After showering and eating, we had the privilege of speaking with a refugee from Burma.
His name was Jorda. He was quite short, in part from the hunched, withdrawn way he held himself. He was a ethnic Karen born as a Chirstian. He crossed into Thailand after his father died and the family didn't have the money to pay the hospital bills for his sick sister. At the time, he was ten-years old and he had the responsibility to take his sister to the nearest Christian hospital, where she would be treated regardless of her citizenship. Eventually all five of his siblings left Burma, except for his mother, who lived out her years in her country. (At least this was the version of the story that was told, although we would hear a bit more information in the coming days.)
He said that he was happy to live in Thailand and does not dream of going to another country or back to Burma. He is happy with his farming and raising his two young children in this area, near the Burma border, learning both Karen and Thai language. However he expressed concern about explaining to his children why he left his homeland and why he chose not to fight back for ethnic autonomy/independence.
To me it seems quite reasonable not to fight for a piece of lad when the same satisfaction can be found elsewhere. What was difficult to understand was his lack of hope for change in the situation in Burma. For me, hope is the forerunner to action. So even though circumstances may seem grim in Burma, or Thailand, or the US, I always hope that change for the better is inevitable and that I can be part of it.
(The part that Jorda didn't tell us, and the staff at the Foundation don't ask him to, is the story about the members of his family that didn't make it to Thailand. What he said was true, that all his siblings living were now in Thailand. Altogether, Jorda had seven siblings. Five of them are living outside of Burma, one in Norway and the rest in Thailand.
Two sisters were in Burma when soldiers of the military junta stormed the village. Both young women were gang-raped in front of their mother. They were taken to detainment for a short period of time. When they returned home both of the sisters committed suicide.
The eerie part of the story for me is not just in the tragedy for this particular individual, but the idea that just below the surface everyone has been a victim of such tragedies.)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
I lied this is June 19th
June 19th – Today was Wan Kruu (teacher's day), the day when students wai kruu (pay respect to teachers). Personally, I would think that teachers would want a day off. However, this school already had some mentality of a day care, so closing school for a day didn't seem like an option.
As guest, who were also novel in being Westerners, the principal had asked us to sing a song for the children. After much discussion, it was decided that the hokey-pokey would be the easiest for them to learn or participate.
After a very long assembly of prayer and thanking teachers and signing songs, then reading from scripture, and a little more prayer, we were finally asked to perform. What we beheld was a highly amusing sight as two hundred Thai children put their left feet in and out and showed us what it was “all about.” Some could say that it was a waste of time, but the humor of the situation for all parties is probably much more lasting than any work that we could accomplish.
Our work time is from 9 – 4 with a lunch break, but by the time lunched rolled around we hadn't done any work. While eating, we had the pleasure of finding out that we would be performing another English song for the opening ceremony of the school's outdoor agricultural learning center. On the fly, we chose the “Chicken Song” which contains no words, but a fair amount of comical movement. Avi, one of the participants from Seattle, prefaced the songs instructions by saying that this was a traditional chicken song in honor of the agricultural learning center which did in fact contain chickens. In all the bizarreness of the situation, I had a hard time controlling my laughter.
Once the song ended, and a few more formalities passed, we were finally able to work. However, there wasn't enough time to lay the concrete. We did some nominal work in preparation, but eventually the participants dissolved into playing with the children during their recess.
I haven't had much experience with Thai children, but a single sample would suggest that they are very energetic, physical, and resistant to pain. Our game of Frisbee monkey-in-the-middle continually devolved into tugs-of-war between five children or more, most of whom seemed content to wrestle over each other as much as over the Frisbee.
Furthermore, the children had little restraint about jumping on the volunteers. The most hilarious example of this was but Matt, another participant. He had graciously offered one diva of a child who had stolen his sunglasses to ride on his back. After a few paces, other children also wanted to join in. Matt, not being on to break the hearts of children, was soon laden with seven children who brought him to the ground, then release him, only to jump upon him once more when he was upright. People asked him a number of times if he was alright, and he continued to answer in the positive. Again quite humorous to all, even Matt.
