Wiang Wai Sports Day

We recently had one of our favourite days since being in Thailand. We were invited to attend Wiang Wai’s sports day. This was not like an English schools sports day. It was a huge event and included all our children. The sports day consisted of six schools competing in various different competitions from sack races to chess. The day started at 4 o’clock for the Wiang Wai students as they had to dress up in costumes and have their faces painted. (We only arrived at 8 o’clock). The six schools then underwent there first event, which was a parade leading from one of the schools to the field where the rest of the days events would happen. Each school had a small marching band leading their section of the parade and then the entire school dressed up in various costumes.




Once at the main field, the rest of the events began. This included cheerleading ,which Lucy had helped choreograph the week before.

There were also all the regular events such as running, sack races and tug of war, with a few new events thrown in including stilts.

We both really enjoyed ourselves as we were able to stand at the finishing line with the younger teachers and cheer our children on and then congratulate/commiserate them at the end. The day was long, tiring and hot. We both got sunburnt as we forgot our sun tan lotion but didn’t mind as it was a brilliant day. Our children did very well and went home with many golds, silvers and bronzes. The day ended with trophies for each section which we got many firsts, seconds and thirds and came second overall much to everyone’s delight.

These events were truly amazing and will stay in our memories for many years to come.

Day Trip with Wiang Wai School

We were honoured to be invited on a day trip with our students from Wiang Wai. The trip was to Chiang Mai to visit an educational centre and the night safari. This was a wonderful experience for us and the students as none of them had been to Chiang Mai or seen any zoo animals. The young teachers who are Shan were also very excited, as they haven't been to the safrai either, as Shan people are not allowed to leave the area they work in.

At the eduscational centre the students learned about the solar system and also the history of Chinag Mai.

Everybody enjoyed the safari park even though we only had a short time there. We all got to feed rhinos and hippos, watch an elephant play basketball and have a shower and two of the students got to wash one of the elephants also.

Loygratong

This last month or so has been one of new experiences and excitement. We were lucky to be able to experience the fun and very beautiful Thai festival called Loygratong. This festival lasts for four days on the weekend of the full moon in November. It consists of people letting off paper lanterns and small floating flower arrangements called gratongs. This was a fantastic time for us as we spent all four days celebrating. We had a party in our housing area where we made our first ever gratong and set off lanterns. We then spent the next few days in the centre of Chiang Mai watching the parades (which on the last day lasted over six hours), letting off lanterns which had fireworks attached to them, floating gratongs and setting off fireworks.

Southampton Team

In November we had a team from Southampton come and help HANDS for two weeks.

We both spent the weeks leading up to the team getting everything ready for them to arrive. We were entrusted with the job of preparing the crafts, sports and refreshments/food that the team would need throughout the trip. Lucy was given the job of accountant and Russ was to lead the music also.

After many hours of shopping, sorting, spray painting it finally came to the day of arrival. We all greeted the team at the airport and took them to the hotel.

After two days of rest the journey was to begin. This started with a long drive to our girls hostel. We spent the next few days visiting the girls hostel where the team did a drama, crafts and games, which included a chocolate fountain. The girls really enjoyed the fountain, however they peferred to eat the fruit on its own as they are not used to such sweet food.

We then travelled to our other hostel. We went to a village one of the days and played games and made carfts with all the children and ladies. This was a wonderful experience. They loved the games we played and the hula hoops which we took were a big hit! James, who also works for HANDS videoed the visit and some of the younger children spent a long time watching themselves on the mini screen.

We also went into Wiang Wai school (where we teach) and played games and made crafts with the children. The theme was king Midus and his golden touch, so everything was gold or spray painted gold. We made crowns, did a colour by numbers, played the memory game (were the children had to remeber all the gold items on the tray), taught the children how to juggle and much much more.

The time flew by and before we knew it, we were returning to the ever familiar Chiang Mai. After a couple of days of rest and recovery we found ourselves again at the airport waving the team farewell.