New Place, New People, New Experiences
As I came down from the bus and stepped on to this place, I knew immediately that this place was different from where I lived. Although this place is still in our country Thailand, it was surrounded by mountains and woods with no any kinds of phone signal
I had met the children here. They might be different to me, but they had full of joy and were happy to see me and welcomed me warmly. I had the reason to be here: to meet them, to play with them, to help them, and to share and give what I have to them.
Many students from the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University had a one-day English camp to teach English and do activities with the children here in Ban Thumhin Border Patrol Police school in Ratchaburi. They,the students, also had the feast with the children here, served them the herbal drink and ice-cream, and donated them the money and the stationery. These are what the students from Faculty of Communication Arts did; however, what they felt and experienced is something different.
“Some children here are Karen, and still studying in Grade 1 to Grade 6, which made me prejudge once that I might have difficulties in teaching English because of the communication barrier and their obstinacy, but when I met them and started my teaching to them, I knew I was wrong: they were cute, friendly and polite. What I really felt impressive and unforgettable is when the older children held the younger children’s hand, walked from the classroom to the cafeteria and had lunch together. This shows their brother-sister hood among this warm society.”PiraornSaereesithipitak, Head of English camp said.
The students from Chulalongkorn University, in addition to the experience they got from this camp by teaching, doing activities, helping the children and more, they realized the differences between them and the children there, like place, lifestyles, socials, education, etc.; however, no matter what the differences are, these differences can be overlooked, and can make the civilized students and the borderline children share and have fun together.
“I’m happy that I had this opportunity to hold this English camp and experience what I saw, did, and felt from either the borderline children, including Karen children, or campmates. If I have this opportunity one more time, I’ll definitely join and go to this place again.”Piraorn said.