In terms of productivity of work, the day did not fair well. In terms of enjoyment and memories, the day faired quite splendidly.
Good times had all around.
As guest, who were also novel in being Westerners, the principal had asked us to sing a song for the children. After much discussion, it was decided that the hokey-pokey would be the easiest for them to learn or participate.
After a very long assembly of prayer and thanking teachers and signing songs, then reading from scripture, and a little more prayer, we were finally asked to perform. What we beheld was a highly amusing sight as two hundred Thai children put their left feet in and out and showed us what it was “all about.” Some could say that it was a waste of time, but the humor of the situation for all parties is probably much more lasting than any work that we could accomplish.
Our work time is from 9 – 4 with a lunch break, but by the time lunched rolled around we hadn't done any work. While eating, we had the pleasure of finding out that we would be performing another English song for the opening ceremony of the school's outdoor agricultural learning center. On the fly, we chose the “Chicken Song” which contains no words, but a fair amount of comical movement. Avi, one of the participants from Seattle, prefaced the songs instructions by saying that this was a traditional chicken song in honor of the agricultural learning center which did in fact contain chickens. In all the bizarreness of the situation, I had a hard time controlling my laughter.
Once the song ended, and a few more formalities passed, we were finally able to work. However, there wasn't enough time to lay the concrete. We did some nominal work in preparation, but eventually the participants dissolved into playing with the children during their recess.
I haven't had much experience with Thai children, but a single sample would suggest that they are very energetic, physical, and resistant to pain. Our game of Frisbee monkey-in-the-middle continually devolved into tugs-of-war between five children or more, most of whom seemed content to wrestle over each other as much as over the Frisbee.
Furthermore, the children had little restraint about jumping on the volunteers. The most hilarious example of this was but Matt, another participant. He had graciously offered one diva of a child who had stolen his sunglasses to ride on his back. After a few paces, other children also wanted to join in. Matt, not being on to break the hearts of children, was soon laden with seven children who brought him to the ground, then release him, only to jump upon him once more when he was upright. People asked him a number of times if he was alright, and he continued to answer in the positive. Again quite humorous to all, even Matt.
In terms of productivity of work, the day did not fair well. In terms of enjoyment and memories, the day faired quite splendidly.
Good times had all around.
June 19th
June 19th – Today was the first day at the work site, which is the playground of the United Christian School. A school that we would later find out offers education to any student, citizen or not. An education without a parochial bent that excludes evolution or encourages assumption science. Except for morning prayers with a heavy mention of “God” and “Jesus,” most of the students maintain their Buddhist or Muslim beliefs.
However, what is unknown is why the Foundation we are joined with wants us to work at this school. The Foundation we are staying with and work with is named Pattanarak, which is a hybrid of two Thai word meaning “development” and “conservation.”
This is one of the many things that I learned during a long morning presentation about what the organization aims to do around development, disease prevention, marginalized peoples-rights, and sustainable development. After a few questions and some group pictures, the founder of the organization leave to return to Bangkok, and we prepare for the first day of work.
The school project wasn't exactly the peak of development work that seemed to be touched on during the morning presentation and that I would be more excited about. Still, there is satisfaction in doing manual labor and knowing that something productive is coming out of it. Alongside us were the regular laborers who tried to direct our work, despite their Thai not being amazing and ours being non-existent.
The work was going well until a group of children from the school saw what we were up to. The children were already amazed to see Westerners, so it was only natural for them to mimic us. What started as one or two children trying to help eventually exploded to thirty children lifting and moving dirt.
I soon began to feel like we were running a little child-labor camp that we couldn't stop. I was glad when the principal finally came out to an end to their work.
We continued to work until four PM, laying down sand to eventually pour concrete over. By the end, I was very dirty and drenched in sweat. Meanwhile, our Thai co-workers, who had done the same things, were amazingly clean.
The shower back at the Foundation was phenomenal and dinner tasted especially great.
A long meeting about development and poverty, with discussion explaining and asking questions about what we were doing sapped my remaining energy,
Sleep never feels as good as after a day of satisfying work.
