My special summer with the Home of Charity

 

 

I’ve spent six weeks in the Home of Charity and I must say that every minute I’ve spent here is worthy.
I still remember my first day in Thailand and at the Home of Charity, which started with four lovely faces from Jirasak, Justin, Chalita and Chonticha at Chiang Rai airport. While waiting for my luggage, I was a bit nervous that I couldn’t find Jirasak later because I didn’t have a phone to call him. But it turned out that he and three children were standing right there and waving at me.

 

Chonticha held my hand with her small hand and my heart was touched by all of them. When we arrived at the center, many children gathered around us and some of them were trying to carry my lug gages. I didn’t know how to express my thanks to them at that moment, but I felt their welcome at the very beginning.

I liked my room a lot too. My bed was besides the window and I could see a big football ground from that point. Everything was prepared for me in the room and everything is so clean on my arrival day. There were also clean towels lying on my bed. I like to read a lot and there was a desk lamp too that made my reading night nice.

At the center, I met with some children one on one everyday to do play therapy. I also taught different classes, including Basic English, Maths, English writing, English reading. I am a Chinese student who studies in USA. So I was happy that besides English, I also taught the children some mandarin. All the kids are so willing to learn. No matter what kind of disabilities they are having, they always try their best to study and exercise.

There are many books and toys that volunteers can use. Many books are in both Thai and English. There is a wide range of book types, such as alphabet, science, and stories. I could always find the materials that I needed for my teaching. It was also easy for me to print anything I found online, either for teaching or therapy. Jirasak and Sisiter were very helpful and always tried to help me figure out the Thai printer in the office. There were many types of toys at the center too. Most of them are good for occupational therapy. I used a lot of them in the library for my play therapy. I want to have a free and comfortable space for the children to do my therapy and there were several rooms I could use too, if there was a class going on at the main lounge in the library. Every day after dinner, I would take some children out for a nice walk or play games with them. They are just so cute that I’ve enjoyed a lot. I haven’t thought that they are the children having special needs at all. All the children are so strong and optimistic. They are having a good time at the center and so did me.

Sister Cecelia and Jirasak were very helpful. They cared about me and other volunteers and always wanted to make our time here better. My six weeks here really flies. I’ve learned a lot from everyone here too. I am happy that I can spend this special summer with the Home of Charity in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I hope that more volunteers can come to this lovely place to make these children’s life better. I’d like to thank sister, Jirasak and all the care providers at the center. Your love and effort for all the children are changing their lives. And because of all of you, they are having a wonderful childhood.

If you have any question, feel free to contact me. I am happy to share my experience with you: dklucy1992@gmail.com - Kuo Deng