Ban Piang School

Today felt like being in Haiti, Oaxaca, and Huruma ... we loved on kids, played games with them, and fed them. I left with tears in my eyes.

I love what I do. I've been fortunate enough to travel to countries to love on kids who need it. The only thing missing for me this time was my wonderful friend, Suzan Bellis. I remember when I first saw her, it was on a Sunday morning and she was telling us about her trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. She also told us she didn't start going on mission trips until she was 40. There I sat at 45 thinking, "if she can start at 40, I can start at 45" ... and I did. The best decision I ever made. God blessed me by supplying all my needs for all the trips. He's faithful like that.

Ban Piang School is a public school for hill tribe children. They have about 50-70 children who live on the campus. The older siblings take care of the younger ones. These children have very little and have to bring their own food supplies for lunch on the weekends. Which means when they go home the bring back rice and vegetables from their homes to use for their meals on the weekends. Here are some pictures of our time there. 

Gan is a senior and was our interpreter. These children don't understand English and most of us don't understand Thai. Gan is from Burma but was raised in Thailand, he is a good student and wants to go to college in Switzerland to study Hospitality. 

Who doesn't enjoy a game of Duck Duck Goose. These children loved having others around to play with and lead them in activities even though the weather and humidity levels were well over 90. 

Playing Dragon Tail ... our students did a wonderful job and we couldn't have been prouder. 

The young girl on the far right's name is Goi. She had the sweetest smile and wasn't afraid to give me a hug. 

The children were served
first but didn't eat until
everyone had food.
One of the older students
prayed and we ate.

The students wash their own plates
and then rinse them.

After the children wash their own
plates, they place them to be dried.

   

Ms Somjit, one of our RA's, was our cook. She worked
the night before making massaman curry for the kids. She
made a red curry as well as rice. Here, one of our drivers
pitched in and helped make omelets for the kids.
From what we were told these children get very little
protein so having chicken and eggs was a treat.

We look forward to coming back next month. We have a few work projects we want to do to make life easier for the children that live here. I'm thankful we're here.

Wai Kru

I still remember my favorite teacher in high school... I can't remember his name but I remember he taught Chemistry and Physics. I loved these subjects because he made them interesting and he cared about me. He had me sit in the front row of the class because he knew I couldn't see the board. I couldn't move until I got my eyes checked.

Teachers are important here in Thailand as well. At the beginning of the school year there is a ceremony called Wai Kru. This "ritual" begins with a welcome and the kings song played. This is the same song that is played at the movie theater before the movie starts. Everyone is required to stand. After the song, a group of Thai students come up front and do chanting. From what I could see, the kids weren't too happy about it. 

The girls on the far right are sisters, Vern & Yong, they are boarders and Yong is fun but a handful at times. 

This photo shows the principal of Main Campus, Thai director of Main Campus (in pink), the headmaster, Thai Director of Primary Campus, Elementary Assist. Principal, and Principal of Primary Campus.


This photo is of Patrick and most of our Residential Advisers. Gretchen from Washington, Ari from Portland (with her tongue out), Audrey from Portland, and Josh from Toronto, Canada. Muyassar is giving Patrick bunny ears. :)

 Here I am sitting beside one of our teachers, Siobhan, our ELL (English Language Learners) Coordinator. She is from Australia and has become a friend here at school.

This is Eric, giving the peace sign, and Mensueng, who is sleeping. He thinks highly of his teachers and loves to listen and learn. 

Stephanie and Vicky who are boarders. Stephanie hates having her picture taken. Today after we played volleyball, Stephanie and I jumped into the pool with all our clothes on. 

Each student makes a bouquet of fresh flowers to give to the teachers and goes up on stage and kneels before a teacher. The teachers will say blessings to the student to wish them a good year. 

Teachers deserve to be recognised and acknowledged for the role they play in the lives of children. I was a part of this ceremony and felt unworthy.  

Meet Jay

Jay was one of our students who graduated last year. His Thai name is Kraiwud Pandan. Don't ask me how to pronounce it because I can't. Jay's story is a bit different from most of our students here. Many are from affluent families who want their children to learn English and be in a less rigorous school environment. Jay's immediate family isn't wealthy but he has an uncle who wanted to help Jay. His clothes were not the best and his shoes had holes in them.

Also, Jay wasn't a great student, B's, C's, and a few F's. What I loved about Jay was that he was the most respectful student I ever met. 

He came to me for help with his college application, Le Cordon Bleu, and a scholarship to the James Beard Foundation. I wasn't hopeful he would get into any school and/or follow through.

This week I sent his uncle an email asking how he was doing. As you can see from the picture, he was accepted to Le Cordon Bleu and is finishing the basic level and is moving on to the intermediate level. I'm so happy for him.