Rainy Monday
You guessed it! The rain poured down again on Monday but we were well accustomed to heavy downfalls by now and we had our breakfast at `Canadian Daves` . It was lovely to see Murray, who joined us from Chiang Mai and Fiona who teaches at Forthview with Louise joining her parents Sheila and Geoff .They had arrived after a very long journey involving missed connections and delays but managed to look remarkably fresh ! Calum had a tummy bug which is a common occurence over here and Alan stayed at the hotel to look after him . Lewis and I enjoyed another day at school. We helped grades 6 and 7 who were beginning to write letters responding to their friends at Pirniehall and they put such a lot of work into them. I have the completed letters to hand out. Pho Cho taught an impressive lesson on the rights of the child making good use of the United Nation book `For Every Child A better World` Children were engaged in animated discussion , art work and writing and came up with most of the key areas that are each child`s human entitlement - food, water, home, education, peace. This felt such an important area for these children to be learning about.
Pho Cho teaching about Children`s Rights
As usual we were treated to a lovely home cooked lunch along with the children. Just enjoy the lunch time video clip. The hospitality is so generous. Lewis and Calum bought all of the children an ice-cream from the local vendor which Calum captured on video and includes the industrious washing up process which you can see for yourself , just click on at bottom of page.The children took the cameras we brought for them home today , to replicate our community art project and take photographs of their life in Mae Sot. We had just finished doing this at the end of June with children and parents at Pirniehall. Lewis reminded everyone how to work the cameras and I was able to show them our completed work in poster form and on a CD and leave copies with them. They know we will produce the same posters using their photographs and send them back for them to display in Say Ta Nar. They were very excited about the cameras and were snapping away to their hearts content before they left school. I`ll be interested to see the developed work.
As usual we were treated to a lovely home cooked lunch along with the children. Just enjoy the lunch time video clip. The hospitality is so generous. Lewis and Calum bought all of the children an ice-cream from the local vendor which Calum captured on video and includes the industrious washing up process which you can see for yourself , just click on at bottom of page.The children took the cameras we brought for them home today , to replicate our community art project and take photographs of their life in Mae Sot. We had just finished doing this at the end of June with children and parents at Pirniehall. Lewis reminded everyone how to work the cameras and I was able to show them our completed work in poster form and on a CD and leave copies with them. They know we will produce the same posters using their photographs and send them back for them to display in Say Ta Nar. They were very excited about the cameras and were snapping away to their hearts content before they left school. I`ll be interested to see the developed work.
Camera happy!
Pho Cho is so interested in learning about ways to improve the curriculum for his children and hearing all the details about how we do things in Scotland. We talked at length about so many important areas which included involving parents, assessment and a differentiated curiculum. He has good but limited English and so I was constantly reviewing how to answer. I know we were communicating but I`m not sure how much of the detail he understood. I saw a glazed eye look at one point which was my cue to stop talking. I have learnt so much from him about the life of Burmese families, the crucial role of the school and dedication to children and education way beyond anything I have ever experienced.
Lunch at school- different to Pirniehall- so quiet!
Some of the parents had kindly handed in sweet cakes and delicacies for us to enjoy with coffee at the end of the day. A parent who lived in the refugee camp arrived with her son who had heart problems and who needed to be operated on. He had previously spent time at school but they obviously felt welcome and stayed to chat and drink tea. As usual we waved children off in their minibus to the loud cries of `see you tomorrow teacher` which is what they always shout to us at the end of the day. It will ring in my ears for a lifetime!
We went home through the day market in Mae Sot where many of our children and their families work as sellers and it is an amazing sight. It is hectic and vibrant and everything imaginable is on sale.The smells and noises, the variety of people, the animals, the cyclists (including us!), the garbage carts are all part of an amazing tapestry. Not to be missed!
Lovely fresh fruit and vegetables
A fellow Celtic supporer in Mae Sot and Lewis found him
Babies travel in the basket on bike!
The refuse collectors recycle everything out of necessity
Exotic fruits - the boys are still enjoying some of them
Colourful stalls everywhere you look
Colourful stalls everywhere you look
Bhuddist monks and temples are to be seen everywhere
Back at hotel-survived cycle through market and the rain is off
Click here to see how quietly the children eat lunch
1 comment:
Minghlaba Mary!
Now I've got two fantastic blog spots to have a wee greet over...
Loving the videos!
It was very special seeing how you and the family hit the ground running in Mae Sot, making the most of every opportunity presented to you!
Having a link with Pho Cho and Nan Lung will open a window on the world for both Pirniehall and Say Ta Nar and despite the initial bureacratic hiccups, has proven to be a fantastic experience for both sides. Watch out Trinity... the boys should have you in their sights!
Looking forward to seeing you all in September!
BEST wishes as ever!
Murray
Post a Comment