Travel to Teach: Thailand Volunteer Story

I love the flowers

Thailand Volunteer Stories: Gary Wooton, 32, UK

I half new what to expect from my time spent in Nongkhai and Phon Phisai as this was my second trip to Thailand, boy was I wrong.

It's not the same as taking 10 months out and backpacking around the world. Nothing prepared me for the experience's I had.

My first month was spent teaching at the CBAT Business and Tourism College half way between Nongkhai and Udon Thani. Predominantly a girls school, I was greeted everyday with the compulsory Wai and "good morning teacher, how are you today'. Something I would never get used to. Who, me? A teacher. Oh yes, that's right. The students and teachers here make you feel very welcome and will always assist you with your lessons, especially translation.

I initially joined T2T in order to help them set up a new Computer Adult learning centre in the town of Phon Phisai. At last, this was my chance to get down to some serious work. Having been the first volunteer for this project, there was a lot of hard work to do. Designing a curriculum for 'Basic computing skills', 'Microsoft Word' and 'Photoshop' was only part of it. I then had to teach these classes. At first it was very hard work being the only volunteer but was soon joined by more volunteers and with the on-going help and assistance of the T2T staff, things got easier.

We were welcomed into the community with open arms and even took part in a special ceremony, which saw us become part of a very large family. Days were spent teaching whilst nights were spent underneath Mr Noong's wooden stilted house eating food with his family and sometimes-other families. Playing badminton at Jack's house. Frog hunting at nighttime with one of the neighbours. Scenic bike rides through the village and alongside the Mekong River. Saw some amazing sunsets down by the river. Nobody spoke a word of English, and I spoke very little Thai, or Isaan as is known in this part of Thailand. A pen, notebook, and lots of charades enabled us to communicate. In my opinion, to be thrown in at the deep end is the best way to learn a language. Within 3 months I could hold a conversation with most people.

Life in Phon Phisai is a very simple life, and an opportunity to experience real Isaan village life. Everyone will know your name before you even arrive. I would ride my motorbike down the road to be greeted with waves from students and hearing my name shouted out regularly.

Teaching in Phon Phisai can be very rewarding. The classes are small consisting of only 6 students per class. Some of the students you might end up teaching haven't had any type of education since they were 12-13 years old, having been made to go and work in the rice fields with their families. The lessons can be very personal and a lot of fun. Especially the Party's we have when each course finishes. One particular student of mine, 'Som' came from a nearby village and was a buffalo farmer. He was scared to hold the mouse on his first lesson and was constantly looking for reassurance. In 3 months of using the computer and successfully completing all 3 courses, he has since gone on to secure work in Bangkok. To know that you have changed someone's life forever through the simple task of sharing information is a very moving and rewarding experience.

Spending time with T2T has changed me in so many ways. After spending 3 months with them and a further 3 months living in Nongkhai without the help of T2T and being part of the community, I have gone on to make a lot of local friends. Nobody comes to Thailand or T2T looking for love but in my case have found it. I know that when I return to Thailand I will always have a large family to return to and somewhere to stay in both Nongkhai and Phon Phisai.

Email Gary Wooton

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