Today is the four year anniversary of the tsunami (12/26/2004). I'll just ask you to think of the many people who did not make it and especially those that survived and lost so many loved ones. Some of our children are orphans from the tsunami. One of my kindy kids was 4 months old and somehow survived. His mother died.
The Thais I've met here are incredibly generous and giving. A friend from England was here during the tsunami with his daughter and survived because they just happened to be at their hotel when it hit. Afterwards, men began moving many of the surviving women and children (westerners) to higher ground above Khao Lak. Thai women brought up rice and food ... even though many of them had just lost their own loved ones. These people are incredible. This is why my friend moved to Thailand.
I find that if I make even the smallest effort here, the kindness returned is much greater than what I gave. (Which makes me want to give even more!) The Thais at this school are amazing and very loving. Yesterday, even though they don't have a lot of money, a couple of my friends gave me gifts which brought me to tears. Another friend gave me a Christmas/New Year's card. She is a mother of one of our students and she also works here as a cleaning person. I really respect her. She speaks almost no English and still she went out of her way to buy me a card which was an incredible gift, especially knowing that they have so little.
I feel very grateful to be able to give something here but I think I'm getting the greatest gift in friendship and love.
I wish kindness and love for the victims of the tsunami and gratitude for the amazing spirit of the Thais.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Four months ago today...
I left the USA on August 24th. It's hard to believe it's been four months. It took me a long time to make the decision to go abroad and once I did it took quite a bit longer to buy that plane ticket and leave my step-daughter and find a home for my dog and cat and quit my job and rent out my condo and leave my friends and boyfriend... Even though I really wanted this, the day I left I felt so much panic, so much of "what am I doing," "did I really know what I was getting myself into?" and "I'm NOT going because I can't get on that plane." I felt so many things that didn't make sense. I felt physically sick, angry, sad, scared... happy wasn't one of them that day! I know - you're probably thinking if it were you, you would have been ecstatic! It's difficult to leave though and to change everything in your life. You leave everything familiar, everything you love and all "your people."
The first three weeks were very challenging. I was excited to be here but missed home incredibly. The weather was so hot and rainy that I had to take a nap almost every day. The food was so different I had entertaining body moments and then include the change in bathroom styles and it was really entertaining! Few of those at the school spoke English and if they did they were very shy at first to communicate so I didn't know who else spoke English besides the British English teacher. Mobility is zero unless you walk or ask for a ride. I couldn't ride a motorbike and everything is at least 2-3 km away. By the time October rolled around I was finally feeling comfortable in my shoes here and adjusting... just in time for the children to take a one month break and go "home."
Then I was off to Nepal which was amazing and beautiful and hard too. I enjoyed much of it with the exception of a few miserable moments of being sick and hiking and hurting and being tired of walking. But overall I really enjoyed the culture and trekking. I had one major moment in Pokhara of "I don't want to be gone a year, this was (again) a stupid idea... I want to go home...." So, I rowed myself across the lake one morning very early, watched some monkeys on the shore and had a good cry. Something about sitting in a canoe in water and having it out is very good. Then I hiked the 2 miles uphill to a huge gompa and rowed back the 1-2 miles back across the lake. Seemed to cure my homesick blues and they haven't hit that hard again since.
Coming back from Nepal I felt like I was coming home to my place at Yaowawit. I am so much more comfortable here and enjoying my friends. The staff are wonderful. It is challenging, don't get me wrong. I'm working my tail off with Ina preparing lessons in our time off (evenings and afternoons and even some of those sunny beach weekends in Khao Lak I can be found in my bedroom writing things and making games). I'm trying to find creative ways to engage the kids and you have to stay ahead of that game. I'm also trying to be around more in the "off" time when the kids are playing so that we can speak English and enjoy each other outside of a formal class time. I get to know the older kids this way because I haven't had the opportunity to interact with them as much. By the end of the day I'm exhausted. And then add in the things I'm doing for myself with the online course and grad app and blogging (yes this is the fun part!) and writing e-mails. Thank you so much for your mail and e-mails by the way - I really enjoy keeping in touch with you.
