Maechan and the beautiful kids!

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Well, after an uneventful flight to Chaing Rai (1,000+ kms north of Bangkok) last Tuesday (23rd Nov), we landed to a welcoming party from the Maechan Children's Home. 15 of us piled into 2 x vehicles, some more comfortable than others (!!) and drove into Chiang Rai for lunch which consisted of rice, rice, rice, chicken, chilli, pepsi & rice 😊

After arriving at the Mae Chan Children's Home we sorted out where we were all sleeping and settled in and starting familiarlising ourselves with our environment. Toilets were different and some of us had to learn how to squat - not me, as I was being housed in the main house with western loos & showers 😊 Very happy about that!

When the children came home from school there was lots of excitement about these strange people who had arrived from Australia. The kids initially were very shy and wary of us and it took a few days for them to warm to us. They are the most adorable kids. All so beautifully dressed and well behaved. They all have a story which consists of sadness no doubt, but they are loved in this home, and they are all full of a joy that I have rarely seen in the western world. it is such a privelage to live life with them for a little while and share their perspective on life. They have nothing materially, but they are so happy and grateful to be given the opportunity to grow in the Mae Chan Children's Home they make the most of every moment. They are hard workers and leave for school at 7.30am. They all have chores to do which they do so without complaint and they all caome home and do their homework, have tea, shower and then have english lessons (with us) and worship & prayer time until 9.30pm-ish before the head to bed before they do it all over again! It is a very structured life but they seem to thrive. Amazing experience to be here.

I will share about our trip into the Ahka village another time, but, once again, amazing, amazing, amazing.

Love to all. xxx

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Photos

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The road in to Chiang Rai after we landed.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The road into Maechan - about 20 minutes north of Chiang Rai

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The girls dormitory.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The dining hall.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The home had 2 x vehicles that transported the kids to and from school among other things.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
We counted 27 kids coming out of this vehicle! lol

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The kids on the first afternoon after we had arrived. They were shy at first, but very respectful with their 'Wai' :)

Maechan, Northern Thailand
We tried to teach the kids some English using puppets. They laughed more than learnt I think!

Maechan, Northern Thailand
Some of the hand made puppets one of our team members made for the trip :)

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The puppets again! They were a hit :)

Maechan, Northern Thailand
Gorgeous kids

Maechan, Northern Thailand
One of our team members with a couple of the older girls.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
All of the kids have chores to do each morning & afternoon.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
The kids are adorable :)

Maechan, Northern Thailand
Maechan markets. Bartering is a part of everyday life in Thailand.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
We went shopping at the Maechan markets. This is where the daily shopping is done for 50 children!

Maechan, Northern Thailand
Maechan markets. Toads - Mmmmm...not! They weren't on our menu but worthy of a phot!

Maechan, Northern Thailand
Maechan markets. You could buy every imaginable fresh fruit or veg in this market. And some that you couldn't imagine! :)

Maechan, Northern Thailand
Maechan markets again. Fish things!

Maechan, Northern Thailand
We taught the kids some of our songs in English.

Maechan, Northern Thailand
One of my sponsor kids.

Comments

[David Grew]

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What a nice pics of beautiful kids! I presume that the kids originally were very introverted and cautious of us and it took a few days for them to temperate to us. Thanks dude :)