Volunteering at the schools...

And so the festive season came and went, and now we are well into January, the sun is shining and we can all look forward to Easter!
New year was a non event here, as I know it can be anywhere in the world, for some reason I expect it to be better than it ever seems to turn out.
I spent new years day walking along the Mekong river front which is pretty, there were hundreds of local families doing the same, I sat and watched them having a nice day together.
I was happy when the weekend was over and I could do something productive, on Mon 2nd, we started to prepare the classroom walls at the learning centre ready for them to be painted the following weekend.
The rest of the week was as usual, going to the village school one hour Wed morning and 2 hours on Friday morning.
We do our best there although its so difficult as the level of teaching and discipline is almost non existent. Its very sad, as the kiddies are lovely but almost feral as they are left to run around and entertain themselves most of the day.
When I questioned this, I was told that that is not unusual for Thailand, and often the Teachers are not even trained but have been voted in by the villagers as has the Headmaster of this school. Most times we see him he is sweeping up piles of leaves, the 'teachers', (when they are there) are usually chatting with one another nowhere near the children or playing games on the internet, it is such a pity as the children have no hope of a decent education.
When we arrive at the school, none of the children are sitting in a classroom, they are all running around playing outside, if they are inside they are using the classrooms as playgrounds.
We have to go hunting for them and get them settled down into their correct classes which takes at least 10 minutes..

On Friday, I was given a class of 13 x 6 year olds for 2 hours, thankfully I managed to get a couple of the other volunteers to help but it was still a struggle to keep them under control and amused for that length of time. We read to them, sang, got them colouring and played games, and attempted to do letter sounds with them, the only time they really settled down and concentrated (for 15 minutes) was when they did some colouring which they all seemed to enjoy

                                                These photos are the calm after the storm!

These 2 boys were waiting for the only felt tip pen.

Very proud!

Aimee from Birmingham and Jackie from the States gave me a helping hand, phew!

At 12 noon the lunch bell sounds and the children all scaramble to the lunch hall over sand and rubble (no health and safely here)

 To be served rice slop, I mean soup...

The children add their own flavourings, spices etc.

And sit where they like to eat it

The girls favoured tables...

And so, we left the children eating their lunch and that day, there was only one teacher on site for around 55 kiddies aged 5-11, there had been 8 of us which is more than usual but quite honestly they would benefit if the ratio was a one to one.

Some of the 'long term' volunteers have been going to the school 3 times a week for 6 months and feel exhausted as there is no back up from the school and their progress is limited due to the lack of education when they are not there. Interesting  stuff.

This weekend we have been painting the classrooms of the learning centre where children come every day between 4-7 (depending on age) and learn English. I enjoyed getting into something pratical and energetic as I have not been doing much in the form of excercise.

                                                                          Action shot!

     Every one got stuck in, Simon fom England, Ka from Scotland

Anita from the Statas and Ilonka from Australia

June from Haywards Heath,

yes really!   Vincent from Germany, first  time away from home and in his first week he fell off a moped and has a very bad knee injury with stitches, bless. (he hasnt't told his Mum)

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica from Berlin

The very green feature wall in the largest classroom, that will ensure the kids stay alert!

 

Fred from the States is busy in what was an old store room, turning it into a library.

Thanks to a past Isara volunteer who encouraged people to donate childrens books, there are literally hundreds of wonderful books that the children can borrow and take home to read.

It's been a really good experience seeing how many people give up their time to help others less fortunate, and many are very passionate about what they do.

 

 

By next week I will have been here for a month and have decided it's time to move on. I have enjoyed the volunteer work but the town is dull and there is too much free time  that's hard to fill. 

Not sure where I shall go yet but I have a week or so to decide, the joy of travelling.

 

 

 

 

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