However, what is unknown is why the Foundation we are joined with wants us to work at this school. The Foundation we are staying with and work with is named Pattanarak, which is a hybrid of two Thai word meaning “development” and “conservation.”
This is one of the many things that I learned during a long morning presentation about what the organization aims to do around development, disease prevention, marginalized peoples-rights, and sustainable development. After a few questions and some group pictures, the founder of the organization leave to return to Bangkok, and we prepare for the first day of work.
The school project wasn't exactly the peak of development work that seemed to be touched on during the morning presentation and that I would be more excited about. Still, there is satisfaction in doing manual labor and knowing that something productive is coming out of it. Alongside us were the regular laborers who tried to direct our work, despite their Thai not being amazing and ours being non-existent.
The work was going well until a group of children from the school saw what we were up to. The children were already amazed to see Westerners, so it was only natural for them to mimic us. What started as one or two children trying to help eventually exploded to thirty children lifting and moving dirt.
I soon began to feel like we were running a little child-labor camp that we couldn't stop. I was glad when the principal finally came out to an end to their work.
We continued to work until four PM, laying down sand to eventually pour concrete over. By the end, I was very dirty and drenched in sweat. Meanwhile, our Thai co-workers, who had done the same things, were amazingly clean.
The shower back at the Foundation was phenomenal and dinner tasted especially great.
A long meeting about development and poverty, with discussion explaining and asking questions about what we were doing sapped my remaining energy,
Sleep never feels as good as after a day of satisfying work.
Monday, June 30, 2008
June 17th
June 17th – We arrived in Bangkok and it is everyone's first day in Thailand except for me and May, a lovely half-Thai, half-Russian agnostic Jew studying at the University of Washington.
Everyone is fascinated by the surroundings, which is reasonable. Thailand can be a sensory overload with bright colors, friendly locals, and spicy cuisine. I try to do my best to ease my fellow travelers into their new environment. My Thai language is rusty but passable, and fantastic in light of the fact that no one else traveling can form a sentence in Thai.
In the morning we head to an opulent hotel for breakfast. I thought it set a bad precedent, but it probably helps to ease the transition. Most individuals order continental-style food, but I savor my green curry with beef.
Unfortunately as our six-hour van ride to our village began my stomach did not enjoy the savoriness of the morning meal. Part of my uncomfortableness was due to the zeal of our driver. He took every opportunity the road provided to pass other drivers, but would fail to maintain the speed after passing them. He seemed to pass no matter the curve of the bend or the steep of the hill. It got to the point where I forgot whether we were supposed to be driving on the right or the left. Still we got to the Foundations site safely.
Much to everyone's surprise, we were staying in a nice enclosed building, with electricity, running water and mosquito netting. I slept quite peacefully, excited for the activities of the following day.
Everyone is fascinated by the surroundings, which is reasonable. Thailand can be a sensory overload with bright colors, friendly locals, and spicy cuisine. I try to do my best to ease my fellow travelers into their new environment. My Thai language is rusty but passable, and fantastic in light of the fact that no one else traveling can form a sentence in Thai.
In the morning we head to an opulent hotel for breakfast. I thought it set a bad precedent, but it probably helps to ease the transition. Most individuals order continental-style food, but I savor my green curry with beef.
Unfortunately as our six-hour van ride to our village began my stomach did not enjoy the savoriness of the morning meal. Part of my uncomfortableness was due to the zeal of our driver. He took every opportunity the road provided to pass other drivers, but would fail to maintain the speed after passing them. He seemed to pass no matter the curve of the bend or the steep of the hill. It got to the point where I forgot whether we were supposed to be driving on the right or the left. Still we got to the Foundations site safely.
Much to everyone's surprise, we were staying in a nice enclosed building, with electricity, running water and mosquito netting. I slept quite peacefully, excited for the activities of the following day.
June 15th/16th
June 15th/16th – Left for Thailand today. Two days vanished in a blur of movies. The first leg of the flight is composed of a trans-oceanic voyage over the international dateline. We followed the sun from Seattle to Tokyo, but everyone on the plane pretended it was time for bed. Except me.
