From March 20-24, 13 volunteers from the Thai Peace Foundation trekked up to Kanat village in Sisaket on the Cambodian-Thai border, 9 hours northeast of Bangkok to partner with the local primary school to teach English, renovate parts of the school, organize a clothing distribution, and enjoy life with residents. We experienced unparalleled hospitality and warmth from the people of Kanat, evidenced by the bushels upon bushels of corn, guavas, mangoes, papayas, fish, and bananas. Though, hands down, our favorite treat was late-night cricket hunting that we ate deep-fried for breakfast.
We couldn’t have had a better team of people and I’m pretty sure they all have superpowers that I’ve only now become aware of.
X’s die-hard work ethic that earned her bleeding blisters after only two days of painting.
Kevin’s stamina to keep going despite little-to-no sleep and perform copious amounts of physical labor.
Supawn’s magic in the kitchen, including the ability to make popcorn appear out of nowhere. (she’s the one in the blue in the center of clothing organization)
Supawn’s magic in the kitchen, including the ability to make popcorn appear out of nowhere. (she’s the one in the blue in the center of clothing organization)
John’s contagious laugh that sent all the kids rolling.
Lexie’s stellar leadership and curriculum-creating skills. (And ability to unconsciously speak English with a Thai accent)
Christy’s natural-born teaching skills and ability to make a song or a game out of everything. (I lost my voice because we sang one million songs. Actual number.)
Christy’s natural-born teaching skills and ability to make a song or a game out of everything. (I lost my voice because we sang one million songs. Actual number.)
Cyndi’s winning up-for-anything-and-everything attitude.
Suwan’s ability to serve in secret and have to make anyone feel comfortable in conversation.
David’s ability to make even air entertaining for children.
Na’s and Nuy’s assistance in the kitchen; we would have starved without them. Na’s eagerness to wash dishes was impressive.
And finally, last but certainly not least, Jin’s role-model diligence in gaining a college education even though she had to initially stop after 6th grade to support her family and now organizing an educational enrichment program at her childhood school. The school even gave her a special award and a chance to speak to all the students. Here’s Jin with her dad.
Jin and her Dad
Oh, and my superpower? It’s got to be my ability to get lazy halfway through this post and stop uploading photos.
The library before renovation
And after paint and new organization
Principal Pongsak showing gratitude by giving us tons and tons of crops. I’m convinced Sisaket has the sweetest corn and mangoes I’ve ever had.
Principal Pongsak showing gratitude by giving us tons and tons of crops. I’m convinced Sisaket has the sweetest corn and mangoes I’ve ever had.
And the best of all: cricket crop that we caught with our bare hands. Two things I need to say about that: 1. Quite tasty, I must admit. and 2. Grandmas in Sisaket are quick little ladies. Good eyes!
Cricket crop that we caught with our bare hands
And the best of all: cricket crop that we caught with our bare hands. Two things I need to say about that: 1. Quite tasty, I must admit. and 2. Grandmas in Sisaket are quick little ladies. Good eyes!
Oh, when can we go back to Sisaket?
Lets go back!
