Our two weeks of volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia are about to come to a close. There's so much to say about this country and this experience, but internet time is limited. Soon we have to head back to the orphanage for our last afternoon of teaching.
My friend Debbie joined us in Cambodia. Here she is with a group of the kids from the orphanage. There are 67 kids living at the orphanage. We teach the kids at the orphanage for 3 hours in the morning. In the afternoon, Kristen and I teach English to teenagers, and Debbie motorbikes out to a school about 30 minutes from Siem Reap, and teaches the kids there.
Every day is a huge learning experience here. The country is still clearly recovering from the horrific events during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Their is political unrest and corruption yet many people are working hard to create a better life here. The poverty we've witnessed is intense. The average Cambodian makes about $1.30 a day. The average age of Cambodians is 10. 65% of the population has TB.
But all those staggering statistics aside, we have had an incredible time getting to know the kids at the orphanage. Last night they had a dance recital. Debbie was the MC. I gave a few speeches, and the 3 of us were beaming with pride because all their practice paid off. They did so well and had a really great time. This morning, because it was our last day, we slacked off a bit on the English lesson and made bracelets with strings and beads. Even the security guards and kitchen staff made them.
It's an understatement to say that it's going to be to sad to say goodbye to them this afternoon. I get choked up just thinking about it. Long after we leave I'll be picturing their sweet little faces and the sounds of their giggles in my head.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Voluntour Donation Update
In a few days we'll be heading into Cambodia and beginning our volunteer stint at WLS in Siem Reap. Our time will be split between teaching at SOID (School for Poor Children) in the morning and working at the orphanage in the afternoon. Of the 23 children at the orphanage, ranging from 5 to 17 years of age, about 10 of them are blind or visually impaired. They are joined by another 180 children for English lessons throughout the day. Without volunteers, there is just one teacher to teach all 200 children in 6 classes a day. We're looking forward to pitching in and helping out whereever needed.
A quick update on the donation front...
First of all, thank you so much to everyone who has contributed. Because of the kindness of friends (and a few strangers!) our fees for the Habitat for Humanity work in Hungary were covered, as were our fees for our work with WLS in Cambodia. $1000 went directly to the HFH chapter in Hungary, and a large portion of our WLS fees will go directly to the programs being run in Siem Reap.
We are still gratiously accepting donations to help cover the costs of the rest of our volunteer projects. Our work in Khao Lak Thailand cost a total of $760, which includes a $200 donation to Volunteer Teacher Thailand . Look closely and you'll find us on the website!
Our work in Belize, Costa Rica and New Orleans will cost approximately $1600. None of this includes the fees for flights. So...if you or anyone you know is willing to contribute to the cause, please click on the paypal link and donate away! We sincerely appreciate it.
We can guarantee that your donation is being put to good use. In both Hungary and Thailand, necessary supplies were few and far between. Even a small donation made a big difference- the HFH chapter in Hungary bought a new, much needed, circular saw. Volunteer Teacher Thailand was able to buy materials like laminating paper, pens and paper to help develop more lessons for the students.
Beyond the monetary donations, we continue to develop connections with people where we volunteer and hope to continue to work with these groups in some way in the future. In our free time, we're often brainstorming ways that we can continue to assist these worthy organizations and stay in contact with the amazing people we've met. Unfortunately, our internet time is fairly limited, because we have hundreds of stories about the people we've met and the work we've done. We'll try to keep you updated as much as possible!
Thanks again for your support and please spread the word!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Blueberries and Banana Leaves
TVC partners with Home and Life Orphanage on Tuesday nights to do English education, play games, cooking classes, etc. The home was started by a couple who had an orphanage up north but thought there might be a need in this area after the Tsunami, so Home and Life was born. The "parents" looked no older than me and care for the 25 kids who live there on their own. Some of the children are orphans from the Tsunami, others are from poor families who can not afford to raise them. The kids all attend school and are also taught traditional Thai dancing, as well as the English taught on Tuesday nights.
The kids were excited and polite as they greeted the TVC crew with open arms. Well, actually it was more like folded hands...the polite way to greet or thank someone in Thailand. The kids names often translate to English words, sometimes they end up being beautiful other times unfortunate. Last night we taught the most adorable Blueberry ever. There was also a Banana Leaf in the bunch. Both were such hard workers and willing to give anything we asked a try. Although Pi didn't take his eyes off the lesson, he kept his hand on his toy gun...just in case anyone got out of hand I'm guessing. Supaporn and Poo are two of the more unfortunate names...however, their smiles and Khawp Kun Ka's (thank yous) made up for anything else.
