tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17674491906132287002024-03-05T04:52:36.398-08:00Wish You Were HereKrystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-14491076492006717112012-01-02T15:08:00.000-08:002012-01-02T15:09:26.625-08:00The dreaded GRE...I know I have been a complete slacker on posting on my blog ever since I got back from Thailand. This is in part due to the fact that I was attempting (key word) to focus on studying for the GRE and my graduate school search. Sadly, it was more due to the fact that what I have been spending my time on is not very interesting.<br />
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Let's be honest--how many people want to read about my days spent researching master's programs, studying vocabulary and math, and completing very tedious (and often dreadful) Econ assignments? Yeah, didn't think so.<br />
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But now that most of that is over with, I can share what might be of interest to some of you. It pertains to my experience with Graduate Records Exam (GRE). As some of you know, the test was dramatically changed in August 2011. The scoring system is different, as is much of the material they test you on (for more information <a href="http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about">click here</a>). I won't go into the particulars, but for those of you thinking about going to graduate school and taking the GRE, here are some tips that I found in my time preparing for and then taking the test:<br />
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1. <b>Don't study too much or too little.</b> Remember 2 things to help you strike a balance between overdoing it and being a little too lazy. One- this is JUST a test! Two- This is a test that could change your life.<br />
I studied for a little over 2 months. For me, this was the perfect amount of time to completely relearn algebra, geometry, statistics, etc, and brush up on advanced vocabulary. <br />
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2. <b>Study to eliminate weaknesses and build on existing strengths. </b>Math is my weakness. English and writing are my strengths. I spent 85+ percent of my time studying for the quantitative section. I spent zero time studying for the analytical, as I always found that studying how to write well is a waste of time. And I spent all my verbal studying time on vocabulary.<br />
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3. <b>Don't underestimate the power of PRACTICE.</b> Seriously this is the best tip I can give you. Take practice tests AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I wish I would have done this more. Practice the things you are studying over and over again. If you don't, you'll just forget them come test time.<br />
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4. <b>Accept that the GRE is a standardized test, and as such is supposed to test your knowledge AND your natural abilities.</b> As much as I studied for math, I didn't get close to a perfect score. And this is because I can't make myself brilliant at math in 2 months. I probably can't do it in 6 months. The GRE has too many potential things it could ask you, which is why you must rely on your accumulated knowledge. This, I believe, particularly applies to the Verbal section, since reading comprehension is not something one can study, but something that is built up over time.<br />
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5. <b>Buy or use resources that you won't dread studying from, then</b> s<b>et a study schedule and stick to it. </b>I bought or borrowed numerous books, some of which I hated (and so barely used). Others I loved because they were user friendly.<br />
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My hated book(s)/resources: Barron huge GRE book. The math study guide by ETS.<br />
Books/resources I found helpful: Barron's Essential Words for the GRE, Kaplan's free practice tests online, the free practice test by ETS, and any free test I found in borrowed books.<br />
My favorite GRE study book: Cliffnotes Math Review for Standardized Tests<br />
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And a few things to keep in mind about testing day<br />
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<li><b>The test is long. I mean REALLY long.</b> If you aren't used to sitting in one place for 4 hours straight, you will be in trouble if you don't take enough practice tests in actual testing conditions. I took about 4 practice tests, none of which I completed in test-like conditions. Big mistake. Around section 4 of 6 I reached my tolerance point for reading yet another endless passage. This induced me to guess more, and care less. </li>
<li><b>Remember the difference between a square and a circle. </b>Some questions require just one response, others allow you to choose more than one. The shape of the button you click on will indicate which type of question you are dealing with. </li>
<li><b>Pay attention to the clock.</b> During practice tests I had no problem completing the verbal sections with time left over, but on actual testing day I spent more time on each question, and found myself having to guess on the last few per section. So look at the clock!</li>
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And that's it. While I won't post my scores on my blog (sorry people), I can report that I did very well on the verbal, did exactly how I expected on the math, and was slightly disappointed with my analytical score. </div>
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All in all, I feel content. We'll see if that changes once I get responses back from my potential graduate programs. Wish me luck! </div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-28011876740287162672011-12-05T17:28:00.001-08:002011-12-06T09:22:43.308-08:00The Kids ARE alright!In my haze of GRE studying, I forgot to tell you about some exciting news. I heard back from DEPDC about the packages. They received the school supplies that were generously donated by so many. My class also received my letter and the little gifts I included for each of the children.<br />
