29th Oct to 2nd Nov, 2007. This trip to the Mission Home of Wiang Kaen will be one that I’ll always remember fondly.

Having Breakfast 

Months ago, I requested to join in this trip, as I’ve always wanted to travel to the more rural parts of the world and be able to interact with its people. But everything that happened in this trip was beyond my expectation. The colleagues and students were simply wonderful to be with, and the children from the home are simply so lovable and good-natured.

 

Taking a group photo before our girls meet their buddies

The children preparing to be received by our girls 

Exchanging greetings after buddy’s name was announced

This overseas trip has the intentions to get our students to experience how it is like to live a rural life. With the CIP component in mind, the students had to do some work too, like gardening, washing the dishes and other simple house chores. Of course, they had lots of fun interacting and playing with the children there as well. Most of the children at the Home were very small, though there is also quite a number who are older than our girls.

 

Everyone enjoying the Handkerchief Game 

 

Jump jump, with buddy! 

 

After the games, it’s time to work

 

Working together

 

Taking a picture at the dragon fruit farm planted by previous batches of Sngs girls 

It seemed as though our girls and the children didn’t need much effort to break the ice. Perhaps the school holidays for the younger kids played a big part. It was fortunate that 30th and 31st of Oct were holidays for the primary school.

 

Queuing up for lunch

 

And the washing up by the girls themselves

Time for more interaction 

And sport games 

Most of the time were spent interacting together, as well as playing games that were a part of everyone’s childhood. Their children don’t know English, and our girls don’t understand Thai. But that didn’t stop them having fun together through universal games like Scissors, Paper, Stone, Dog and Bone, Handkerchief Game, etc.

 

And more games

 

Dog and Bone

On the third day, a picnic by the Mae Kong river was organised. A good place to relax and play games (yet again?!), with the kids chasing one another around constantly. It was indeed heartwarming to see that our girls were not just able to relate to their pre-assigned buddies, but also to the other children as well.

Loaded onto the pick-up 

Ready to make our way to Mae Kong river! 

 

A game of arm-wrestling with Don while waiting for the pick-up to fetch us 

That’s Mae Kong River 

 

When you see them seated in a circle like that, what game could they be playing? 

Our girls all tired out upon returning to the Home 

Perhaps what my colleague said was right, that we get to observe the good and kind side of our girls from trips like this. On the surface, it looked like our girls were just having fun playing with the tireless children every moment, but I believe they knew that they were holding a more important responsibility of taking care and showing love to their charges, entertaining and accomodating to the little ones even when they themselves were drained of energy. In short, I’m really proud of how well the girls had carried themselves throughout this trip.

On our way to visit a cave after the plan to view sunrise foiled because of the rain. Nerve wrecking to cross this bridge!

 

Up and into the cave 

 

A Buddha statue placed inside the cave 

The rain didn’t stop our girls having fun! 

During the last night, we had a mass in the church (which was above the void deck that we always had our activities at) before we had dinner. This dinner was to be the last meal with the children before we would part with them the next morning.

Having dinner during our final night of stay T.T

The girls enjoying themselves in front of the camera before the concert 

The children too (: 

Mrs Nath with the children 

More poses 

I’m there. 

The more exciting event was up next. We were treated to a concert put up by the children at the Home. From the pictures, you could see how much effort each of them put in to perform for us. They must have been practising really hard, rehearsing whenever they had the time to. Needless to say, our girls enjoyed their performance thoroughly, applauding and cheering every second.

The show started with the girls performing a dance

 

A Traditional Thai dance performed by the older children 

 

Young star rising! 

 

And it was time for the guys to strut their stuff 

 

A fashion show! 

The different ethnic costumes that were displayed 

The seniors sang on as the younger kids cheered 

Fabulous solo performance! Just look at the garlands she had received from her supporters! 

Time for our girls to show what they’ve got 

 

An original Indian dance that gathered huge applause from the audience! 

Break dancing by the little boys

Pooying suay rong plaeng thai 

 

They did a Britney! 

Another group sing-together 

Mass dance! 

 

An unplugged performance 

It was then time for our girls to put up their item. They had earlier on prepared an Indian dance item, and put up a good show that excited the children,  many of whom ran up to put on garlands over our girls’ necks to show appreciation.

Singing Love, Me together 

 

Just look at how the girls enjoyed themselves 

Jingwen performing the number "Guan Huai Fang Shi" 

Our girls must have been so touched by the children who displayed such a splendid performance, that they decided to do an impromptu song performance, getting me involved as well. Not that I minded of course, as long as everyone enjoyed themselves. The number that we sang was Colin Raye’s Love, Me, a favourite among our girls. After that, Jingwen did another song, Guan Huai Fang Shi.

 

 

Everyone trying to fight back the tears as they exchanged hugs

Indeed an emotional moment for all 

There were a few more items before the night turned emotional. At the end of the show, one of the older children made a speech in English to thank us for visiting them, and for putting in so much fun and happiness into their lives during our stay. Then, the children formed into a chain, and moved towards us one by one on their knees to express their gratitude. Everyone hugged one another, some already with tears streaking down their eyes, some forcing a sad smile onto their faces. Everyone had a heavy heart that night.

A group photo before the night ended 

Since it was the final night, the children were allowed more time to mingle around. Gifts were given to the children, email addresses and letters exchanged between buddies. Finally, it was bed time. A prayer was said before everyone parted to their respective rooms.

This trip on a whole, has been quite a successful one. I’m sure the girls have learnt a lot of things that they couldn’t have acquired in their daily lives. The trip definitely left a deep impression in everyone’s heart. A memorable one.  

Lots more photos to view here.