Beginning of the End

Last week we said goodbye to our friends in Pai and headed to Chiang Rai—our base for the remaining month of our trip. Here we are volunteering with an organization called Khom Loy, which runs several different programs that focus on empowerment for Burmese refugees and cultural minorities in the north of Thailand. We'll be working with the Montessori branch of their organization, helping to train teachers, make materials, and set up new classrooms.

Khom Loy Development Foundation "Headquarters"

Sean hard at work in the office

Khom Loy was established in 2002 by an Englishman, Paul Hancock, and his Canadian wife, Patricia. Since then, the organization has grown tremendously. Year after year they continue to expand, making their programs available to more people throughout the region. Since they began, they've managed to convert over 40 traditional classrooms to the Montessori method. They've found that Montessori is a great approach to teaching vital Thai language skills to children from minority groups, thus improving their chances for the future. You can learn more about Khom Loy and their projects by visiting their website, http://khomloy.org/. I would also like to encourage anyone who is interested to check out Khom Loy's Montessori Blog at http://khomloymontessori.blogspot.com/.

When we arrived, we were welcomed warmly by Paul, Patricia, and their staff here at the foundation. All of the employees have been incredibly friendly since our arrival, and are clearly enthusiastic about having us here. On many days they insist on us joining them for lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, or even more kindly, invite us to share in a meal they've prepared—MmMmm! (or in Thai, "aroy mak mak!")

The teachers making materials in the practice classroom

 For this first week, we've mostly just been settling in. Settling into an eight hour work day, settling into our new apartment (complete with the first fridge and wardrobe we've had since we left—hurray!) settling into Chiang Rai. It feels good to be here, and we're excited to see what we can accomplish in the next month.

The Clock Tower in the center of town

A quirky bar on the main street

Blue Iguana

Music at the Night Bazaar

Figuring out what to order... 

Playing music with Paul and Patricia at "Cat Bar"

These beauties are EVERYWHERE! 

The rice fields behind our apartment

I call this one "Contrast Shack"