Now, December 24th, I'm very glad I got on that plane. I can't believe it's been four months. I'm pretty confident the rest of the year will be great as well but I'm nervous about where I'll go next. I'm researching things a bit to figure that all out but it will turn out fine.
So... tonight on a night that I would normally be at my friend's house enjoying a delicious Christmas Eve dinner and opening gifts with Larry and Gail and Janna and Kyle and Victor and friends (and maybe even Lauren!), and making a ruckus fit to be heard all the way back to my place cuz they're SO fun, I'm here in Thailand thinking of you! I'm happy that many of you are doing well, thinking of those that aren't, and grateful that you are my friends and that you are sharing this with me.
I did not send gifts or cards this year because of logistics and cost so please understand if Santa Joy did not visit you this year. I am thinking of you though and hope you have the best of Christmas and that the snow in Seattle and Portland doesn't hinder too many plans. Enjoy your family, sneak a kiss under the mistle toe for me and eat lots of ham and pie. (Cuz I'm still eating rice ... sigh!).
I love you! Merry Christmas!
The first three weeks were very challenging. I was excited to be here but missed home incredibly. The weather was so hot and rainy that I had to take a nap almost every day. The food was so different I had entertaining body moments and then include the change in bathroom styles and it was really entertaining! Few of those at the school spoke English and if they did they were very shy at first to communicate so I didn't know who else spoke English besides the British English teacher. Mobility is zero unless you walk or ask for a ride. I couldn't ride a motorbike and everything is at least 2-3 km away. By the time October rolled around I was finally feeling comfortable in my shoes here and adjusting... just in time for the children to take a one month break and go "home."
Then I was off to Nepal which was amazing and beautiful and hard too. I enjoyed much of it with the exception of a few miserable moments of being sick and hiking and hurting and being tired of walking. But overall I really enjoyed the culture and trekking. I had one major moment in Pokhara of "I don't want to be gone a year, this was (again) a stupid idea... I want to go home...." So, I rowed myself across the lake one morning very early, watched some monkeys on the shore and had a good cry. Something about sitting in a canoe in water and having it out is very good. Then I hiked the 2 miles uphill to a huge gompa and rowed back the 1-2 miles back across the lake. Seemed to cure my homesick blues and they haven't hit that hard again since.
Coming back from Nepal I felt like I was coming home to my place at Yaowawit. I am so much more comfortable here and enjoying my friends. The staff are wonderful. It is challenging, don't get me wrong. I'm working my tail off with Ina preparing lessons in our time off (evenings and afternoons and even some of those sunny beach weekends in Khao Lak I can be found in my bedroom writing things and making games). I'm trying to find creative ways to engage the kids and you have to stay ahead of that game. I'm also trying to be around more in the "off" time when the kids are playing so that we can speak English and enjoy each other outside of a formal class time. I get to know the older kids this way because I haven't had the opportunity to interact with them as much. By the end of the day I'm exhausted. And then add in the things I'm doing for myself with the online course and grad app and blogging (yes this is the fun part!) and writing e-mails. Thank you so much for your mail and e-mails by the way - I really enjoy keeping in touch with you.
Now, December 24th, I'm very glad I got on that plane. I can't believe it's been four months. I'm pretty confident the rest of the year will be great as well but I'm nervous about where I'll go next. I'm researching things a bit to figure that all out but it will turn out fine.
So... tonight on a night that I would normally be at my friend's house enjoying a delicious Christmas Eve dinner and opening gifts with Larry and Gail and Janna and Kyle and Victor and friends (and maybe even Lauren!), and making a ruckus fit to be heard all the way back to my place cuz they're SO fun, I'm here in Thailand thinking of you! I'm happy that many of you are doing well, thinking of those that aren't, and grateful that you are my friends and that you are sharing this with me.
