Chiang Mai training

This week we went to Chiang Mai, actually a bit south of the city well-known for the nice natural scenery. But we didn't go for the fun it, but actually worked in this place where all Farangs (white guys) usually go for holiday !
Pi Tiou, the founder and director of the Home Hak Foundation, has a reputation that exceeded what I first thought. Not only a voice fighting against AIDS and for youth, but also she's got a pretty good standing in seminars about innovative thinking and group dynamics ! Now that came as something of a surprise to me, what with our limited mind placing people who care for kids far from anything having to do with business or the modern world, but actually Pi Tiou really has an outstanding charisma when it comes to dealing with groups, especially youths, and also breaking conventional ways of thought.

The Doi Inthanon National Park staff called up on her to share experiences and enrich their program concerning camps they organize for schools of the Chiang Mai vicinity. Pi Tiou, Yin, Peow, Dara, Pi Puu and I were the team chosen to help out. So for over a week, we discovered the motivated persons of the staff, aiming at making children discover the marvellous specificities of the biggest and highest park in Thailand. Days of training alternated with short camps when children were on site, and I really discovered the meaning of the thai, “mai pen rai” - it's not a problem – once more. Plannings for the days were changed about every 2 hours, not only because of the often-changing mountain weather, but especially because the main goal of the exercise was to constantly observe how the children were reacting to what was happening. If an activity really pleases them, run into overtime without hesitating, and in the same way, if 20 minutes into another you're hearing a lot of fidgeting and yawns, break it up and get them running ! Great training for me, also it's the first time I really see Pi Tiou in action, totally in her element leading groups of kids and adults alike to discover the riches the have within, and to find the energy to share and build on it.

Of course this was also a great time for me to discuss of many things with these key persons of the Home Hak staff, away from the daily routine and once again in an engaging natural environment. But I started missing the children from day 1 of the camp, and since I have then 2 weeks in Europe for administrative visa issues, these will be hard weeks !

Nong Nen is still at the hospital, but living away from all her friends seems to be taking a toll on her stamina... we're thinking of bringing her back home for her to try to get better. Never underestimate the power of the mind on the body ! And since nothing in particular is done at the hospital that cannot be done by Aude, a voluntary nurse, it's just as well.

Oh, and the staff back home phoned that Nong Pai, a 5-year old boy, hit his head real hard falling from somewhere in the new building. Now how is it that kids don't know if something is dangerous until they try ? But his crying was a good sign, better than still silence so we could laugh about it. He's a strong kid.

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