Khaolak calling

Dear all,

We are spending this weekend in Khaolak after having had a pretty confusing but good week.

Teaching went well, apart from the fact that Sarah and I have to take care of regular English classes as well as doing The World I Live In at Thortaang school. As nobody told us in advance we had to improvise a lot. However, most of the children are really nice, but proper communication still remains a major problem. I have learned some Thai vocab for the use in school which works okay :). The past week focused on colours and animals, we played a lot of games, had some competitions and let TWILI children start with drawing their families, writing their names in English etc.

I chatted with P Yoon (the English teacher) about the donations. They are all very glad, especially because the school does not have any spare money at the moment and very urgently needs new books and shelves. We will be going to Langsuang to buy everything on some weekend after Ingrid, the volunteer's coordinator, will have returned from Holland (tomorrow). I can also take some pictures officially handing a "cheque" over to the principle, so hopefully you will all be going to see some pictures of this sooner or later ;).

The weather was pretty rainy, though we had sunshine from time to time as well. Today it was awesome and we could even go swimming in Khaolak, about 2 hours South of Phato and Ranong. Quite relaxing ending for a busy week. Femke and I will do some more preparation for our lessons tonight or tomorrow. The focus will lie on fruit and veg, some basic stuff as the children's level is pretty different.

I also already got a Thai nickname from grade 4,5,6: Fonn = rain :).

Alrighty, think that is it for now.
Have a nice one wherever you are - we are enjoying the heat and sun, Thai food, the jungle and sea etc. despite of dangerous snakes living around us :).

Take care and all the best from Khaolak (remember the tsunami 2004),
Julia