I attempted to upload pictures but it was taking too long. So, go here to look at the coolest pics you'll ever see. (maybe a bit of an exaggeration?)
Genevieve and I made it to the orphanage on Sunday night. It is much cooler here than in Chiang Mai so it is possible to be outside during the day. Everything here is so beautiful. Every inch is covered in something green and growing.
The children are amazing. They are all so cute and loving. They pretty much take care of themselves and each other. Tomorrow they will start going to school in the city. Genevieve and I are going to teach English one on one to about 4 people each. I'm really excited to start working and teaching except for the fact that I have NO idea how to do it. My respect for teachers has grown a lot since being here.
It is very humbling being here with the kids and seeing how they live and what their lives are like. Most of them have some family, but their Mom or Dad can't afford to send them to school so they are living here. Today we had a little art class and we had them all draw what they wanted to be when they grow up. Some wanted to be nurses, a hair stylist, a tour guide (tourism is the big business here, most Thai people go into it. It's a love hate relationship because it's a job, but many could be doing better things.), or something like Iron Man, spider man etc.
There are so many bugs here. There are always three or four Geckos in our room. Last night I turned over my pillow and a Gecko was on the other side. I took my pillow outside and was trying to shake it off but it just kept running around the pillow. It got a little too close to me and of course I threw the pillow onto the ground right into a pile of ants. Most of you know that I Hate ants. A lot. There was a frog in our bathroom one morning, and there are always a few spiders and moths hanging out by the shower. I was getting a mento from an already open pack and a bunch of tiny ants came out and up my arm. I kept finding them crawling on me for a while after that. I am slowly getting used to all of this, and it really isn't too bad. Overall it is fun a beautiful, everyone is so so nice.
p.s.
If you have any suggestions of how I can teach English to someone who speaks none let me know! Keep in mind that I don't speak any Thai...
If you are teaching young children, use lots of pictures and songs to drill lessons into their minds. Also, see if there are any internet communities to use as resources. I work in Korea teaching English and there is a website called Waygook.org. Hopefully there is something similar for you to use. If you can learn anything about their interests and culture, don't be afraid to use it in class. The more interest you show in their way of life, the more interest they'll have in class if you can apply it. Last, make it as simple and as fun as possible that also allows them to practice what they learn. It won't always be easy to do so, and it does take a lot of practice, but it will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to really increase your tolerance for bugs by living there!
ReplyDelete