Before leaving my job as an instructor of English Communications at Payap University in Chiang Mai (Thailand) and Thailand for a new job in Jubail, Saudi Arabia - I wanted to do some volunteer work.
One of my Karen students was doing a practicum as a translator at a United Nations refugee camp in Maesot. She offered to introduce me to some people working in Maesot with children of Burmese migrant workers. After meeting the principal of a school (located at an orphanage), I decided to volunteer one week of teaching.
Lacking in funds to support myself, I made a call out people who have supported me in previous humanitarian aid and Christian missionary work. The donations came in quickly and I was soon buying English curriculum and resources at bookstores in Chiang Mai.
The week at the orphanage in Maesot was challenging: teaching a full load and preparing curriculum for a weekend English camp. In fact I got so sick I never made it to the last couple days of the camp. However after seeing the hard work of the volunteers and administration - as well as the appreciation from the hundreds of children (see pic) - I became committed to assisting these beautiful people.
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