By Hiroko Hongyok (Class of 2016) - DWBI Coordinator, 2014
We started the journey to Baan Gerda (an orphanage in Lopburi for kids living with HIV) feeling quite nervous, not knowing what lies ahead of us; and how the kids we had never met before would think or react to us. After three short hours on the bus we finally reached the open fields and concrete housing of Baan Gerda. First, we presented our mission and goals and the different events we are going to host for them; and then we had a delicious lunch getting to know the kids personally. |
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The atmosphere was still a little quiet then, and the children were still holding back on us; but after our activities started everything changed. Each activity brought out joy, energy, passion and they were having so much fun. We didn’t expect the activities to be such a success. I have never seen such laughter and energy in these activities ever before and I had the up most pleasure to be able to help lead these activities with them.
I led the newspaper activity where the kids got into groups of 4 or 5 and had to stand on the newspaper, while each round the newspaper would be folded into half. This simple activity surprised us all; we saw 3 big teenage boys trying to fit onto a 8 by 8 cm newspaper. Mai was on Got's shoulders, Tun Mai clung on with all his might for his toes not to touch the floor outside, while Got in the middle held the two boys on top of him. I’ve never seen or had that much fun and laughter through a simple game. The kids were so welcoming and heart warming which came genuinely. After several activities which lasted for nearly three hours, we had a dance party!! Some of the moves the kids brought were insanely cool (Gem could not beat), they had original moves such as the “powder my face”, and it was just an absolute blast!
Finally, it came to our goodbyes, and even if we had just spend 1 day with them the friendship we formed were strong and real. Many of the kids there (which were our age) asked for our Facebook and Email accounts so we can keep in touch. They all walked with us to send us off to the van, but we didn’t want to leave at all (Mr. Kim had to force us into the van before it got too dark to drive). The few hours spent in Baan Gerda was an absolute joy and pleasure, and I hope there will be several more joyful memories to come!
I led the newspaper activity where the kids got into groups of 4 or 5 and had to stand on the newspaper, while each round the newspaper would be folded into half. This simple activity surprised us all; we saw 3 big teenage boys trying to fit onto a 8 by 8 cm newspaper. Mai was on Got's shoulders, Tun Mai clung on with all his might for his toes not to touch the floor outside, while Got in the middle held the two boys on top of him. I’ve never seen or had that much fun and laughter through a simple game. The kids were so welcoming and heart warming which came genuinely. After several activities which lasted for nearly three hours, we had a dance party!! Some of the moves the kids brought were insanely cool (Gem could not beat), they had original moves such as the “powder my face”, and it was just an absolute blast!
Finally, it came to our goodbyes, and even if we had just spend 1 day with them the friendship we formed were strong and real. Many of the kids there (which were our age) asked for our Facebook and Email accounts so we can keep in touch. They all walked with us to send us off to the van, but we didn’t want to leave at all (Mr. Kim had to force us into the van before it got too dark to drive). The few hours spent in Baan Gerda was an absolute joy and pleasure, and I hope there will be several more joyful memories to come!