"Why pay to work when you can go and do nothing. Just relax and dive and see many more places?"

The fact that you work here makes you see things differently. Not only do you get in contact with people but you get another way of looking at things and at yourself. You are not a tourist. You don't see yourself as a tourist. You are contributing to society, you have a role and, maybe even unconsciously, you adopt another attitude.

Last week I was twice at the train station saying goodbye to volunteers leaving for home. Each time there were some twenty or so people assembled to say goodbye, students, teachers and other friends. Small delegations from schools where we work. Again there were "backpackers" leaving with the same trains. They were looking curiously at this roundup of people waving goodbye to farang. They must have wondered!

So we feel that this is worth doing!

And we have had a great set of volunteers. They have been doing great job of their teaching and their social stays. So we are increasingly popular with schools and institutions! We have a wonderful staff, Mooy and Poo. Now so often joined by Meaw-Madonna, Tuinui, Meaw-2, Mam, Andy and so on. I feel very confident when recommending people to come to us.

So from me to everyone that has been involved with us: Thanks for making this such a great year for Travel-to-Teach. And to all of you who are coming or thinking of coming; lets make 2004 another very good year for this kind of volunteering.

Happy New Year to you all

Kerstin