Teaching and the children

Volunteer teaching at Isara foundation.

So as we haven't even really explained why we are in Nong Khai, here goes. We decided that it would be a great experience to do some volunteering in Thailand, and trawling across the web, this was one of the organisations we picked which we didn't have to actually pay to help at. Its really a crazy world when most organisations require a mandatory donation to help out.
So they have a learning centre which we have been working in for six weeks. Local kids come here after school for extra english tuition at no cost. We met some awesome travellers and locals, and enjoyed the time actually living in Thailand, rather than always being on the road.

The learning centre

This about sums up our lifestyle here!

 

Some of the kids we were teaching. 

                                                                 Another class we taught.

Sarah and Anita (another volunteer) went through and organised all the resources. A huge job labeling, and throwing out anything that wasn't useful. The problem is, with such a high turnover of volunteers who are usually only here for between a week and a month, all order and cleanliness is gone after a month or two.

The school had an open day on the first weekend we were there to encourage potential students and sponsors. It was great fun, and involved hundreds of balloons and lots of face paint!

Packets and packets of balloons.

Yet more balloons - in preparation for the open day.

Near the end of our time with Isara, they held a helmet campaign. As it is only semi-legal to wear a helmet in Thailand, the idea was to promote safety etc. The foundation gave away lots and lots of helmets to the public, a really cool idea.

Hmm... I finally found someone who feels like I do before I get my coffee in the morning..

We had the chance to visit a local  catholic orphanage for children with aids. It was really something else, and if anyone was thinking of doing some volunteering it would be such a rewarding place to go.

It really makes you realise how lucky we are at home to have such awesome public health and education systems, and how tough it actually is for some people in the world. I wish I could bring some kids from NZ here, it would be a great way to give them perspective on how fortunate they are.  

Buddies for life!! This little guy was entertained by the camera for a good hour. 

                                        He even managed to find a distort setting to take this photo.

The boy in the orange lost both parents to Aids. He was living under a bridge with his grandfather, who was using him to beg. Its really cool seeing places like this operating and being able to make such a difference in some peoples lives. Without them, these kids would all either be dead or out on the street.