2008
August - Shelter Construction Progress Report
Background
Work on the HTF home School shelter began in May of this year when we moved out of rented
quarters and onto land leased for the next year. Goin was able to build a temporary shelter to
live in while construction began on a more permanent structure. Life for the kids hasn't been
easy during the rainy season. The leaf roof leaks and when it rains hard our little kitchen
becomes a pond. The only creatures that truly appreciate the shelter are those pesky
mosquitoes. Thanks to Whispering Seed we at least have new mosquito nets, blankets, and
pillows.
I
went to the shelter and Mae Sot on Aug. 2nd and was due to meet Amy
from World Education to talk about the KG but her daughter was sick.
She had sent me the folowing brief email -- I
just want to introduce myself a little bit before I go further.
My name is Amy, working with World Education in Mae Sot
regarding the Education part for the migrant children (about 50+
schools) in Tak area. My Director and Deputy Director told me about you
and your project this morning and I was wondering where and how we
could get in touch together. Regards: Amy, Program Associate,
World Education, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand. I
stayed at the shelter and relaxed. Goin had built a small hut for
his friends who work for free at the shelter helping out with the
construction. It is located at the back of the land behind the shelter
that we've leased for the garden.
I
am happy to report that Goin and his friends had completed the roof the
day before I arrived. Here is a picture of it. It's a very sturdy
structure and we hope the zinc roof will serve its purpose better than
the originally planned bamboo rafter and straw covering. Everything we
bought was more expensive because the cyclone that hit Burma caused a
shortage of building supplies. A lot of Burmese businessmen bought up
supplies in Thailand and made a profit selling them in Burma – thus,
the delay in our own program. We have spent the first 100,000 baht
brought by Dave and now have the floor, walls, and rattan windows to
complete before we can move in.
I
went ahead and bought a few more needed items this past weekend. The
gas stove had given up the ghost so I got a new one. Over the past
month we had also starting replacing the old computer. I bought a new
printer, monitor and then we set it all up on Saturday. Ita can now
print out worksheets for the kids and for their enjoyment I set up
about a dozen computer games for them. My next goal is to get some
playground equipment – I've noted some good examples and we can discuss
what's needed on Aug. 16th.
The
computer is an Asus and also has a DVD/CD witer. I taught Ita how to
make a slideshow with music into a Video CD that the kids can watch on
the tv. They like to sing and dance. Ita will also take videos of the
kids on Sundays when they worship and sing songs together. I'll upload
a video with link in the next newsletter. The printer is a color Canon
with extra large ink wells – lots of pictures of Susa, I suppose. She
remains the 'apple' of Ita's eye. I also bought a second hand laptop
and have disovered that it allows me to connect to the internet at most
of the bus stations I go through when going to Mae Sot.
Additionally, I received the following email from a former prospective volunteer that I'd like to share:
My name is Daniel Jager. I contacted you about a year ago about a possible visit to Thailand. Unfortunately at that time, it didn't quite work out due to numerous reasons. I am living in Thailand and am planning to start my own organic farming project up north near Chiang Mai in the coming dry season. I know two Americans here near Bangkok, Dan and Chrissy, who met you recently. They reminded me of your project in Mae Sot. Next week I will be traveling to Chiang Mai to do some preliminary work and set up the first bits of the plan. On the way back to Bangkok I will be traveling to Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sot. I was wondering if I could come by and visit you in Mae Sot in the week of 11 - 17 Aug. The most likely time would be Thursday 14 to the Saturday 16th of Aug. I have invited Daniel to meet and have dinner together with us on Saturday, the 16th, at the shelter. I have read some of your posts on your websites and would like to discuss some ideas with you: on organic farming, schooling systems and spiritual matters. In the days of my visit I will also be able to help you out with teaching or on the farm (even though for now I can only stay for a short time). Some ideas of mine that I would like to work on in the coming year: I am in mind to start a network of self-sufficient farmers, farming communities, etc here in Thailand. Possibly a very own Thai wwoof organization (not initially, but in due time). Also I am interested in creating a new form of organic certification for poor farmers here in Thailand (who can't afford the ridiculously high yearly renewal fee of the international standard).
I also heard from Emily Cain, in Texas, who is also interested in organic farming -- she wrote:
I found your post on idealist.org looking for a natural farming instructor, and I am very interested to help out, but I have a few questions. Right now I'm working on an organic farm in Texas; I can grow vegetables and fruits using natural methods and would be interested in sharing what I know with the children there. Will there be an interpreter, or will I need to learn Burmese and Thai before I can communicate with the children? I am available beginning in January 09, so if there is a position available at that time, please let me know. I also have a friend who would be interested in helping, but he does not work on the farm with me. He could, however, help out with the kids and other activities if an additional person is needed for that time. I have invited her to volunteer at that time -- Dhane.
Thanks, and I look forward to your reply -- Emily Cain.