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Below is Alinda, the Director at DEPDC reading my letter to the class.<br />
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The entire class. I am worried that so many of them are missing. But as we all experienced, the kids have frequent absences, especially during seasons of crop planting and harvesting. I also noticed two new additions, including the little girl in the middle.<br />
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It feels like I just left Thailand, and that I have been away forever, all at the same time. Needless to say, it appears not much has changed at DEPDC. Our class is much the same, and from the pictures, look to be doing well.<br />
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What a relief, to finally have proof of their continued existence! And to know that my dreams of late were once my daily reality. With these pictures I remembered, if only for a fleeting moment, how it was, who I was, and what we did.<br />
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It is a thing I hope never to forget.Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-31206977379817002312011-10-16T19:54:00.000-07:002011-12-06T09:24:16.371-08:00My Surprise of School SuppliesWhile I was in Thailand, I had an idea of how to help <a href="http://www.depdc.org/">DEPDC</a> with their funding problems. It was simple really. One of DEPDC's main projects is their Half-Day School, where I worked teaching level 1 English classes. And what do schools need? <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">School supplies</span></b></i> of course!<br />
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Me and a few others set off to try to get donations from people back in the States. The idea was that people would be more willing to donate supplies than money. Well, this plan had a bit of a flaw. Our email sent out was too complicated, and looking back, asked too much. We didn't get much of a response.<br />
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When I got home to the States in September, my mom let me know that after she had received my email, she had made an announcement at church to the women about it. One announcement. That is it. They put a small box in an area of the church, for any supplies to be added to. She asked me if I would be willing to announce the drive to the women as well, which I did, briefly.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Before you, is the response we received.</span></b> And this does not include the cash donations, which were put towards shipping costs.<br />
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Since I took these pictures, much more has been donated, and we are planning on sending a second box in the next few weeks.<br />
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I couldn't resist adding little presents for my class in the first box. Since the box got there after the children had left for a month-long fall break, I will have to wait to see what the response is at DEPDC. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">They have promised to send pictures! </span></b><br />
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I can't <b><i>wait</i></b> to see the kids' reactions. I am thinking it is going to be something like this. :)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">And a parting thought: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. ~Mother Teresa</span></i></span></div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-54005268332051215932011-10-08T12:11:00.000-07:002011-10-08T12:17:31.400-07:00These are the Best Days of my LifeI never blogged about my favorite day at DEPDC. One of my favorite's, because there are many. It also happened to be my last day there.<br />
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August 23, 2011. It started out much as every day in Thailand, with a long bus ride to the border town, Mae Sai. We had our entire group (well, those of us who were left), there that day. Me, Aub, Dave, Courtney, Andy, and Mitch. On the bus we hauled as many bags as we could carry full of clothes and toiletries to donate to both DEPDC and the orphanage. I'm sure we all looked quite strange, all these farangs with trash bags.<br />
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It was a little strange going up with everyone, as I was used to only the regulars being with me. I know one of my weaknesses while in Thailand was that I was a bit too possessive of the kids. I only wanted people going up to DEPDC who genuinely cared, worked hard, and who wanted to be there.<br />
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Despite this, I am glad they headed up, as Andy was so nice to take pictures of the day (I was usually too busy to take any pictures with me and the kids), and Dave so sweet to translate. </div>
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We started out class with Dave and I letting the kids know that it was our last day at DEPDC. I swear, when I was talking and Dave translating, it was the quietest I saw the kids EVER. They listened attentively, with eyes wide. It was a calmness I had never felt from the kids. It was like they were telling me they were going to be okay, and that I would be okay too. </div>
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Aub and I had scheduled the whole day out, as we did not want to waste a moment with the kids. Aub had the great idea of having the kids make cards for Sompop and Alinda, the founder and director at DEPDC. It was so cute. Without us even telling them, the kids decided to draw their hands on one of the cards, and hearts on the other. </div>
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We made sure to get the kids back to the front with half the class time left, as we had a bit of a surprise for them. Aub, Lars, Jamie, Manasa, and I had made cards for each of the kids, with personalized messages in Thai and a picture of us with the class pasted inside. The cards were beautiful, and I was so excited to present them to the kids. Aub had also make bracelets for each of them, each unique in its own way.<br />
