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Burmese children enjoy a game at Social Action for Women safe house.
Calgary teacher John Whidden and his family are travelling and volunteering in Thailand. Students and staff at Whidden’s school, University Elementary School, in Calgary, raised money through bake sales and donations for Social Action for Women (SAW), an organization that assists women who have fled to Thailand from Burma.
Characters in this story
Aleida (A): a 14-year-old student at Branton Junior High School, Calgary
John (J): a 43-year-old teacher at University Elementary School, Calgary
The story is set in western Thailand, near the Burmese border.
A: Dad, it’s 34 degrees Celsius out. Why do we have to write an article?
J: What would your LA teacher say if we pulled you out of school for two months and didn’t make you do any writing on this trip? Besides, it makes a good story.
A: Well … where should we start?
J: How about the reason we ended up in Mae Sot, Thailand?
A: Didn’t you want us to volunteer somewhere as we travelled?
J: Right. We checked into a number of nongovernmental organizations and ended up connecting with SAW (Social Action for Women).
Leadership students from University School, in Calgary, organize a bake sale in aid of Social Action for Women.
A: I think it’s pretty neat how they help tons of orphans and women from Burma. They also give them an education and vocational training to help break the cycle of poverty and abuse.
J: During our week in Mae Sot, do you think we were able to help in any significant way?
A: I think we definitely helped out. We played games with the three- to six-year-old group.
J: They sure enjoyed duck, duck, goose!
A: And the seven- to eleven-year-olds loved sculpting with clay and drawing.
J: Did you notice how creative they are? A couple of the children made entire scenes with their clay!
A: May I point out that those were the 12- to 18-year-olds?
J: Teenager’s prerogative to correct her parent. What was that older group’s favourite game?
A: They really liked playing dodge ball, but what teenager doesn’t? It was funny how the guys turned “Seaweed” into “Whisky.” Typical.
J: Amazing how those kids who have so little—not even parents—seem happy.
A: Yeah. I also noticed there was very little bickering during the games.
J: And the older kids really took the younger ones under their wings.
A: Did we pay for the supplies for the crafts and games?
J: No, we used the funds that the University School leadership students raised through their bake sale and donations from my staff.
A: Don’t forget—my sister, Twila, sold orange juice to unsuspecting family members for two dollars per glass!
J: All the money went a long way in providing much-needed supplies to SAW.
A: It was cool to see kids helping kids from halfway across the world.
J: We have to mention the 18- to 25-year-old students too.
A: We helped them practise their English during class, and they helped us by translating for the younger kids.
J: And you taught them how to bake your famous double chocolate chip cookies!
A: With all the modified ingredients, they turned out kind of weird, but all five dozen were eaten!
J: It’s sad that even the oldest students can’t leave their neighbourhood.
A: That’s because they’re in Thailand illegally, right?
J: Most of them are illegal immigrants, but many of the older kids want to go back to Burma to study to become lawyers or human rights workers, or to pursue other occupations.
A: To help their own people … I think it’s admirable that they’re willing to return to Burma despite possible persecution.
J: SAW is certainly a successful organization!
A: On the last day, didn’t the teachers ask you and Mom questions about curriculum?
J: Yes, and the Alberta program of studies for ESL was a useful resource, which I’m sure they will use as they develop their curriculum over the next few weeks. We learned much from their teachers, and I hope we’re able to give them some ideas, too.
A: Well, I guess we’d better start writing the article.
J: It would seem we’re already done!
A: In that case, let’s go get some mango sticky rice!
J: Are you buying?
A 12-year-old Burmese student shows her creativity with modeling clay.
