We Moved.

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“I will miss: the smiling faces of the Thai people, the hugs and outreached hands of the children, and much more.”

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Editor’s note: Renae R. participated in Thailand Orphanage Program.

Thanks for the post Renae.

This past week was a bit different–no kids at the orphanage provide a very quiet work day. I did, however, on Thursday go to a different school with a couple other volunteers. It was interesting to see the differences between the orphanage and this school–we had visited this school during orientation week, but it was nice to see it again after being at the orphanage for so long and having to opportunity to teach English at this school and see the differences was also nice. This school is much better off than the orphanage; they have computers in the classrooms, their buildings are in much better shape, and they have so many more materials. It was nice to be at that school for a day, but I feel so much more needed at the orphanage and plan to spend the duration of my time here working there. Today I worked with my roommates on finishing a small painting project we had started last week and once that was done we started a new project in the classrooms. The new project entails painting “door” “window” “floor” “ceiling” “wall” etc. in the classrooms.

As my time here draws near, I am starting to realize the numerous things I will miss: eating with spoons and forks (no knives), drinking from bowls, the lizards in our room–yes, I will miss them, the children (obviously), the insane amounts of laughter that bounds from room number one when all three of us girls are there, card games with cookies and coffee, the sunsets, our horrifying bus rides to and from the orphanage, the smiling faces of the Thai people, the hugs and outreached hands of the children, and much more.
-from Renae R., Thailand Orphanage Program

Further information about Thailand Orphanage Program can be found at http://globalservicecorps.org/site/thailand-orphanage-care/
Feel Free to call or email GSC with your questions at
Thailand@globalservicecorps.org

Every day is filled with hugs, smiles, waves, laughs, and “I love you!”

Editor’s note: Renae R. participated in Thailand Orphanage Program.

Thanks for the post Renae.

“While scraping away paint the other day a girl from the orphanage came over and began to help. After a couple of minutes I felt a tug on my arm and looked over. Etched in the paint was “I love you” She smiled and pointed to the words she had just written. Speechless. How do you even begin to find words for an act such as that. Now, every day is filled with hugs, smiles, waves, laughs, “Lenae, Lenae!!!!”, “I love you”, and so much more. Tuesday night I spent the night at the orphanage with two other volunteers. After work ended at three we went over and watched the kids dance and then joined after a bit. It went from traditional Thai dancing to a hip-hop dance-off. We, the volunteers and I, were pushed into the middle of the circle during the dance off and began to embarrass ourselves with no looking back. The kids cheered and began dancing with us. We spent the night in one of the rooms–there are about 20 girls in one room and they all sleep on the floor. Mosquito nets are hung from a string and blankets are pulled out from under their hanging clothes. It is amazing to think how little they have and yet how happy they truly are. Always smiling, always grateful, always happy. Always.”

-from Renae R., Thailand Orphanage Program

Further information about Thailand Orphanage Program can be found at http://globalservicecorps.org/site/thailand-orphanage-care/
Feel Free to call or email GSC with your questions at
Thailand@globalservicecorps.org

What Our Volunteers Say About Buddhist Immersion Program

Editor’s note: Tom C. participated in Thailand Buddhist Immersion Program. Thanks for the post Tom.

Within a couple days of arrival we were already becoming deeply immersed in Thailand, Buddhism and the life of the Wat.   I think you can go as deep as you’d like there.  The Wat is a vibrant and important part of the regional Buddhist community with many mediators and students coming to attend events and visit.   The facilities are lovely.  There is a huge new temple under construction now.  The sleeping arrangements for teachers are simple and can be a little uncomfortable at first, but following the 8 precepts makes the experience really special.   Participating in morning alms walk and the evening chanting makes the day really magical.  The teaching isn’t very difficult and the students, the monks and hill tribe staff are very anxious to learn English and try really hard.  The mediation instruction is really incredible; Phra Bart does an amazing job and gives as much individual attention as needed.  The spiritual insights gained are incredible.  Be sure to allow time at the end of your volunteer experience to travel a it in Thailand on your own, after you’ve worked at the Wat for a few weeks you’ll feel very comfortable bouncing around the country on your own.

-From Tom C. for Thailand Buddhist Immersion Program

Further information about Thailand Buddhist Immersion Program can be found at http://www.globalservicecorps.org/site/thailand-buddhist-immersion/
Feel Free to call or email GSC with your questions at
Thailand@globalservicecorps.org

Checking in from the ‘Land of Smiles’

Editor’s note: Jon B. participated in Global Service Corps Integrated program in the summer of 2008. Thanks for the post Jon.

 

To start off with a typical phrase such as, “if there were one word to sum up Thailand…” would be a lazy attempt to capture the true nature of this unique country. With a total of about two months spent here and having accomplished more than I thought myself capable of, I still can’t help but feel like a stranger. Sounding like a hired promoter for this blog entry, I can honestly say that GSC has guided me through an amazing experience; one that will forever stay in my memories. Eric played a big role in making sure I had the time of my life. This guy deserves an award for all he has been through whether it came to planning trips, planning homestays, organizing the HIV camps, meeting up with volunteers to get them to where they have to be, or even simply having him check up on you from time to time. He is an extremely dedicated individual who will be more than willing to help you with any situation. Greenway also plays a big part in homestay situations and is actually the first place you will be staying for Orientation.

Global Service Corps has gone Web 2.0!!