We concluded our two week stint in Khao Lak and have moved to Railey, a beachy island with plenty of lounging and not much else to do. After a few days here we are off on what seems like might turn out to be an epic journey into Cambodia to volunteer again. Can't wait to see if it is just as amazing as Thailand...
The kids were excited and polite as they greeted the TVC crew with open arms. Well, actually it was more like folded hands...the polite way to greet or thank someone in Thailand. The kids names often translate to English words, sometimes they end up being beautiful other times unfortunate. Last night we taught the most adorable Blueberry ever. There was also a Banana Leaf in the bunch. Both were such hard workers and willing to give anything we asked a try. Although Pi didn't take his eyes off the lesson, he kept his hand on his toy gun...just in case anyone got out of hand I'm guessing. Supaporn and Poo are two of the more unfortunate names...however, their smiles and Khawp Kun Ka's (thank yous) made up for anything else.
We concluded our two week stint in Khao Lak and have moved to Railey, a beachy island with plenty of lounging and not much else to do. After a few days here we are off on what seems like might turn out to be an epic journey into Cambodia to volunteer again. Can't wait to see if it is just as amazing as Thailand...
Friday, August 29, 2008
Safe in Thailand
I don't know what kind of press the protests in Thailand are getting in the western world, but I just wanted to let everyone know that we're safe and sound. We're in Khao Lak now, where we just finished up our two weeks of volunteering. It was a fantastic experience. We're heading to a couple of the Thai islands this week and then we go to Cambodia to begin our volunteer stint with WLS.
Until our next update, I leave you with this adorable, giggly duo that we met the other day.
I'll miss Khao Lak.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Amazing Khao Lak
Khao Lak was one of the towns in Thailand severely affected by the Tsunami. The tourism industry here has suffered greatly as a result. Because the Tsunami Volunteer Center is based here, volunteers from all over the world found their way here over the past 4 years looking for a way that they could lend a helping hand. As the community is rebuilding, TVCs efforts are part of the fabric of the town. Some volunteers came here to help out and found a new place to call home in the process. Some come for a month every year. Others stop in to help out for a few days and then are on their way. But whether you're here for 2 days, a month or 10 years, it's easy for Khao Lak to feel like home.
There's not much use of cell phones around here. There's no need for it. It's beautiful out so why not just stroll up the street and see if anyone you know is at Lazy House Bar. If not, why not just chat with the people who are there and make a new friend. It starts downpouring on your way? No big whoop. It's refreshing and it'll probably only last for 15 minutes. Volunteers and locals gather together for dinners on an almost daily basis on one of the zillions of delicious places to eat. Maybe go for a swim afterwards. Or, maybe it's TVC volunteer party night. Here's Kristen and I dressed up for the Traditional Thai dress party.
John, one of the aforementioned volunteers who decided to stick around Khao Lak, created the website amazingkhaolak.com. Check it out. And start planning your next trip. You won't regret it.
Hope. Spirit. Renewal.
That's the motto of the Tsunami Volunteer Center. On Sunday a group of the new volunteers got a tour of some of the Tsunami affected areas, significant landmarks related to the Tsunami and some of TVC's projects that have put their motto into action. It's tragic to see the devastation the Tsunami caused but very uplifting to see how communities have rebuilt in its wake. 
It's difficult to see from a picture how far this police boat is on land. This 40,000 ton police boat traveled about a mile on land and killed many people in its path. 
This 4 star hotel had its grand opening just 5 days before the Tsunami struck. Staff from many other areas had left their families for the Christmas holiday to come here to help with the grand opening. All of the guests and staff from this hotel were killed in the Tsunami. This dilapidated reception area is all that remains.
Tsunami Memorial Park is located in an area that was very badly hit. The wave struck from two different directions so it was impossible to run from it. The park has a gallery of photographs and a huge metal wall that symbolizes the wave. There's also a wall with memorials to many of the Tsunami victims.
When the Tsunami struck, a boat now referred to as the Red Devil traveled on land, destroyed many homes and killed more than 100 people in its path. The Blue Angel, however, didn't kill anyone. The boatman on board survived and a man carrying his 3 year old daughter was able to grab on to the side of the boat and save himself and his daughter.
In addition to the devastation from the Tsunami we saw many signs of renewal. One of the projects that came out of the Tsunami Volunteer Center's efforts is a shop that teaches children how to make batiks. The batiks are sold in a couple of stores in town and the 100% of the proceeds go directly to the child who made that batik.