I did not send gifts or cards this year because of logistics and cost so please understand if Santa Joy did not visit you this year. I am thinking of you though and hope you have the best of Christmas and that the snow in Seattle and Portland doesn't hinder too many plans. Enjoy your family, sneak a kiss under the mistle toe for me and eat lots of ham and pie. (Cuz I'm still eating rice ... sigh!).
I love you! Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
I wish you the best of both. I'm thinking of home and all of the people I love. Larry and Gail, wish I could be there this Christmas Eve. Next year.... Sigh... Sad... But not sad... I am happy to spend the holiday with these awesome kiddos but I also miss spending it with all of you. I miss the hectic-ness and the fun spirit of Christmas and Christmas traditions and gatherings and enjoying my friends.
Lauren, I miss spending time with you doing Christmas things! Cutting down the Christmas tree, reading "Twas the night before Christmas..." and singing and decorating and driving around to Christmas lights... and pictures of YOU sitting on Santa's lap! I love you bug!
Loves.
Lauren, I miss spending time with you doing Christmas things! Cutting down the Christmas tree, reading "Twas the night before Christmas..." and singing and decorating and driving around to Christmas lights... and pictures of YOU sitting on Santa's lap! I love you bug!
Loves.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
More pics from the islands...
Sooay mak mak! Very beautiful...
Yes Sherri... I finally found a turtle!
This is Richie an Australian we met on the boat.
I only got one pic to upload earlier. This one's from the rock climb on Duck Island.
Yes Sherri... I finally found a turtle!
This is Richie an Australian we met on the boat.
I only got one pic to upload earlier. This one's from the rock climb on Duck Island.
December 14 - Similan Islands
It's taken me about 2 hours to post the pics for these two blogs so I've split the blog posts up... I'll post a third/fourth one with more later... (I also need to finish a chapter for an online course I'm taking and work on my app for grad school... SIGH). It's nice to be able to get away to beaches like this on the weekend!
My friend Susan from the US is in Thailand right now. She was in India for five weeks and then spent time in north Thailand volunteering at an elephant sanctuary (I'll have to ask for the link so I can put in a plug... it sounded really good)! She came down to visit this weekend and unfortunately I can't take much time off to travel right now and I had to do my visa run on Saturday. UGH. BUT I did get to spend a couple days with her which was really nice. I also met her friend Chad from the elephant sanctuary.
Saturday night we had some drinks and dinner and then crashed. Sunday we were up *slightly* early... to meet up with our tour group to go to the Similan Islands (Chad & Susan had booked this by the time I got back from Ranong and it was a GREAT idea). This is something I had previously opted out of doing because I'm trying not to spend very much money. Chad got us a great deal and even the starting price wasn't bad! it's a lot of fun and SO beautiful so if you're going to Khao Lak, I highly recommend a trip to Similan Islands.
Waiting in the morning. Starting on the left: me (nah really?), Chad, Leer(?) & Britt (a couple from Finland that Chad met the night before) and Susan
I opted for a seat at the front of the boat in the wind. I'm not good with being inside a boat (this one or the one to Ranong!) and I love the wind and sun. These are two of our tour guides.
Susan and Chad inside.
The day was spent going to various islands and snorkeling in about 5-7 meters of gorgeous blue water. You can see coral and Chad pointed out a school of cuddle fish (I wouldn't otherwise have noticed or known what they were!). The boat stops in 5-7 meters of water and you jump off the boat to snorkel.
Susan and I
Lunch was spent on one of the main islands. We had about an hour to eat, swim, walk the beach...
In the afternoon we snorkeled more and then stopped for an hour on Duck Island, named such because a giant rock at the entrance to the bay looks like a duck head. We also did a hike - barefoot - up huge boulders. The view was stunning.
The ride back was great. I enjoyed my favorite seat in the house. Up high in the front in the wind. It's a pretty wild ride when the waves are bigger. LOVE it! Probably my favorite part of the whole day!
