Travel to Teach: Thailand Volunteer Story

Reading Harry Potter at the local radio station.

Jessica Lawson, 33, California, USA

I sit on the beach at Ko Pha Ngan just a few days since my departure from Nong Khai.

The water in front of me is like a rainbow, presenting itself in layers of color. First there is a layer of teal green which then changes to a deep blue giving way to a small strip of indigo, then the water which reaches to the horizon becomes a transcendently gorgeous turquoise color. As beautiful as all this is, the Mekong in my memory is even more beautiful. This due in part to the wonderful time I had in Nong Khai volunteering with Travel-To-Teach.

I volunteered for a mere month. One month being not long enough, I stuck around for almost a week more, unable to tear myself away just yet. I had just arrived at a true rhythm to like in Nong Khai when it was time for me to leave. I was left wanting more, more time to satisfy my palette with the delights of the local food, more time to interact with the locals (Thai and Fa rang alike), more time to gain a more intimate knowledge of the Thai language, and more time to help where help was needed.

My first week was spent teaching English at a Thai teachers seminar in a small town called Khoomphawapee. This was a wonderful introduction to my volunteer time since the seminar was in a small village well-off the beaten track and our presence was very much appreciated. I worked alongside four Thai teachers, whom were fairly well versed in the English language, to conduct classes in conversational English. The teaching, by the way, was not a one way street, whereas I helped them with English they also helped me with my Thai. And not only were the students appreciative and exceptionally kind, but the teachers were as well. Daily at lunchtime the Thai teachers I worked with whisked me off to various restaurants around town to sample Thai and Isaan dishes. One evening one of the Thai teachers named 'Sam' graciously took myself and the two other volunteers to the local temple fair, which was quite a colorful, extravagant gala. Consistently wond erful hosts they were.

The ensuing weeks back in Nong Khai remained as fabulous as the first. I not only taught English, I also helped out at a local orphanage, co-hosted a local English radio show, and took a week long yoga course. In fact, there are boundless opportunities and projects in which a person can take part. Kerstin and the staff are always adding new projects to the repertoire as well, such as the new Sangklaburi project which helps the Burmese refugees and some of the displaced hill tribe peoples, which I deem to be a most worthy affair.

My departure loomed too quickly, and as I made my exit in the back of a tuk-tuk a few tears welled in my eyes as I said goodbye to Nong Khai. As the train left the station another volunteer, Dorothea, whom was also on the train that evening, popped by my seat to say hello. She told me that on the platform prior departure there were five Thai women looking for me, they had come to the train station to say goodbye. I believe they were some of my students and I remain incredibly touched that within my short stay I had moved these women to the point that they sought me out to bid farewell. As disappointing it is that I did not see them......I can always return to say hello. After all, there is always next year.

Jessica Lawson

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