Volunteer Training

After a day of getting our bearings and meeting the other volunteers (an American family, a Swedish man, and women from Holland, England, and Switzerland) we all had dinner together with the staff on the banks of the Mekong River. Our training began the next day, and we spent the morning learning Thai, and then practiced what we learned ordering our lunch at a local restaurant, which we managed to do– Sam can even say “no soy sauce” (to avoid gluten) in addition to “I am a vegetarian”, and now can order everywhere for himself and Jackson.  In the afternoon we discussed culture and learned more language, finishing the day with a meal with the staff, which we helped them cook  in the outdoor kitchen.

Thursday and Friday we had field trips, more Thai lessons, and discussions about teaching.  On Friday afternoon we went to teach a test lesson to the novice monks at the temple school.  Jackson and I teamed with a 20-year-old American to teach a short unit on clothing.  The boys were about 18, and were quick to smile and laugh– it was a lot of fun.  Sam taught a lesson with the other American boy on colors and animals, and did a great job.

The OpenMind website has posted photos taken by the staff during the training.  Cross-culture and volunteer training 27 July 2011 | Facebook

Outside our room at OpenMind headquarters

Kai cooking in the outdoor kitchen

Receiving the knotted bracelet of welcome from our Thai hosts

Our practice lessons

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