Burmese Learning Center – June 21 15:00

Note: Here I must be careful about pictures. I only have one with kids that is approved for use.

The morning started early. I woke up before my alarm, which was set for 6:00 am and the school “bus” was picking us up at 7:30. It took me much longer to get ready to go than normal. My ankle had swelled a little more during the night, but mostly it just became sorer. They gave me the option to stay home, but I only have one week with the kids and they were expecting me, so I definitely wanted to go. I am not sorry. They are beautiful, sweet children. Their shyness lasted most of the class time, but was completely gone by the end of the day. Some of the kids seem to be training to give Thai massages and used me for practice. I didn’t complain, but felt a little weird about it. Other kids just wanted physical contact. The cuddlers came to me when I sat in a chair and one grabbed an arm another a leg, one my waist, and two others wherever they could squeeze in. This was decidedly quiet time – by the kids, not me, but again not complaining – and they all laid their heads on me to rest. It was about the sweetest thing ever.

The school is a simple concrete rectangle, sectioned off cross-wise for classrooms. There are wooden row tables and bench seats and a white board. This is all there is in the room. The entire school is sparse – no décor, that would be an unnecessary luxury – with few to no supplies. It is quite sad. But these children, who have virtually nothing, shared their morning snacks with me, offering what they had. I brought some pencils and crayons to donate and, though they are appreciated, it feels like a lame gift that does nothing for them. The best gift I am giving them is my time and an opportunity to get to know a foreigner. They are so high energy and I am so not, that the experience is quite exhausting. The hardest part is trying to find out where they are with their English and how I can further it. We are not going to work miracles in a week, but I hope to do something to help.

At the end of the day the school bus dropped us off at about 4:00 pm. I wanted to rest, but we need to plan our day tomorrow and report on how today went, so we walked to the office. My ankle is now so swollen all the skin is pulled shiny tight all around it. It is almost the size of three golf balls now. I am sure it is from being on my feet a lot today. Tomorrow I need to try to sit more, but that makes it very difficult to be interactive. I don’t know what I can do for it. Will an ace bandage help or hinder? Forget about ice. It is a commodity that is not in abundance around here.

It rained today most of the day, which was fortunate for Andrew and I because the classrooms were not so hot. Tomorrow could be a totally different story, but I can’t wait to go back and see my new friends.