We got back about 4-5pm and met up with Ina and a guy from the guest house - Chris is a hoot! Dinner was at Everyday Restaurant (ask for Ning - she's awesome and very sweet) by Sri Guest house.
Susan was staying at Yaowawit Hotel Sunday night so the three of us caught a taxi back from Khao Lak (a 1-1.5 hour drive one way). I wouldn't pay 1000 baht so we walked on until Chad found one that would do 800 baht for the 3 of us. Yay! I know, I know... it's $6 but here... it's 200 baht! :-)
I'll post more pictures later... gotta run eat dinner
My friend Susan from the US is in Thailand right now. She was in India for five weeks and then spent time in north Thailand volunteering at an elephant sanctuary (I'll have to ask for the link so I can put in a plug... it sounded really good)! She came down to visit this weekend and unfortunately I can't take much time off to travel right now and I had to do my visa run on Saturday. UGH. BUT I did get to spend a couple days with her which was really nice. I also met her friend Chad from the elephant sanctuary.
Saturday night we had some drinks and dinner and then crashed. Sunday we were up *slightly* early... to meet up with our tour group to go to the Similan Islands (Chad & Susan had booked this by the time I got back from Ranong and it was a GREAT idea). This is something I had previously opted out of doing because I'm trying not to spend very much money. Chad got us a great deal and even the starting price wasn't bad! it's a lot of fun and SO beautiful so if you're going to Khao Lak, I highly recommend a trip to Similan Islands.
Waiting in the morning. Starting on the left: me (nah really?), Chad, Leer(?) & Britt (a couple from Finland that Chad met the night before) and Susan
I opted for a seat at the front of the boat in the wind. I'm not good with being inside a boat (this one or the one to Ranong!) and I love the wind and sun. These are two of our tour guides.
Susan and Chad inside.
The day was spent going to various islands and snorkeling in about 5-7 meters of gorgeous blue water. You can see coral and Chad pointed out a school of cuddle fish (I wouldn't otherwise have noticed or known what they were!). The boat stops in 5-7 meters of water and you jump off the boat to snorkel.
Susan and I
Lunch was spent on one of the main islands. We had about an hour to eat, swim, walk the beach...
In the afternoon we snorkeled more and then stopped for an hour on Duck Island, named such because a giant rock at the entrance to the bay looks like a duck head. We also did a hike - barefoot - up huge boulders. The view was stunning.
The ride back was great. I enjoyed my favorite seat in the house. Up high in the front in the wind. It's a pretty wild ride when the waves are bigger. LOVE it! Probably my favorite part of the whole day!
We got back about 4-5pm and met up with Ina and a guy from the guest house - Chris is a hoot! Dinner was at Everyday Restaurant (ask for Ning - she's awesome and very sweet) by Sri Guest house.
Susan was staying at Yaowawit Hotel Sunday night so the three of us caught a taxi back from Khao Lak (a 1-1.5 hour drive one way). I wouldn't pay 1000 baht so we walked on until Chad found one that would do 800 baht for the 3 of us. Yay! I know, I know... it's $6 but here... it's 200 baht! :-)
I'll post more pictures later... gotta run eat dinner
Border run pics Dec 12
The start of a great weekend! This is Ina the volunteer from Norway. We are riding in the back of a truck on the way to Khao Lak.
Fiona and Steve and I went to a beautiful beach - very quiet and too far for the tourists to walk to - and enjoyed a swim and a beer Friday night. Mmm... I love swimming and Fiona and Steve are quite fun.
Saturday was the day for going to Myanmar to get a 15 day extension for my time in Thailand (I only got a 30 day allowance coming in from Nepal because I decided the Thai embassy was too much of a hassle to get to in Kathmandu... NOT a wise choice... now I have to go and do it anyways in Malaysia!)
