From August 2 to 16, 2025, we (XLC: two students and one teacher) participated in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities – Asia Pacific Service Learning Program 2025, with the theme “One with Nature”, at Ateneo de Naga University, Philippines. We had the opportunity to experience a new way of life. Today, we would like to share our thoughts and good experiences on the topic “One with Nature.”

February 27, 2024, marks a momentous day that is etched in the history of Saengtham College, Xavier Chiang Rai Campus, as Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn graced the college with her presence to open its doors officially. This visit was highlighted by a series of captivating moments that left an indelible imprint on the college.

Once there was a boy who wanted to have a dog. His parents were poor and could not afford to buy him one. After insisting much, his mother decided to give him one hundred Baht and told him this was all she had. The boy want to a shop and saw a lot of little puppies which were lovely. He went inside the shop and asked the owner how much was one. The owner said one thousand Baht. The boy was disappointed and went back home sad. But he could not stop thinking of the beautiful puppies he had seen.

Lent is an Old English word for spring. In almost all other languages the word for ‘Lent’ comes from the Latin word for “forty days.”

In the Bible, forty days is a traditional number of discipline, devotion, and preparation. Moses stayed on the mountain of God forty days (Ex. 24:18, 34:28). The Israelites’ spies were in the land of Canaan forty days (Num. 13:25). Elijah travelled forty days before he reached the cave where he had his vision (1 Kings 19:8). Nineveh was given forty days to repent (Jon. 3:4). It is also a reminder of Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the desert.