Received good news today: the school and refugees are all alright! Lucky for the refugees, the flood came gradually in the afternoon, giving the refugees time to move their belongings! Made a boat trip across the flood to see the condition of the school. The school, although slightly flooded, but alls good! Everything is still intact and the construction is stable.

My godmum asked around, and we finally got the reason behind the flood - the Thai government. The government always wanted to chase all these Burmese refugees out of the country, as they are like illegal immigrants there. They are not allowed to leave their houses after 6pm, for fear that they will be mugged by gangsters, or get caught and jailed/fined by the police. In short, they are being bullied and no justice is done to these people. So the government "cleverly" thought out a plan: to release the accumulated water from the mountains down to the rivers, as the refugees all stay alongside the river banks. In the end, the plan backfired, and caused deaths and missing THAI locals, while on the other hand, the Burmese refugees are all safe and sound. The thais basically suffered heavy losses.

This is just inhumane. I mean, when the Thai locals realised their loved ones are missing or dead, they are devastated. But have they thought about the refugees? So just because they're refugees, their lives are worthless, so much so the government would release water to flood their village? This is just ridiculous. I wont say im gloating over the outcome of the foolish act of the Thai government, but in my mind im just: Good begets good, evil begets evil. Furthermore, the rundown houses refugees are staying in, they still have to pay a monthly 700baht rent. The condition is really unimaginable, and the government still dare to collect so much from the refugees, while they are slogging so hardly just to meet ends needs. If the Thai government really want so much money, I hope they choke on the hard earn money of the refugees. Basically, money in money out. Collect so much from refugees, now the destruction from the flood. You darlings decipher what I mean! Wont go into so much detail!

So today, we went to a house, where most refugees are gathered. Bought bags of garlic and onions, 6 full chickens and medicines. Despite what had happened to their houses/village, they are all still cheerful and in high spirits. Its like, nothing can bring down their morale/spirits. They still joke with us, take very good care of us, and make sure our needs are taken care of! They are really a sweet bunch of locals!

Before we left today, me and my godmum went to hug them, kinda like a goodbye hug. They were really happy to meet us, and thankful that we would help them to this extend: rebuild school, buy musical instruments, buy medicines and stationeries, buy food, give them money to tide them through the flood period where they are not able to work and earn money to support themselves. Leaving for Chiang Mai tmr, taking the 1.20pm plane, and will go down to godmum's hometown! How I wish we are able to extend our stay here! :/

4 more days in Thailand before I fly back to Singapore. I really feel im more independent and responsible as a person now. I wash my own clothes, pack my own things, make sure I look after the belongings, be in charge of big bundles of cash and etc. Will be learning to cook a couple of local Thai dishes from godmum, especially bai ka pou! :DDDDDD

Going off to meet Mr. Win Cho later at restaurant!

xoxo darlings! <3 <3 <3

p/s: been using my hands to eat my meals! It really makes the meals so much tastier, especially when you are sharing with someone else because you both have to "compete" to get the last mouthful! :D

Labels: Mae Sod, reflection, Thailand

Today is a rather solemn day for me and my godmother, because we witness a flood around the vicinity of the school. As we were happy about the close-to-completion of the renovation of the school, we heard from a grandmother, that the river bank is slowly spreading in. We went down to take a look, and the water was at ankle level. Walked around and saw the condition of the houses that the villagers/locals were living in. It was really overwhelming for me, to actually see it personally myself, that such living condition actually exists. After a walk around the neighborhood, the water slowly rose up, and it became below knee level. Me and my godmum decided to explore around, to see the severity of the flood and we were speechless. People frantically placing sandbags to prevent water from going in; carrying their valuables to higher grounds; dogs crying out for their babies; children trying their best to walk out of the flood.



If that is not bad enough, the rain today got heavier by the day and currently, it is said that the houses are fully submerged, and the school is also partially submerged, with the renovations and musical instruments slightly destroyed. Refugees are currently moving to higher grounds and have totally lost their homes. All they can do now, it to wait to the water subsides, and they can go back home (if it's still there) to clean up. It's really heart-wrenching for me to see this. It made me think back: What are my problems to them, when they are facing such calamity every year during this particular period? It becomes so insignificant and redundant. They do not know what the future has in store for them, while there I was in Singapore, brooding over say r/s problems.

This adorable baby here, is only 4 days old. She came to this world, not knowing what kind of environment she is living in, what kind of challenges she is going to face in future. She is just sleeping peacefully in my godmother's arms, at times yawning, at times smiling; not knowing that the people are busy keeping the flood waters away from their homes. While on the other hand, the fortunate ones (aka rich ones) are having their parents to send them to and from home; building mansions for the family to live in; Life is just so unpredictable.

Really having alot of emotions right now. Really feel so lost, not being able to do anything to help. I just hope, tmr will be a better day for each and everyone of us. I strongly believe, everyone and anyone needed that.

Labels: Mae Sod, reflection, Thailand

Hi lovelies! Day 5 has been an awesome day for me! It was parent-teachers day, and all the children's parents all came down in their traditional wear, and the children all wore reaaaaaaal nice also! Took one to two photos of the children, and loads of videos! Speaking of which, I have not been able to upload videos, because the videos are really taking way too long to upload. Probably its because of the internet connection here? Hmmm.

After everything, started playing with the children! Played sepak tekraw and games like modified bowling, soccer and dodgeball! After which the children just went crazy with me, and started pulling me, asking me to play catching. Lol! So basically its wherever I go, the children will just follow. So the moment me and my godmum are going back, they quickly ran out and send us off! So sweet of them! And I braided my hair out. It was all nice and neat. But after playing, my hair was all over the place; in short, super messy!

Day 5 made me realise, even the simplest thing, like a hug, can really make their day! They may not be the most obedient kids, but they will listen, and they will really know responsibilities. In short, despite being younger than me, I find them much sensible and intelligent than I am. They may not be books smart, but they definitely are street smart!

Today: Day 6! So fast, one week's past, and I soon will be going back to Singapore! :/ so anyway, today we helped to revamp the school! More of like expansion of the current space they have! Had lunch with the locals and let me tell you, it was super nice! They were all very hospitable, and took very good care of us! Everytime me and my godmother reaches the school, they will ALWAYS prepare a cup of coffee for us. How sweet!

Taught some of them how to make jewellery. All of them are very fast learners! Also taught Mr. Win Cho, the teacher of the school, how to play 小微 on his guitar! Not exactly teach, but just let him familiarize with the lyrics. In less than half an hour, he already knows how to sing and freestyle already! Helped to pave the road outside the school because its uneven. Didnt exactly helped to revamp, because they engaged about 10 guys to help out? The progress is super fast! Hope the school will be done by tmr! :D btw, all the photos are uploaded into Facebook, so you darlings can go take a look!

And on this day, I've got slight breathing difficulties. :/ guess its the sawdust and everything. Couldnt really get air into my lungs, and I could feel tightness in my chest. Should really go for body check up already!

Just six days here, and I finally understood the meaning of this Chinese phrase: 人生简简单单两比画. Life over here is just so simple. I admit, despite the simple life there, the locals still have problems that they will be bothered by. But the thing is, they know how to let go. As the Chinese saying goes: 拿得起放得下. Only when we do that, and not be too full of oneself. This way, we will be more able to live life happily, and be able to see the other side of the world - the beauty of human nature.

p/s: sorry for this late post! Had been dozing off halfway through the post for both days! Will try to post everyday and update you guys on my trip! :D

xoxo darlings!

Labels: children, Mae Sod, reflection, Thailand