My Volunteer Experience in Thailand Part 1
(Subsomboonpittayakom School)
by Meredythe Goethe (International Intern 2009-2010)
(Click here to see Meredythe's volunteer gallery)
Before planning my trip to Thailand, I did not know very much about the country or its culture. Although various travel books outlined the country’s climate and customs, it is an entirely different experience to be completely immersed in a new environment. Even more exciting has been living in Bangkok while working as an International Intern for Children Art Foundation.
One of my most rewarding experiences in the three months I have lived in Thailand has been my visit to the Subsonboonpittayakom School in Tak. CAF has been closely connected with this school for the past two years, and it is through generous donations and volunteer efforts that we have been able to conduct art workshops, provide art supplies to the students and showcase their work in New York City.
Although it takes under an hour to fly from Bangkok to Pitsanulouk, the commute to the Subsomboonpittayakom School in Tak is another three hours by car. After leaving the main road, it takes twenty minutes to reach the school on the bumpy dirt road that is hardly wide enough for passing cars and occasionally littered with chickens. This is a distance that many of the children travel by foot or bicycle if they do not have a parent who can escort them via motorbike. The Subsomboonpittayakom School lies at the very end of the road next to an open field where the children pass their free time by playing soccer. We were greeted by the school’s Principal, Mongkol Maeteedham, who graciously treated us to a lunch of classic Northern Thai cuisine in their cafeteria. Children may either bring their own lunch or buy from the cafeteria. They also sell sweets and cakes for a reduced price, as many of the children receive a limited 
allowance that averages three USD per week. On the wall lies a notable list of rules for the school. Unlike most American schools that emphasize the importance of children’s behavior and obedience, these rules simply ask that the students be willing to learn and that the teachers be capable and willing to teach.
As we were eating, we caught the attention of several children who grew increasingly curious about their new visitors. Some students recognized Tan from his previous visits and were excited to see him again. We met Ms. Patharawan Yongchai who teaches the third grade. She has worked with Tanapol Pachoei and Cesar Alfonso on art projects that have been featured in CAF shows in New York alongside artwork produced by students at the Harriet and Robert Heilbrunn Guild School in Manhattan. After introducing myself as a volunteer and meeting the students, they began their open art period. Each student received an 8x10” sketchbook and shared a package of twelve colored pencils with their neighbor. While some children quickly began sketching in pencil, others thought about their picture carefully and worked diligently on themes and concepts. Similarly, some children began using their colored pencils soon after they had outlined their idea, while other students were very hesitant to add a permanent mark until they were sure that they had properly rendered their subject. Many chose to draw a scene outdoors with their friends and family near rice paddies, trees and rivers. Others focused on an isolated object such as a tree or an animal. One student drew an owl with extraordinary detail and 
apparent ease, although this didn’t seem to dissuade other students who took a more expressive approach with bold use of color. Even working with a language barrier, the students were very gracious and allowed me to admire their works in progress. One student asked for help drawing a farmer, and soon half of the class was asking me to draw girls and boys and farmers in their pictures. Several students wandered into the open door of the classroom to sing and dance for us as the art period ended. Although the class grew restless as they completed their drawings, they always remained polite and respectful to their visitors, their teacher and to each other.
Tan took many pictures throughout our visit to the Subsomboonpittayakom School. The students were very excited to see his digital camera, knowing that they would have their picture taken and enjoy immediate results.
It was a true pleasure to visit the Subsomboonpittayakom School, both in terms of cross-cultural immersion and appreciating the efforts that these children expel every day just to receive an education. I am very grateful to Cesar Alfonso, Tanapol Pachoei and the students and staff at the Subsomboonpittayakom School for all of their help and support.