Global Service Corps is pleased to announce our new online presence on social networking sights. We now have pages on facebook, flickr, youtube and wiserearth. Join our groups to keep updated on GSC developments, connect with other volunteers, watch videos and discuss your GSC experience. Follow the links below to view and join our groups. We hope to see you there!

      

The Sights and Smells of Bangkok

Kathleen – or Katy, as she came to be known by her Thai hosts because that name is easier to pronounce – came to Thailand a couple of months ago. She arrived less than a week after I did, and she hit the ground running. She didn’t show any signs of jet lag, other than having a reduced appetite. We did a truncated tour of Bangkok, due to her arriving a bit late. But we made the most of the time, visiting the Jim Thomson House, Grand palace and Wat Pra Gaew, as well as other sites. Kathleen got chance to feel oriented with the various transportation systems in Bangkok, such as the sky train, the subway, riverboat and getting around in taxis.

Reflections from the RJ33 Orphanage in Thailand

Editor’s Note: Lynne G. spent seven weeks in Thailand in the Orphanage Care Program in the Summer of 2006. Lynne stumbled across the GSC Thailand blog and submitted these excerpts from her journal. Thanks a lot Lynne!

6/23/06 – Middle of the trip.

Last night I played Frisbee and Duck, Duck, Goose with my kids. It was so much fun. They are all such good kids. They laughed and laughed and played so well together. Today after class they all asked me to play again after school, but I’m leaving at 2:30 for Bangkok (for a week long vacation to Cambodia). It broke my heart. I really don’t want them to feel abandoned next week when I don’t show up. I literally am on the verge of tears. I don’t want to go. Also, they loved the chocolates yesterday. They’re just unbearably cute. Well, just too unbearably cute to leave. They are already asking when I can come back to Thailand. I want to come back as soon as I get home.

7/21/06 – My final journal entry. (Written on the plane on the way home)

… I’m just terrified that I’m going to forget. Thai… my kids… their names… their laughs… Thai time… mai pen rai… the taste of pad thai in the morning. That you don’t need a flushing toilet or hot water to have a fully functioning bathroom. That a/c is overrated. That a good sharp spoon does more than a knife any day. The kindness in Pi Miu’s eyes. The mischief in Khing’s laugh. The bond of sisterhood with Aaron (my co-volunteer) The bond of family with the others (volunteers). Mangos, ramboutan attacks, whisky and watermelon, kanom of various sorts. Bumpy bus rides. Ipod advertisements. Knowing that saying “mai kaw jai” might speak to words but not emotions. Without a common language, a soul is infinitely easy to understand. Kindreds. The enthusiasm of youth. The hope of a better life. I hope they end up with a better life. I’ve never said “stay in school” more in my life. Nor have I ever felt as much like it might not be a reasonable request. Bangkok is on the corner of the screen. Soon it won’t even be labeled. Honestly I’m afraid that everything will go back to normal when I get back. I’m afraid that this will be reduced to a simple anecdote. But… it’s people and emotions and thoughts and feelings. It’s a burning desire. A discovery. I can try new things. A Thai mindset. Face the world with a smile. Especially when it seems most dismal.

 

A Glimpse Into The Buddhist Immersion Program

I have been quite busy setting up the upcoming HIV/AIDS awareness camps in Bangkok, so I have a bit of catching up to do with the blog. I will be blogging more regularly, I promise! I am going to begin catching up by recapping some of my experiences with the volunteers, beginning with Jake. Jake was already in Thailand when I first arrived, teaching English and studying Buddhism at a wat near his homestay in Inburi. Before he left the GSC program he wanted to study meditation, and for this he went to Rachaburi and then to the host wat. I went there to visit him and to meet his teacher, Phra Barton. “Phra” means monk in Thai. Phra Barton, or “Bart”, as he likes to be called, is an American monk who has been in Thailand for seven years. A master meditation teacher, Phra Bart is very friendly and eager to assist students in their practice. There are two types of meditation taught there. Unique techniques are used for teaching Tranquility Meditation (Somadha) and Insight Meditation (Vipassana), which lead to peace of mind and transcendent wisdom. Jake admitted that it took some getting used to, but he really came to like the technique and said it was actually easier to maintain focus, particularly under the guidance of Phra Bart.

Pick Your Cliche

Editor’s Note – Shirine M. participated in a 9-week HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program in Thailand. Here’s a little bit about what she learned while in-country. Thanks for the post Shirine.

 

About half way into my volunteer commitment, I realized that anyone of about five clichés could define my experience. Que sera sera. Let it be. It’s about the journey, not the destination. Even Shit Happens. Gone were the days of neatly planned and executed To Do lists. Gone were the days of being at least relatively in control of my time, my movements, my individual autonomy. Why spend the time struggling to understand the plan when it would only change? Why get upset when my best-laid plans are derailed by something seemingly irrelevant or unimportant? Why not just take it as it comes? So I did! And life got a whole lot better.

Adopting a more laize-faire attitude served this Type A control freak well. Not only did my frustrations diminish, but I was suddenly able to do things that I never in a million years would have imagined as part of my workday. Like sing and dance at a training session for community health volunteers. If you ask my kids, “Can your mom dance?” the answer will be a resounding “No!” As for my singing, well, my older sister says I sound like a dying hyena. But sing and dance I did! And, surprisingly, I had a lot of fun doing it, mostly because my audience was so delighted. (But let’s be honest. I’m in Thailand. Who’s gonna know?)