During the two weeks following my boyfriend's visit, I volunteered with International Student Volunteers. Watching my boyfriend get on an airplane was just as hard as leaving him behind in Canada for the first time. I was not in the mood to socialize with a whole new group of people again. However, ISV participants are, in my experience, very welcoming and easy to be around. That being said, I want to mention how much I loved my volunteer group.
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| Paige, Me, Behn, Samantha, Samantha, Andrew, Lauren & Gillian |
Lauren, a tough girl from Jersey who really knows how to tell it like it is. Realistic and down to earth, she really helped the group. She was hard working, open minded but still knew how to express herself and not let what's on her mind bother her. I really appreciated her honesty, as it added a touch of realism and made me more comfortable to be uncomfortable with the position we were put in at the time.
Paige, my Colorado fun-loving co-volunteer. She was just so nice, but not too nice, like when it gets annoying. She took the time to always try to be optimistic and clearly had a smile on her face as often as possible. She often lifted the spirit of our situation when times were rough, seeing both sides of an argument and making the best out of most situations. Having her around helped me reflect and do the same. She added a sort of cohesiveness to the group dynamism. Well thought out ISV!
Samantha, a singer like there's no tomorrow! My fellow Canadian volunteer. She was often full of energy and just wanted to get the work done. Often trying to keep spirits up through song or socializing, she really helped keep us all from throwing the towel. On hard days, this girl right here, was a saviour. Although I wanted to shoot her sometimes, because I'm just not that musical, her spirit was whole-heartedly good, and I appreciated it.
Samantha, an optimist like no one could believe. A true Southern Sweetheart. Always seeing the bright side and refusing to complain, because after all, we were in Thailand. Smiley and full of spunk, she could keep me going. She helped the group through her optimism, but also through her curiosity. She isn't shy and was always full of questions. The group truly benefitted from her wandering mind. If you were every looking for a specific answer, Sam knew what question to ask!
Andrew, just about the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Although he looked like a serial killer sometimes, he was a good soul. Optimist, yet again, but showed it in another kind of way. He would often make parallels to home or tell analogies to make the time pass. He was also always willing to lend a helping hand, which I couldn't appreciate more. I had the opportunity to take-on Andrew has my teaching partner during the volunteering. To say the least, I'm bosy. So, I'm rather happy Andrew was so flexible and didn't let my controlling habits stand in his way or ruin his time!
Gillian, a girl with power. This girl didn't take anything from anyone. Tough, powerful and she knew how to voice her opinions. Unfortunately, she continuously was struck with misfortunes, but she kept working through them! I cannot believe how strong this girl is! Definitely part of the group muscle.
Behn, a man you is clearly misunderstood. Although I often gave him a hard time with the brutal truth and my harsh opinions, he was definitely needed in our group. He injured himself early on in the volunteering, but still wanted to participate and help out any way he could. This kind of show of determination help the group dynamism.
Kaptan! Our group leader. He was truly wonderful. He was full of worldly knowledge, beyond his years, and he was full of sarcasm. His dry humour always left the group will a good chuckle and lightened the mood. However, he was very straight forward and realistic. This is the kind of group leader we needed. Not one filled with blind optimism and fakeness. Kaptan had to be the best leader we could have asked for, really.
We volunteered at the DEPDC school, in Mae Sai, Thailand, teaching English to all levels and building a stone wall (more like the foundation of a stone wall) around the compound.
Teaching was an absolutely eye-opening experience. It was difficult, don't misread me, but it was beyond rewarding. The children at this center are children without passports, birth certificates and other essential documents. They, in other words, cannot venture beyond established checkpoints, where most of the state schools would be situated. They come from poor homes in North Thailand and Burma, with little to no opportunity to escape. Some of these children are even at risk of being sold to the human trafficking trade, and would eventually be untraceable. This center gives the children something to look forward to; an education, friends, family, activities, smiles, and mostly, a way out. Some children would come to school wearing the same thing every day, some can't talk, some have physical deformities and some have deep internal struggles. Yet, they come to school every day, with smiles and high hopes. These children were inspiring. They were a group of kids who truly wanted to learn, hanging on almost every word we said, and just wanted the chance to play. It was because of this experience that I want to teach English as a second language for the rest of my life. These are the children who taught me appreciation. These children showed me how to love life, no matter what hand it has dealt me.
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We also helped to build a wall around the compound. Unfortunately, we were only able to establish one part of the foundation on a small part of one side while we were there. The work was rigorous and everything was made from scratch. We helped build the skeleton through bending wires with old-school tools. We also helped mix cement by hand and carry it in buckets to where we needed to fill. We experienced a life without advanced construction technology. I would have to say that this hard, hands-on work offered me a sense of appreciation for what I have at home. The workers are incredibly skilled and talented, not to mention determined. I am sincerely glad I had the opportunity to work with such a fantastic group of Thai and Burmese people.
I truly enjoyed my experience with ISV. That being said, when volunteering, one must always keep an open mind and leave a little wiggle room. Things aren't always going to go as expected, but you're in beautiful place, with lovely people who appreciate what you are doing beyond what you can comprehend. Keep smiling and don't let anything get you down. You're doing what is needed for people who actually need it, and that is worth every ounce of your work alone.
My eyes have seen what it's like to be on the other side. I'll thank the universe everyday for being blessed with the eyes I have, and not the eyes of another,
Meeca
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