Thailand recently changed the law to only allow 15 days instead of 30 days on re-entry when you cross a land border into Thailand. I went with Steve and a couple others from Khao Lak in a full minivan (the others came up from Phuket). This is a long days trip... starts about 8:00 am, you drive for 3 hours with one stop for breakfast. Once in Ranong you get in line to have your passport stamped for exiting Thailand (30+ min) then you get on a big boat via jumping across a number of long boats (I think this was the best part of the trip)! and take a 45 minute boat ride across (one stop to make sure noone is being smuggled across). Once in Myanmar you have a 30-60 minute wait to have your passport stamped for Myanmar. Then you get back on the boat and ride back to Ranong, Thailand to wait another 30-60 minutes to have your passport stamped again. Then a quick lunch in Ranong ... keep in mind you're near a very polluted river that smells a bit... and then a 3 hour drive back to Khao Lok. AND a movie...Annaconda 3. WOW. The cake topper however was when the driver turned on Britney Spears with "Oops I did it again..." AAARRARRARRGRGGGGGGHHHHH!
The trip isn't that bad it's just really boring and to only get 15 days is a bummer. I now have to look at flying/busing to Malaysia to get a 60 day visa. Oh darn, I have to go to another country! :-)
This picture is from the boat as we left Ranong, Thailand on the way to Myanmar.
This is near where we landed in Myanmar.
Fiona and Steve and I went to a beautiful beach - very quiet and too far for the tourists to walk to - and enjoyed a swim and a beer Friday night. Mmm... I love swimming and Fiona and Steve are quite fun.
Saturday was the day for going to Myanmar to get a 15 day extension for my time in Thailand (I only got a 30 day allowance coming in from Nepal because I decided the Thai embassy was too much of a hassle to get to in Kathmandu... NOT a wise choice... now I have to go and do it anyways in Malaysia!)
Thailand recently changed the law to only allow 15 days instead of 30 days on re-entry when you cross a land border into Thailand. I went with Steve and a couple others from Khao Lak in a full minivan (the others came up from Phuket). This is a long days trip... starts about 8:00 am, you drive for 3 hours with one stop for breakfast. Once in Ranong you get in line to have your passport stamped for exiting Thailand (30+ min) then you get on a big boat via jumping across a number of long boats (I think this was the best part of the trip)! and take a 45 minute boat ride across (one stop to make sure noone is being smuggled across). Once in Myanmar you have a 30-60 minute wait to have your passport stamped for Myanmar. Then you get back on the boat and ride back to Ranong, Thailand to wait another 30-60 minutes to have your passport stamped again. Then a quick lunch in Ranong ... keep in mind you're near a very polluted river that smells a bit... and then a 3 hour drive back to Khao Lok. AND a movie...Annaconda 3. WOW. The cake topper however was when the driver turned on Britney Spears with "Oops I did it again..." AAARRARRARRGRGGGGGGHHHHH!
The trip isn't that bad it's just really boring and to only get 15 days is a bummer. I now have to look at flying/busing to Malaysia to get a 60 day visa. Oh darn, I have to go to another country! :-)
This picture is from the boat as we left Ranong, Thailand on the way to Myanmar.
This is near where we landed in Myanmar.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Gratitude
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to know the kids here at Yaowawit as well as at the local primary school where I teach. I think they give back something far greater than anything I can ever teach or give them. They are all so incredible. I love to see them grow and remember things. I love to see the light go on when they figure something out. I love the hugs they throw at me in a full blown, dead run, "Kru Joyann!!!" These children are a gift.
The children here are very lucky to have been placed here. Yaowawit is a very special school in that it's one of the best in Thailand for orphans and it will be an example for other schools like it. They provide a loving family like environment, education, vocational training and so much more. During open learning they may learn something about the post office or future jobs or creative things. Last night after hours, I found one of the teachers teaching English cursive to students who had read about it and wanted to learn. This is AFTER a full day.
Sidenote: The teachers here work 6 days a week (some who live at the school work 7). They also spend at least one night here helping to care for the kids. One of the teachers helps her family run a restaurant in Kapong and also teaches here full-time. Besides the school I'm finding that many Thais work at least 6 days a week.
