Om Koi Trip

I love getting a chance to see where my students live and to see more of Thailand. What's more, I really enjoy learning more about Thai schools and seeing how they are run. Fortunately for me I was able to do all three things a few weeks ago! One of my former students, Jeh, was back at his old elementary school helping with an English camp along with a former Legacy employee who now teaches there. Another past teacher and friend went also. We piled into the truck in early afternoon and arrived at the school about 4 hours later.
The journey was beautiful, since we drove through the mountains and along a few high ridges. The school is slightly out of the way and I would personally find it an adventure to drive or motorbike in the area! Fortunately I was just a passenger!

The first night there, we had a delicious dinner at Jeh's family's home. Unfortunately, since this was awhile ago, I don't remember everything we had. But I am so grateful to those who prepared it and for the hospitality.

One of the best things about that night was seeing all of the stars! I couldn't believe how black the sky was with so many stars shining! It was so big and beautiful!

Delicious dinner!
The next morning we went to the school and watched as students had their morning routine. We spent the morning and early afternoon helping in different English stations such as greetings or fruit.
English camp banner.
Me helping teach fruit vocabulary.
The students eating lunch.
Singing a song.
The whole group.

The school consists of predominately Karen students so we were given the traditional Karen shirt to wear.

The setting of the school was very beautiful with a stream running to one side. It was peaceful (at least when we were there!) and I found it somewhat relaxing. As we were leaving late that afternoon, the director told us that in the dry season wild elephants come down the mountain and try to eat the crops. I'm sure then the school isn't so peaceful!

A New View

The view from out my apartment door - it's more beautiful in person!

1st Annual Legacy Cup

The boys decided a few weeks ago that since we had been having difficulties finding a league or tournament to join, that we should create our own - thus the 1st Annual Legacy Cup was born. It was a bit of work and I won't say the first day went off without a hitch, but it has been worth it.

Organizing anything in Thailand has its challenges, and trying to encourage students to take control, while also making sure it is up to standards, makes it even more interesting.

The boys (young men!) found the things we would need, determined the budget, contacted teams, made the schedules, wrote letters, and set-up on game day. Some of them, the second and third year students especially, were really involved and I was very proud of them.

Here are a few of the students making the scoreboard. Rather ingenious I thought, with the use of rubber bands to allow one to turn each piece and create the numbers.

The banner that we had made for this year's tournament -
hopefully there will be more to follow!

The 1st and 2nd place trophies the 8 teams are playing for - along with small cash prizes!

Me at the Opening Ceremony welcoming the teams.

Here are 5 of the eight teams - this is where it was difficult to be organized.
Lots of teams came late!

An action shot of Atiwat - one of the Legacy team members.

The team rehydrating over the 10 minute break.

The Legacy team on the field.

Some of the spectators.

This year we are playing 7-7 since we don't have enough players for a full football team. We play 25 minute halves with a ten minute break. The tournament is five Sundays (four more to go!) and hopefully all the teams will have a really good time! Hopefully we will continue this in the future as a service to others.