I chose to go to Thailand the second I saw the poster in the hallway at Brescia College. There was never a question as to whether I could afford it or not, I would do whatever fundraising was needed in order to get me there. The thought of flying half way around the world was tempting, but the thought of volunteering at an orphanage half way around the world was the clincher. It was everything I expected and more.
We were greeted by a tired yet smiling Dan who would be our tour guide for the next 24 hours until we arrived at Baan Dada. He was most helpful in getting us to our hotel and translating Thai whenever we needed it. He also showed us around the beautiful city of Kanchanaburi. When we finally made it to Baan Dada we were greeted whole heartedly by smiling children and mothers all eager to take our bags and move us into the volunteer house. That's when I was sure this trip was going to be one to remember.
Although we did plan out some activities before heading to Thailand, nothing can ever be set in stone when kids are involved! Martin and Dan were most helpful in guiding us into activities that the kids would enjoy and other helpful tasks around Baan Dada. We divided up the assortment of gifts we brought and figured out how we could make fun with them, and then planned our Festival Weekend in which Whispering Seed and The 3 Pagodas Orphanages would be joining. We got the kids super excited as well and planning their performances to do at the Talent Show at the Festival.
A special task we had was to make the Multi-Purpose Hall look more inviting. We painted the walls white (which took a solid 3 coats of paint!) then painted an amazing mural which incorporated all the children's hands as the petals of flowers. It will always be there on the wall to remind everyone that we were there! That was one accomplishment I am very proud of. I most definitely do not believe I have any artistic talent in my blood but I put all my effort into those flowers and vines to make the Baan Dada Rec Hall look beautiful!
Our group also got to try our best at making clay bricks to help in the construction of a new house. That was definitely a task I wouldn't get to do back at home, it was quite an experience! Again it was something that will always be at Baan Dada, and if I am lucky enough to go back I can say "I helped build that house!".
I can't truly imagine a better experience than I got at Baan Dada. Dragonfly, with Martin and Dan, is an amazing organization; extremely helpful, friendly and encouraging. The atmosphere at Baan Dada is so warm, the children are so happy and outgoing, and the mothers are so accommodating and caring. Dada himself is also one of the most caring men I have met; always smiling and eager to help everyone! I really hope that one day I will get to return to Thailand, and especially to Baan Dada to volunteer again with Dragonfly, and I hope that it continues to grow and succeed as an organization.
