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Past Volunteers |
Jenny's story |
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BIO:
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| Name: |
Jenny Sexton
Age: 23 |
| From: |
London / England |
| Status: |
Completed a 6 month placement in Nakhon Phanom province |
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When I was first asked to write this, I initially had no idea what to write. Things are sometimes so different here and yet sometimes so similar to home. Now that I've been here 3 months sometimes I barely notice the differences. I feel so at home here. I tried reading back through my diary and asking my host family for suggestions. |
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My host Ae suggested I mention sticky rice. She says it's amazing that I eat so much of this north-eastern stable. It's very yummy but at first I was a bit dubious. My initial thought was: 'So you're meant to stick your hand in the wicker box, pull out a small amount, roll it up, stick it to the end of your finger, and then dip it in THAT! Wow.' Closely followed by: 'Where can I get a bowl of cornflakes?' It could only be so bad, and I desperately didn't want to offend anyone so I gave it a try (without the chili paste). Before I knew it, was actually looking forward to sticky rice for breakfast. When I meet new people they tend to ask what Thai food I like most before I can answer, Ae tells them about how much I like sticky rice. They tend to look pleased, and warn me not to eat too much otherwise I'll turn into a Laotian with a flat nose. It was a surprise to me that something so mundane seems to have stuck in the minds of my host family as my number 1 experience. |
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My diary reminded me of 2 main things that I will remember from my experiences here. Firstly is the wonderful hospitality of the Thai people. I have been incredibly warmly welcomed from the moment I arrived. My host family has made me feel very involved and loved. My host Ae has two small children, Bam-bam (3) and Best (7). They always brighten up my day. Bam-bam will grab my wrist after school and teach me how to have fun with whatever happens to be lying about, or the Thai names for her toys. She loves it when I get it wrong and she can endlessly and patiently correct me. |
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The students made me immediately welcome. They are incurably curious despite being initially shy. In my first week here students would call out "Hello" or "Good Morning" constantly, only for me to turn round to reply to find no one there! Once I got a chance to teach and play a few classroom games their shyness has improved a lot. The students are so cheeky and keep me on my toes. We act out scenes quite a lot and they always manage to get in some sort of twist or practical joke. It's not malicious; they just like to have fun. I'm regularly amazed at how far the students will go to be helpful - collecting worksheets, smiling, offering to carry things. They have a lot of respect which is so different from England that it's sometimes a little un-nerving! |
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Secondly was Sports Day. This is probably the most embarrassing out of character thing I've ever done. I had no idea what I'd let myself in for when I agreed to help. I'm a volunteer teacher, right? I came here to. um. teach English?! Wrong. |
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I was woken up at about midnight after just 2 hours sleep. I'd been told 6, but the Thai day has 4 6o'clocks -but I didn't know that yet. We hurried of to the hairdressers where I sat with 12 students waiting for my turn to be caked in white makeup and every single one of my precious curls pulled straight. By the time we'd finished at 7am , I was very tired and was sure I could now sympathize with the plight of Geisha! Breakfast wasn't allowed in case I destroyed the makeup and costume. The other girls looked so beautiful all dressed up. I felt a little shy to be so dressed up and more than a little miss placed. Do don't really expect this when volunteering with dragonfly! |
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We set of with the aid of a brass band for a walk around the centre of town which usually takes 15minutes. 40minutes later we were back at school. In the 30+ degree heat and the thick costume I felt on the verge of passing out, so just stumbled into a seat in the shade. The students march another two times round the playing field before raising the team flags and begin to play Volleyball, Basketball, Football and Takraw one of Thailand's national sports, similar to volleyball except you can use all parts of the body except your hands and arms. It was a wonderful experience, and like everything else I've been involved with since I got here, I feel very privileged to have been allowed to be a part of it.
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