Well somehow I've reached 6 weeks through my time at CCD and can't believe that in 4 weeks I'll be back in the UK. Whilst I'm really excited about seeing you all again, right now the idea of leaving these kids is a bit too much to think about so I'm not, I'm going to chat away about what we've been up to these last couple of weeks! It's been exhausting!!
After getting back from camp last Monday, we all struggled getting up on Tuesday but did make it to Bann Fueng Fah on time, quite a success as we're normally cycling in just as we're leaving to collect the kids from the wards! At this home I now join 2 of the thai physios and go to the younger kids ward to help feed/dress and bring the children, who mostly have cerebral palsy, down to our trolley to wheel them back to the day centre. I spent the morning, during music time, avoiding being hit by Samsak, one of the kids, throwing any musical instrument that came his way at me! This week, I helped at Rachawadee in the morning instead, taking a few of the girls swimming, unfortunately we were called back to the wards before we could take them out to lunch as the doctor was visiting and needed to see them but they did at least get a swim. Tuesday afternoons are always hectic, taking the kids at Fueng Fah to the soft play room...it's a very tiring afternoon, although i do quite enjoy the slide into the ball pit!!
Last Wednesday was Jules 21st birthday, one of the long term volunteers in the house. We started the morning with birthday breakfast of pancakes...yum and watched as she opened her huge mound of presents. We'd got her a piggy shaped frying pan (she loves pigs!) so her first pancake was pig shaped which was pretty exciting!! Spent a successful morning at Rainbow house doing physio with Don, Bee, Ploy and Aek all of whom have cerebral palsy to differing degrees. Did the same this week with mostly the same kids and talked about using the hydro pool so all going to plan we shall hopefully take some of the kids in next week. It's a shame that there just aren't the staff for it to be able to be used more regularly but hopefully this is something that will change over time.
Last Thursday at Rachawadee was one of my best and worst days at the home rolled in to one. We spent the day going to 3 different wards putting on music and dancing around, interacting with the girls and generally just making lots of noise!! It was a very sweaty experience but wonderful to see the girls laughing and joining in and copying my ridiculous dance moves! Unfortunately alongside the fun was the realisation that Rasa, the lovely girl we'd taken swimming a few weeks ago wouldn't come out to join us as she was probably tied up (we aren't allowed on her ward). We made sure we sung the songs she loves extra loud just for her! The afternoon on a different ward was also tough, it was the first time I saw first hand some of the violence that's inflicted on these girls. Focusing on the positive though, it really was great getting all the girls engaged in the music time. One particular girl who'd been rocking in the corner when we first arrived with a bit of gentle persuasion came and joined the fun and it made me so very happy to see her smile :D and dance with us...it made my day!
Yesterday was a slightly different day at Rachawadee. We spent all morning on Yellow ward, which is mainly for those with Cerebral palsy so I spent a few hours clambering into cots trying to get the girls sitting up, looking around....looking anywhere other than the ceiling!! By the afternoon, it was really hot and I was pretty knackered so I was very thankful when we decided to get the lego out outside - we had a lot of fun building huge towers while Kik sat by me, colouring as usual!
Last Friday we had 'Sports Day' at Rainbow house - only it wasn't really a day, just the morning and it started off as being just one sport - trying to kick the football into the net! We managed to expand the ideas somewhat taking the kids out to the larger garden and getting them doing egg and spoon race, running, hopping, skipping etc. We did try a wheelbarrow race however it failed miserably, instead we just went for a rolling race..I was covered in grass by the end and really really dizzy!! Botey amused everyone by taking off all his clothes and climbing in the bucket of water, it was a tight fit but he managed!!
Last weekend I travelled into Bangkok to see Caraline, who I used to work with, and her family who are over here on holiday. Was so nice catching up and relaxing over the weekend. It was especially nice to be able to show them Pakkred and Sirin house, where I live. This weekend has ended up being a long weekend for us too, unrelated to the Easter Bank Holidays you guys have, in fact we only found out we had monday off on wednesday...apparently someone in the royal family died last year and its to mourn for them. We've been told if we leave the house Sunday-Tuesday we have to wear dark clothes to show our respect. Today, Saturday, we've been to Chatachak Market, a sprawling market on the outskirts of Bangkok. We left before it got too busy and had to make a quick dash for our bus home as the heavens opened. Driving back was an experience, we're not in wet season yet but you'd have thought we were, the roads flooded so quickly, was quite impressive!
ooo and final bit of news, we have 2 new residents in the Sirin household, Joop Joop and Buttercup who are flying squirrels. I'd probably describe them as flying mice but actually they're a bit cuter than the image that conjures up. We're looking after them for a girl at church who's returned to the US for a few months.. the only downside is they really smell.
Anyway enough rambling from me. Will blog again soon! Happy Easter to you all!! x