Today kindergarten three went on a "field trip" into the jungle. They are learning about different areas in the world... the sea, mountains, the jungle, waterfalls... They got to see a dead snake, a fish eating a bat (!!) and ... and... and...! Ina the other volunteer went with them and I sent my camera along. I stayed with kindergarten one and we did a "big kid" game of color bingo. They did pretty good for being so little! Then we played a color game where they run to different colored blocks. Most of the kids are getting these down now. Yay! (K1 is beginner/pre-school age, K2 is in the middle, and K3 are the "advanced" kindergarteners). I am working primarily with K1 and teaching using mostly games and coloring and keeping the program moving quickly. They have a very short attention span at this age. Some of our kids have learning disabilities or behavioral problems which can add to the chaos but they've each done incredibly well given some of their histories. Anyways, I come away from spending time with them playing or teaching and feel happy and inspired. These kids are going to make it out of poverty and be great people. They already are GREAT kids.
This afternoon I taught grades 5 and 6 (separately) at the local primary school. We played animal bingo (yes Bingo BINGO BINGO! today!). We reviewed different animals, I had volunteers come up and act out animals from a list and the other kids guess. Then we played the Bingo and the winners received yellow smiley face pins. Then for Christmas I had a Christmas tree picture for them to color with the words to Jingle Bells on the back. And of course... we sang Jingle Bells! Okay... I sang the verse and we all sang the chorus. And I played a borrowed Christmas songs CD while they colored. COOL BEANS! I won't get to see them until January so... the last few minutes I played hang man with words from the day and "SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!" I so enjoy these classes!
I hope your days are good and that Christmas is not hectic or stressful for you.
Merry Christmas to you. Thank you for being the great people that all of YOU are.
Much love.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to know the kids here at Yaowawit as well as at the local primary school where I teach. I think they give back something far greater than anything I can ever teach or give them. They are all so incredible. I love to see them grow and remember things. I love to see the light go on when they figure something out. I love the hugs they throw at me in a full blown, dead run, "Kru Joyann!!!" These children are a gift.
The children here are very lucky to have been placed here. Yaowawit is a very special school in that it's one of the best in Thailand for orphans and it will be an example for other schools like it. They provide a loving family like environment, education, vocational training and so much more. During open learning they may learn something about the post office or future jobs or creative things. Last night after hours, I found one of the teachers teaching English cursive to students who had read about it and wanted to learn. This is AFTER a full day.
Sidenote: The teachers here work 6 days a week (some who live at the school work 7). They also spend at least one night here helping to care for the kids. One of the teachers helps her family run a restaurant in Kapong and also teaches here full-time. Besides the school I'm finding that many Thais work at least 6 days a week.
Today kindergarten three went on a "field trip" into the jungle. They are learning about different areas in the world... the sea, mountains, the jungle, waterfalls... They got to see a dead snake, a fish eating a bat (!!) and ... and... and...! Ina the other volunteer went with them and I sent my camera along. I stayed with kindergarten one and we did a "big kid" game of color bingo. They did pretty good for being so little! Then we played a color game where they run to different colored blocks. Most of the kids are getting these down now. Yay! (K1 is beginner/pre-school age, K2 is in the middle, and K3 are the "advanced" kindergarteners). I am working primarily with K1 and teaching using mostly games and coloring and keeping the program moving quickly. They have a very short attention span at this age. Some of our kids have learning disabilities or behavioral problems which can add to the chaos but they've each done incredibly well given some of their histories. Anyways, I come away from spending time with them playing or teaching and feel happy and inspired. These kids are going to make it out of poverty and be great people. They already are GREAT kids.
