I think Tom and I let our ambitions run away with us- after the first day volunteering, when we mainly observed their teacher with them and then jumped in to lead them through a worksheet (a counting exercise with apples, birds, and cigarettes.) No, REALLY. The highlight was the teacher asking the boys in the class to go to the front of the room and recite the answer for the cigarette question. "How many?!?!" And a rousing chorus from 12 Thai boys, aged 8-9: "ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE CIGARETTES." "HOW MANY??" "ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE CIGARETTES!!!!!!!!!" Oh my gosh. I was dying thinking, "this is soooooooo wrong."
Anyway, Tom and I did have high ambitions after that- we came home and designed what we believed to be one lesson plan for the next day- teaching them evening phrases ("It is eight o'clock. I brush my teeth") and making signs for each phrase, designing a "human clock" game and planning out hand motions to the song "Dream a little dream of me" to teach them. The next day, armed with our visual aids and lots of confidence, we descended upon the classroom. And made it....approximately 10% through our lesson plan. Apparently we had planned enough activities to last four weeks in a Thai classroom. At least we have something to look forward to :)
The most unexpected feeling that has arisen so far came our first day in the school, before we even made it into the classroom and while we were watching one of the classes march in the courtyard. (Marching is very big here.) I started thinking about the idea of being a US citizen and how, quite often, I associate a little bit of shame with that. We drive big cars, we waste food and energy, our leaders can be quite faulty, we are a culture of excess, and we gave the world McDonalds. Gosh- I'm SORRY!!! I always feel apologetic when in other countries, especially around educated people, for the faults of the US. But when I was standing there, about to meet the children, I remembered that I was the example of the US to them- that the steady flow of CCS volunteers they meet form the real crux of their understanding of US citizens. And I know the volunteers who came before me must also be kind, smart, and giving people- so it seems no wonder the children welcome "Americans" with open arms. And where did I learn to be a kind, smart, giving person? In the US. I learned about service, volunteerism, education, and giving back to the world- in the US. We may be a megalith with problems, but we're also a megalith full of positive people striving to make a difference in the world, and use the US power for good. So, for once, I'm not going to apologize for America. Not every country expedites volunteers the way the Peace Corps does- AmeriCorps, CCS, etc! We have a unique opportunity to be of service, and we seize it. I think it's actually quite amazing.
And then- we went to an afternoon briefing on Thailand's universal healthcare system- and immediately I was embarassed to be a US citizen.
The actual briefing was incredible- Thailand's National Health Security Office is housed in a super futuristic building the size of three or four airplane hangars, put together- all done in white, with these soaring ceilings. We were treated impeccably, down to individualized platters of
fruit and tea sandwiches. We met with the Director and Deputy Director of the NHSO, who led us through a presentation about their public health care system. The trend towards universal health care had started in 2000 here in Thailand- by 2002, it was signed into law, and has grown and matured in the 8 years since its passing. The coverage provided is astounding, and like any piece of legislation, it has clearly worked through various kinks and became better over the years. Needless to say, we had plenty to ask during the Q&A period, and I think our entire group really left feeling that the US is dragging its feet in debate and quarrel over something we do sorely need. Part of the discussion with the NHSO, however, did center around the cultural differences between Thailand and the US. Thailand operates under a "mai pen rai" attitude- don't argue, let things go, don't rock the boat- and that translates to their political system. The US was clearly founded on....well, an argument!- and that has clearly set the tone for the two hundred+ years to follow. And thus, our legislation does not get through quite so quickly. Which can often be a disappointment.Well, off to our placement sites again! And a lecture with a buddhist monk this afternoon. Really, I'm not kidding when I say I'm not coming home....
xo
Di
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