had various backgrounds and occupations, including lawyers, yoga instructors, Japanese language teachers, university professors, illustrators, shopping center managers, company employees, NHK journalists, and more. The total number of volunteers joining the trip was 30, including five students from the BAScii Program, Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII).

Overview of the Village and Tribe
by Bisma Rana (Indonesia) – Year 1 student

The Akha tribe, originally from China, migrated to Chiang Rai 40 years ago and established their community at Mae Chan Tai. They built homes from scratch and developed a functioning water system and farmland, where they grow crops and cultivate coffee beans. The Akha tribe lives in simple, self-constructed homes with breathtaking views of the mountains. Despite being only 40 years old as a village, they fiercely preserve their ancestral traditions. During my stay, I was struck by the tightly-knit community and the simplicity of their daily lives and thankful for the warm hospitality they extend to guests.

Coffee Production
by Chia-Han Wu (Taiwan) – Year 4 student

Mae Chan Tai village is known for its flavorful and sweet arabica coffee. We were extremely lucky to have the opportunity to witness the entire coffee production process, from planting seeds to roasting beans. During our visit, the villagers showed us their huge coffee plantation where they harvest coffee cherries from December to March each year. The villagers then start their coffee cherry processing, first using a machine to pluck off the cherries and then proceed to coffee processing, including washed, natural, and honey processes, each with its distinctive flavor and price. After processing the coffee, the villagers send the coffee beans to a dehusking machine to remove the coffee silverskin and sort the beans based on their size. The final step in the coffee production process is to roast the coffee beans into either light, medium, or dark roasts. The coffee beans produced in Mae Chan Tai village are mostly sold to cafés all around Thailand, but the villagers informed us that they also have international buyers from Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and even some countries in Europe.

Impact
by Li Ling Chan (Singapore) – Year 1 student

This trip impacted me positively as I was constantly reminded of how privileged I am. Hot water and electricity are things that are readily available to me, but in Mae Chan Tai village, they are considered a luxury. Solar panels are used to power the village’s appliances during the day, but at night, many houses are gloomy and dark. Having experienced the picking of coffee berries myself, I started to ponder if there is a swifter and more effective way of doing this. Since some berries are situated on higher branches, they are significantly harder to pick. A device that could reach taller branches and pluck berries efficiently would accelerate the process of collecting coffee beans for the villagers.