This afternoon I taught grades 5 and 6 (separately) at the local primary school. We played animal bingo (yes Bingo BINGO BINGO! today!). We reviewed different animals, I had volunteers come up and act out animals from a list and the other kids guess. Then we played the Bingo and the winners received yellow smiley face pins. Then for Christmas I had a Christmas tree picture for them to color with the words to Jingle Bells on the back. And of course... we sang Jingle Bells! Okay... I sang the verse and we all sang the chorus. And I played a borrowed Christmas songs CD while they colored. COOL BEANS! I won't get to see them until January so... the last few minutes I played hang man with words from the day and "SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!" I so enjoy these classes!
I hope your days are good and that Christmas is not hectic or stressful for you.
Merry Christmas to you. Thank you for being the great people that all of YOU are.
Much love.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Update
Hello all,
I haven't posted much lately. I've just been teaching or working on my app for grad school or hanging out with the staff and volunteers ... I'm sorry - I still haven't posted anything from Nepal.
I'm doing a visa run up to Myanmar tomorrow. Sunday I will be meeting my friend Susan from Seattle in Khao Lak. I can't wait to see her! Susan's been traveling in India and also volunteered in north Thailand at an elephant sanctuary. She'll be in south Thailand for a week or so?
I miss all of you. I hope you are having a good December and I hope your Christmas plans are going smoothly.
Hugs to you!
I haven't posted much lately. I've just been teaching or working on my app for grad school or hanging out with the staff and volunteers ... I'm sorry - I still haven't posted anything from Nepal.
I'm doing a visa run up to Myanmar tomorrow. Sunday I will be meeting my friend Susan from Seattle in Khao Lak. I can't wait to see her! Susan's been traveling in India and also volunteered in north Thailand at an elephant sanctuary. She'll be in south Thailand for a week or so?
I miss all of you. I hope you are having a good December and I hope your Christmas plans are going smoothly.
Hugs to you!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Khao Lak
I'm in Khao Lak for the weekend. Decided to check out the local tourist spot (about 45-50 km from the school) and hit the beach.
I got to spend the night at my friend Fiona's house last night and had a great time catching up. She's done some amazing things for the school both with teaching and with fundraising and she's an inspiration. She's very involved with other charities as well.
And of course there's the beach... I spent three hours there today and will be hitting it again either later or tomorrow. Getting lots of R&R before heading back to the school on Sunday.
Right now I'm working with the youngest of the kindergarteners (K1) while we have 4 other volunteers and I'm also enjoying the company of the cooks while we work on English. I help chop carrots and we speak English and work on vocabulary. They are FUN!
Each day all of us volunteers have reading time with 1-3 each of the older kids. There are 115 children at the school right now and I don't get to directly teach the older kids but I'm working on memorizing their names. They quiz me. Every time the walk by they point to themselves and say... "My name?" We all have a good laugh and then if I mix it up I make up a new name for myself and we crack up some more. On Wednesdays I'm back to going to the local primary school for an hour each with grades 5 and 6. These classes have 20-25 students each so I do games in English to try to keep them engaged.
The kids at Yaowawit are wonderful kids and I'm glad they are at our school. This is one of the best orphanages in Thailand and the staff and teachers are incredible.
Best wishes for those of you shopping for Christmas gifts. To those of you who are German/ Europeans, Happy Saint Nicholas Day! (You put out your biggest shoe on the night of Dec 5th and St. Nicholas may bring you loads of candy...if you've been good of course).
Have a sweet treat day.
Happy December!
I got to spend the night at my friend Fiona's house last night and had a great time catching up. She's done some amazing things for the school both with teaching and with fundraising and she's an inspiration. She's very involved with other charities as well.
And of course there's the beach... I spent three hours there today and will be hitting it again either later or tomorrow. Getting lots of R&R before heading back to the school on Sunday.
Right now I'm working with the youngest of the kindergarteners (K1) while we have 4 other volunteers and I'm also enjoying the company of the cooks while we work on English. I help chop carrots and we speak English and work on vocabulary. They are FUN!