I packed no book, so movies were my escape. I watched three movies – The Counterfeiters, Horton Hears a Who, and 10,000 BC – the first two of which were quite enjoyable.
A two hour lay-over passed quickly thanks to a few long waits in security lines and a bowl of ramen. The second leg consisted of flying mostly south. Two more movies (Under the Same Moon and Definitely, Maybe), a terrible in-flight meal, and 15 minutes of sleep and we arrive.
It is just about midnight by the time we land. I guess it will take another hour to go through customs and get to a bed.
One o'clock AM Bangkok time on the 17th, that is 11 AM June 16th Seattle time. I woke up at 5:45 AM on June 15th to wish my dad a “Happy Father's Day.” I am dead tired, and yet I am still so excited that I wonder if I will be able to sleep.
Pleasant dreams!
I packed no book, so movies were my escape. I watched three movies – The Counterfeiters, Horton Hears a Who, and 10,000 BC – the first two of which were quite enjoyable.
A two hour lay-over passed quickly thanks to a few long waits in security lines and a bowl of ramen. The second leg consisted of flying mostly south. Two more movies (Under the Same Moon and Definitely, Maybe), a terrible in-flight meal, and 15 minutes of sleep and we arrive.
It is just about midnight by the time we land. I guess it will take another hour to go through customs and get to a bed.
One o'clock AM Bangkok time on the 17th, that is 11 AM June 16th Seattle time. I woke up at 5:45 AM on June 15th to wish my dad a “Happy Father's Day.” I am dead tired, and yet I am still so excited that I wonder if I will be able to sleep.
Pleasant dreams!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Made it back to the land of computers
Today the majority of my new friends returned to the reality of life in the states. I have been in Bangkok with them for the past three days and prior to that in a small village in Western Thailand near the Burma border. The entire experience was eye-opening about the way economics plays out on the lives on people who have certain privledges and people who do not. Furthermore, I made some amazing connections.
However, I will be writing all about that in the days/weeks to follow. For this post I just wanted to inform that I am safe, in Bangkok, and look for opportunities for future volunteer work that interests me. (I am also excited to see old friends.)
Also, I have a Thai cell phone for anyone how needs to hear my voice. However, e-mail is a very convenient way to reach me.
Lots of love.
However, I will be writing all about that in the days/weeks to follow. For this post I just wanted to inform that I am safe, in Bangkok, and look for opportunities for future volunteer work that interests me. (I am also excited to see old friends.)
Also, I have a Thai cell phone for anyone how needs to hear my voice. However, e-mail is a very convenient way to reach me.
Lots of love.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Heading off
Tomorrow I leave for Thailand. I left from the United States to Thailand once before, and that was three years ago. I remember being much more apprehensive then. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into or what events would unfold.
Likewise, this time around, I don't know exactly what I am getting myself into or what events will unfold, but I can state with confidence that the apprehensiveness is near minimal. I am excited to the point of giddiness to be starting new adventures.
I can't say for sure what we will even be doing as volunteer work, but to be honest it does weigh heavily on my conscious. The simple fact of doing something new and beneficial and exciting is enough to satisfy any reservations.
I look forward to seeing you all when I return home. Until then, e-mail, calling cards, and letters will have to suffice as communication.
Drinks with former co-workers,
lunch with great friends from Thailand,
and dinner with a best bud to boot.
Good times!
Likewise, this time around, I don't know exactly what I am getting myself into or what events will unfold, but I can state with confidence that the apprehensiveness is near minimal. I am excited to the point of giddiness to be starting new adventures.
I can't say for sure what we will even be doing as volunteer work, but to be honest it does weigh heavily on my conscious. The simple fact of doing something new and beneficial and exciting is enough to satisfy any reservations.
I look forward to seeing you all when I return home. Until then, e-mail, calling cards, and letters will have to suffice as communication.
Drinks with former co-workers,
lunch with great friends from Thailand,
and dinner with a best bud to boot.
Good times!
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