A Japanese man visited Khao Lak after the Tsunami struck and met many women lost their husbands in the Tsunami and therefore, had no means of earning money for their families. He taught women Japanese weaving so they could make crafts and be able to support their families. Since then, many local women continue to weave beautiful crafts and sell them in town. Here's Kaew, who works at TVC (and is an all around amazing gal), giving weaving a try.
The TVC also began a project called Thaikea (I love a good pun!) where scrap wood found after the Tsunami is used to make furniture. The furniture at this restaurant is Thaikea-made.
The last stop of the day was a visit to a beach covered in giant rocks that were washed up during the Tsunami. I'm no geologist so I have no idea what they are, but I've never seen anything like it on a beach. In addition to the rocks, there were tons of beautiful coral and many hermit crabs that found their home there.
It sounds trite to go on about how beautiful and warm and welcoming I've found Thai people to be, and how impressed I am with their ability to continue after they've suffered so much loss. I'll just say that meeting people like this woman make me happy and make me see that there are always opportunities for hope, spirit and renewal.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tsunami Volunteer Center - Khao Lak, Thailand
Greetings from Khao Lak, Thailand. We began volunteering with The Tsunami Volunteer Center (TVC) on Monday. TVC was started the day after the December 26, 2004 tsunami hit. It started with rebuilding and construction but grew into a boat rebuilding project, handicraft education, and English education. They have hosted around 4,000 volunteers, many for months at a time and many for multiple return trips. One volunteer, Ken, actually came to do some construction, but after a while saw the need for English education since many of the English speakers who worked in the tourist industry had died in the storm. He has now been here for 3 years and is in the process of starting a new non-profit Volunteer Teaching in Thailand. TVC is actually closing their doors on September 4th. They have completed all of the rebuilding they can and will be able to contribute some of their resources to Volunteer Teaching in Thailand. I feel lucky that we got to be part of the second to last group to work here.
On our first day, we met a group of amazingly sweet, funny, and smart girls from Leeds University in England. They had been here for two weeks already teaching English at camps around Khao Lak. They shared their expertise and we began preparing our lessons for the next two days when we would be at Ban Thanun English Camp in Phang Nga, about an hour from Khao Lak. We taught lessons introducing words on topics like, my village, my family, foods, greetings, and directions. The kids were very polite and respectful. Most were very timid to speak English and participate in the silly games we had prepared. They are used to learning in a more copy and repeat format.
The kids were so adorable we wanted to snatch a few up and bring them home. Thai's tend to have really long names so they tell foreigners their short versions. Some translated to some English words. We had a Bus, Pond, Porn, Poo, Pup...each one cuter then the next.
The students would repeat exactly what was said to them. I was going over "places in your village" words and when I got to the last word I would naturally say, "and, police station". The kids would repeat with a smile, "and police station." It cracked me up every time. The next day my topic was "people in our family" and the kids were learning to say, "I have one brother and 2 sisters" or whatever the case may have been for them. Few of them spoke with much confidence but this one kid, in the most confident way, said, "I have one son!" My partner Laura and I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of this little boy with one son. Laura and I were both speaking English but with very different accents. We would sometimes get perplexed looks from the kids like, "um that is not what she just said."
On our first day, we met a group of amazingly sweet, funny, and smart girls from Leeds University in England. They had been here for two weeks already teaching English at camps around Khao Lak. They shared their expertise and we began preparing our lessons for the next two days when we would be at Ban Thanun English Camp in Phang Nga, about an hour from Khao Lak. We taught lessons introducing words on topics like, my village, my family, foods, greetings, and directions. The kids were very polite and respectful. Most were very timid to speak English and participate in the silly games we had prepared. They are used to learning in a more copy and repeat format.
The kids were so adorable we wanted to snatch a few up and bring them home. Thai's tend to have really long names so they tell foreigners their short versions. Some translated to some English words. We had a Bus, Pond, Porn, Poo, Pup...each one cuter then the next.
The students would repeat exactly what was said to them. I was going over "places in your village" words and when I got to the last word I would naturally say, "and, police station". The kids would repeat with a smile, "and police station." It cracked me up every time. The next day my topic was "people in our family" and the kids were learning to say, "I have one brother and 2 sisters" or whatever the case may have been for them. Few of them spoke with much confidence but this one kid, in the most confident way, said, "I have one son!" My partner Laura and I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of this little boy with one son. Laura and I were both speaking English but with very different accents. We would sometimes get perplexed looks from the kids like, "um that is not what she just said."
The goodbye ceremony we recieved was full of gratitude and emotion. The kids were even asking for our autographs! Kawp Kun Ka!
I look forward to the next week and a half....
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