Each day all of us volunteers have reading time with 1-3 each of the older kids. There are 115 children at the school right now and I don't get to directly teach the older kids but I'm working on memorizing their names. They quiz me. Every time the walk by they point to themselves and say... "My name?" We all have a good laugh and then if I mix it up I make up a new name for myself and we crack up some more. On Wednesdays I'm back to going to the local primary school for an hour each with grades 5 and 6. These classes have 20-25 students each so I do games in English to try to keep them engaged.
The kids at Yaowawit are wonderful kids and I'm glad they are at our school. This is one of the best orphanages in Thailand and the staff and teachers are incredible.
Best wishes for those of you shopping for Christmas gifts. To those of you who are German/ Europeans, Happy Saint Nicholas Day! (You put out your biggest shoe on the night of Dec 5th and St. Nicholas may bring you loads of candy...if you've been good of course).
Have a sweet treat day.
Happy December!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Care to help?
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=6&link=ctg_lit_home_from_ths_home_sitenav
My friend Bob sent me the link to a website that you can "click" (no money or info required) to donate to various causes. It has one for each of the following:
By clicking each day, sponsors give money to these programs (and of course you can buy products from their online stores as well) but otherwise all you have to do is click. I've seen and done this for the breast cancer site before but never noticed the others.
Some cool things that you can learn though are:
- what your environmental footprint is
- literacy issues in the world and U.S.
- animal rescue stories and wildfacts,
- teacher resources
- and many, many more...
I've copied and pasted some of the facts from the literacy site, but please check the site if any of these issues are ones that you are interested in.
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**U.S. literacy statistics from First Book http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/aboutthecause.faces?siteId=6&link=ctg_lit_aboutthecause_from_home_sidetabs
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"Every year, more than nine million children in the developing world die before they reach the age of five."
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/survivetofive.faces?siteId=5&link=ctg_chs_survivetofive_from_home_sidetabs
Thanks to all of you for everything you do every day!
Love and hugs
My friend Bob sent me the link to a website that you can "click" (no money or info required) to donate to various causes. It has one for each of the following:
- Hunger
- Breast Cancer
- Child Health
- Literacy
- Rainforest
- Animal Rescue
By clicking each day, sponsors give money to these programs (and of course you can buy products from their online stores as well) but otherwise all you have to do is click. I've seen and done this for the breast cancer site before but never noticed the others.
Some cool things that you can learn though are:
- what your environmental footprint is
- literacy issues in the world and U.S.
- animal rescue stories and wildfacts,
- teacher resources
- and many, many more...
I've copied and pasted some of the facts from the literacy site, but please check the site if any of these issues are ones that you are interested in.
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World Literacy Facts*:
- Over 780 million adults in the world are illiterate.
- 64% of the world's illiterate are women.
- Nearly 60 per cent of the estimated 113 million children who do not attend primary school worldwide are girls.
- On average, nearly one in three children does not complete 5 years of primary education, the minimum required for acquiring basic literacy.
- A recent study (included in the Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Vol. 2, edited by Susan Neuman and David Dickinson) shows that while in middle income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children.
- Over 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving children from low-income families have no age-appropriate books for their children.
- Children from low-income families have been exposed to an average of only 25 hours of one-on-one reading time compared to an average of 1,000 to 1,700 hours for children from middle-class families.
- The National Center for Education Statistics' evaluation of No Child Left Behind reading proficiency scores in 2005 found that 36% of all 4th graders scored in the "Below Basic" proficiency level, and 54% of 4th graders eligible for school lunch program scored in the "Below Basic" proficiency level.
- According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading skills among middle school students have remained virtually unchanged for 15 years, improving by only two points between 1992 and 2005.
**U.S. literacy statistics from First Book http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/aboutthecause.faces?siteId=6&link=ctg_lit_aboutthecause_from_home_sidetabs
-----------------------
"Every year, more than nine million children in the developing world die before they reach the age of five."
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/survivetofive.faces?siteId=5&link=ctg_chs_survivetofive_from_home_sidetabs
Thanks to all of you for everything you do every day!
Love and hugs
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