At tne camp we were not allowed money mobile phones or our laptops facebook was for the first time in ages out of reach at first l felt lonely a girl alone no family relatives or friends l had to work in exchange for food and a place to sleep gradually my tender hands hardened from carrying heavy baskets of stones sand cement and water to help pave a road l also helped harvest rice with tho nearby farmere a backdreaking job l began to doubt my decision to join the programme
but ironically all the hard work made me feel wealthy even though l was surrounded by poverty what l once perceived as depvivation now l view as treasure lndeed l have discovered the nonfabricated aspects of life peace joy
every time i feel exhausted from studyingor get discouraged by burdens in life i reflect on those precious moments those peasants and labourers i had tho privilege to know gave me valuable life lessons although i might never live the life of the first woman mentioned i have definitely found simething more precious love peace and happiness which does not cost a single penny ploy was the second runner dublin literary awards for thailand 2011/2012