Well the first week is over in a rush, feels like I have been here months. Still staying at the Ban Ferang guest house so not immersed in the local culture fully yet. Have spent the last three days sorting out the Trust’s network at the Resource Centre in Khun Yuam, had some fun with Thai Telecom!!!
What do I think so far? Fabulous, friendly, smiling people. It might be because I am a ‘Farang’, a foreigner but it seems like everybody is interested in who you are, what you do and where you come from. People here are gentle and calm, noticeably so after the frantic life in Brighton.
Great example, last night I ate at a little restaurant in town, a tasty soup with Moo meat [that’s pig]. Afterwards we were gagging for something sweet and asked for “chocolate”, pancakes were out of the question. They did not have any so we sat in sugar deprived misery, until the restaurant owner reappeared on her moped with armfuls of chocolate treats, now that’s service.
Met the headmaster and deputy head of the school today, very formal but interesting and a good way to begin the week. I had to get my ‘King’s Tee-Shirt’ today. A lovely bright yellow polo shirt carrying the royal emblem, it signifies respect and love for the king and is widely worn on Monday’s.
Every day has a different dress code, apparently Wednesday’s is Boy Scout/Girl Guide day! I think not, bearing in mind the European implications of middle aged men wearing scout uniforms. Alas I shall be depriving the Thai community of that particular image.
Discovered today that I won’t get by without learning at least a moderate amount of Thai, problem is you cannot even guess at what things mean and you certainly can’t read it. Sign language is fine but not when you’re trying to be a useful member of a community, not just a tourist.
Now I have completed the PC networking task I am waiting for the ‘real’ hands-on assignments to begin. Apparently we are going to survey a potential site for a school dormitory over the next few days at a place called Ban Satop Nua. It’s is not just the building project that has to be priced and planned, but also extras like mosquito nets, blankets, etc.
Many Karen children live too far from school to be able to attend as transport is an immense problem here especially in the rainy season. Thus, the charity builds and sponsors dormitories where these children can live during the term, getting around the transport problem.
We will also be looking into the current rice storage strategy. The Karen people have communal rice banks that villagers can borrow rice from when times are hard, and replenish when harvests permit. These banks are vital to the well-being of the communities and require good management to preserve the grain in optimum condition. Rats, weevils and moisture affect the rice in storage and we seek a solution. The Trust sponsors new banks to be built where needed.
Being honest I am worried that I am being treated more as guest rather than a resource but I think it’s early days. Desperate to get stuck in as I know the time will fly by and I want to make as positive an impact as possible.
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