Orphanage time

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Bangkok

Before heading off on our weeks voluntary placement we had a few days in Bangkok. On the Saturday we headed off to the floating markets. Shops lined the banks of the canal along with numerous floating markets. Floating along with vendors grabbing hold of your boats to sell you there produce was great fun. There was a real buzz to the place. As with everything else in South East Asia there appeared to be no rules on the river resulting in some entertaining situations with boats. I thought that I had been quite adventurous with my food out here and had sampled a lot of the Thai cuisine. However, after seeing the produce a number of the vendors had on sale I was sadly mistaken. The smells were incredible and I could have stayed there all day and just munched my way through the various foods - sadly that was not to be.

One of the final things we wanted to see in Bangkok before we left was the grand palace. A stunning selection of buildings and temples. It still fails to amaze me how ornately decorated some of the Thai shrines can be. A bit ott in some cases but nevertheless impressive.

Singburi Orphanage

On Sunday afternoon we left Bangkok and headed north to Singburi for our orphanage placement. The set up is not what we were expecting but despite a few initial reservations it is turning out to be quite entertaining. We are staying in a small set up called lemon house with a number of other students. Some are there to volunteer in the orphanage others are on Gap Year like programs.

On Monday we spent our first day in the orphanage and opted to give teaching a go. Unfortunately, the set up isn't that well organized and the guy that is supposed to be our coordinator is useless and drunk most of the time - not much help. We were literally thrown into a class room without any introduction to the place or what standard the kids were at. We tried playing number and word games with the children and although we had some success it seemed like it would have been much more beneficial if the kids had their own teachers. However, they decided to walk out the room as soon as we entered. The children in general were very well behaved but the orphange lacks discipline and when lessons are going on regardless who they are taken by there is always a kids running between classrooms or just heading outside. Although, the children seem to be well cared for it is so sad to see that they are missing out on an education.

The rest of the week has however proved far more productive. We opted to do construction. Not something we had initially thought of or wanted to do but it was much more rewarding and felt like we were actually helping the children rather than attempting to teach them English that either they weren't ready for or already knew.

Tilling a floor, building a wall and painting various classrooms have all been on the cards. Brick laying was probably the most interesting so far and not sure I am the most skilled person in the world. We are just praying the wall stays up!

Our week at the orphanage has been great fun and that is mostly down to the people we have met whilst working here. There is a group of eight of us volunteering and we have all ended getting on like a house on fire. Lots of laughter, paint fights and games have poker have lead to a very enjoyable week.

This is my last blog of the trip and I can't believe that we fly home on Saturday night. So sad. We have met some lovely people out here and have seen some amazing things. Life back home in England is going to seem very strange, although I am looking forward to washing the contents of my rucksack. The washing machine is a luxury that I feel I am no in need of.

See you all soon!!

Lots of Love
Becky
Xxx

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