|
Lake Oswego Rotarians Sharon Starr (Club
President) and member Lynne Wintermute are currently in
Thailand. Sharon reports that there are 45 volunteers on
site, which is apparently considerably more than usual--but all
are busy. Some are Rotarians, some with a church group and some
just your average volunteers. The mix includes an engineer, lots
of construction workers, a couple of English teachers, two
nurses, quite a few college-age kids.
Several projects here have been funded with Rotary grants
already, including the water purification system, some dorms, a
sewage treatment system. Also non-grant Rotary $ funded the
original land purchase. The Rotary connection started the year
we had a fellow from Thailand as RI president. I forget his
name, but his theme was "Sewing the Seeds of Love" as you may
recall.
Today being Sunday, there was a short but upbeat church
program after breakfast. The hill tribes are all pretty much
Christian, as a result of missionary influence in the '20s and
'30s. These kids love to sing!
Lynne taught an art class later in the morning, with another
scheduled for this afternoon.
One thing we've noticed, we haven't heard one kid complain or
cry since we've been here. Right now I'm sitting in the art
class, and they are totally engrossed. Outside I hear lots of
singing and laughing from across the way.
One thing for sure, we need to get those toilet blocks
installed soon! A few Turkish toilets for 550 people is a tad
inadequate!
|
|