So, I'm starting to work on a land use plan for the garden -- what we might want to grow and when to plant it and where. I hope more of you can provide feedback and suggestions towards this plan on the 16th if you're able to be at the shelter. More news after we meet on August 16th ... Dhane (Aug. 4,2008)
Work on the HTF home School shelter began in May of this year when we moved out of rented
quarters and onto land leased for the next year. Goin was able to build a temporary shelter to
live in while construction began on a more permanent structure. Life for the kids hasn't been
easy during the rainy season. The leaf roof leaks and when it rains hard our little kitchen
becomes a pond. The only creatures that truly appreciate the shelter are those pesky
mosquitoes. Thanks to Whispering Seed we at least have new mosquito nets, blankets, and
pillows.
This was the shelter in May earlier this year
I
went to the shelter and Mae Sot on Aug. 2nd and was due to meet Amy
from World Education to talk about the KG but her daughter was sick.
She had sent me the folowing brief email -- I
just want to introduce myself a little bit before I go further.
My name is Amy, working with World Education in Mae Sot
regarding the Education part for the migrant children (about 50+
schools) in Tak area. My Director and Deputy Director told me about you
and your project this morning and I was wondering where and how we
could get in touch together. Regards: Amy, Program Associate,
World Education, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand. I
stayed at the shelter and relaxed. Goin had built a small hut for
his friends who work for free at the shelter helping out with the
construction. It is located at the back of the land behind the shelter
that we've leased for the garden.I
am happy to report that Goin and his friends had completed the roof the
day before I arrived. Here is a picture of it. It's a very sturdy
structure and we hope the zinc roof will serve its purpose better than
the originally planned bamboo rafter and straw covering. Everything we
bought was more expensive because the cyclone that hit Burma caused a
shortage of building supplies. A lot of Burmese businessmen bought up
supplies in Thailand and made a profit selling them in Burma – thus,
the delay in our own program. We have spent the first 100,000 baht
brought by Dave and now have the floor, walls, and rattan windows to
complete before we can move in.I
went ahead and bought a few more needed items this past weekend. The
gas stove had given up the ghost so I got a new one. Over the past
month we had also starting replacing the old computer. I bought a new
printer, monitor and then we set it all up on Saturday. Ita can now
print out worksheets for the kids and for their enjoyment I set up
about a dozen computer games for them. My next goal is to get some
playground equipment – I've noted some good examples and we can discuss
what's needed on Aug. 16th. The
computer is an Asus and also has a DVD/CD witer. I taught Ita how to
make a slideshow with music into a Video CD that the kids can watch on
the tv. They like to sing and dance. Ita will also take videos of the
kids on Sundays when they worship and sing songs together. I'll upload
a video with link in the next newsletter. The printer is a color Canon
with extra large ink wells – lots of pictures of Susa, I suppose. She
remains the 'apple' of Ita's eye. I also bought a second hand laptop
and have disovered that it allows me to connect to the internet at most
of the bus stations I go through when going to Mae Sot. Additionally, I received the following email from a former prospective volunteer that I'd like to share:
My name is Daniel Jager. I contacted you about a year ago about a possible visit to Thailand. Unfortunately at that time, it didn't quite work out due to numerous reasons. I am living in Thailand and am planning to start my own organic farming project up north near Chiang Mai in the coming dry season. I know two Americans here near Bangkok, Dan and Chrissy, who met you recently. They reminded me of your project in Mae Sot. Next week I will be traveling to Chiang Mai to do some preliminary work and set up the first bits of the plan. On the way back to Bangkok I will be traveling to Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sot. I was wondering if I could come by and visit you in Mae Sot in the week of 11 - 17 Aug. The most likely time would be Thursday 14 to the Saturday 16th of Aug. I have invited Daniel to meet and have dinner together with us on Saturday, the 16th, at the shelter. I have read some of your posts on your websites and would like to discuss some ideas with you: on organic farming, schooling systems and spiritual matters. In the days of my visit I will also be able to help you out with teaching or on the farm (even though for now I can only stay for a short time). Some ideas of mine that I would like to work on in the coming year: I am in mind to start a network of self-sufficient farmers, farming communities, etc here in Thailand. Possibly a very own Thai wwoof organization (not initially, but in due time). Also I am interested in creating a new form of organic certification for poor farmers here in Thailand (who can't afford the ridiculously high yearly renewal fee of the international standard).
I also heard from Emily Cain, in Texas, who is also interested in organic farming -- she wrote:
I found your post on idealist.org looking for a natural farming instructor, and I am very interested to help out, but I have a few questions. Right now I'm working on an organic farm in Texas; I can grow vegetables and fruits using natural methods and would be interested in sharing what I know with the children there. Will there be an interpreter, or will I need to learn Burmese and Thai before I can communicate with the children? I am available beginning in January 09, so if there is a position available at that time, please let me know. I also have a friend who would be interested in helping, but he does not work on the farm with me. He could, however, help out with the kids and other activities if an additional person is needed for that time. I have invited her to volunteer at that time -- Dhane.
Thanks, and I look forward to your reply -- Emily Cain.
So, I'm starting to work on a land use plan for the garden -- what we might want to grow and when to plant it and where. I hope more of you can provide feedback and suggestions towards this plan on the 16th if you're able to be at the shelter. More news after we meet on August 16th ... Dhane (Aug. 4,2008)