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We called each of the kids up individually, and I was so glad to be able to single each one out, and to be able to show each of them how much they meant to me and all of us. Most of the kids loved it, some were embarrassed, and some acted too cool for the whole thing. I was happy to see that we only had two kids missing that day, as most days we have more than that absent. </div>
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At the very end of class we had the kids pick out a movie that we were going to watch together in the afternoon. While the kids were at lunch, Aub and I, through the help of key people at DEPDC, procured the large open auditorium to use their projector and projection screen. I was so excited for the kids to be able to watch a movie on the "big" screen.<br />
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The young guys at DEPDC were great, helping us set everything up for the movie. Aub and I had brought all kinds of treats for the kids, including popcorn. We bought about 20 bags of it at 7-eleven in Chiang Rai, and carried them all the way to Mae Sai. The things you have to do when there are no microwaves.<br />
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I had a great time during the movie just hanging out with the kids. They would feed me popcorn (literally put it in my mouth) and different kids kept coming up to me to give me cards. They were so sweet. Many of them had began making the cards right after I told them it was our last day, and spent the time during the movie making their little creations. Other of the kids were in full attention during the entire movie, as I am sure they had never seen a movie that large before. It was so cute to watch them.<br />
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After the movie, it was time to say our goodbyes. I was ready for the moment, and prepared myself to put on a happy face for the kids. Somehow, I caught each one of them, even those that usually hurry away. I was so thankful for the opportunity to say goodbye to them individually, and to be able to hug and whisper words of farewell and love to each of them.<br />
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I was particularly touched by one such goodbye. </div>
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It was with Sisen (The boy above on the left), a child who is smart but who acts out constantly in class. He is my most distracting student, as he talks throughout lessons, and leads many of the younger boys to follow his example. But this day was different. During that day he would come up to me and give me hugs, or just shout "Kryssy" and give me sweet smilies. The kid, it short, surprised me. I didn't know he cared that much. Sisen gave me multiple hugs that day, and after the movie, as we were saying goodbye, he kissed me on the cheek and kept his little arms wrapped around my neck. He followed me as I was walking away, and would not leave my side. He was sweeter than I had ever seen him. </div>
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He was the one, more than any other, who made me feel like, at the moment, it was all worth it. All those hard days, where the kids wouldn't listen, or be quiet, when they would fight or be angry or worse, were all nothing. I went to Thailand for him. For him to know that someone wanted him to succeed, that someone wanted him to grow and progress and become more than he though was possible. And he was there for me, to show me that sacrifice is a necessary part of life, that love comes in many forms, and that service, once given, is never forgotten. </div>
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He'll be in my heart, as will all the other kids, forever. As I walked up the path away from the kids and DEPDC, I did finally loose it. I did not want to leave. Not for them, but for me. They made my life better, and I was happier with them in it. Thus, in my last moment, I cried selfishly. But what more can you do, when you know they have given you more than you could ever give back?<br />
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My last day in Thailand ends here, with a conviction that real service, when given, is the greatest gift you can bestow upon yourself.Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-79937734021200650482011-09-20T18:13:00.000-07:002011-09-20T18:16:29.973-07:00My Volunteer Journey, In Video FormOur group in Thailand decided to make a video that encompassed our journey in Thailand, and the people we met and worked with along the way. Here it is in its final form for your viewing pleasure.<br />
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I loved my experience. I hope this video can bring you into what was my world.<br />
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<br />Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-3820888065711309852011-09-07T23:16:00.000-07:002011-09-07T23:16:55.187-07:00A Sad Song has no EndingAs I sit here writing this from my comfortable house in California, nice things surround me that I went without in Thailand. I now have a bed. And a mattress. I have a light near me I can turn on and off. I have nice clothes that don't get worn often, filling up a closest with plastic and metal hangers. I have a desk with which to do important type things and a bookshelf to keep important sounding books. Around the house is my car, which I am told is also nice.<br />
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All of these things are comfortable and nice. They are things I have not had in quite some time. Some are things I thought necessary. Others helped me feel important. None compare to what I had in Thailand.<br />
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I always hear authoritative-type people say "The heart grows fonder with time" (or is it "distance"). I hope this is not the case. Because I don't think my heart can handle anymore where Thailand is concerned. 'I apologize', I would say to my the feeling side of myself, 'but my heart is filled to capacity. There is no room.'<br />
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The room is taken up, as room usually is in the heart, by people. Specifically, by the little people I left behind. You see, Thailand did something to me. I call it 'my obsession' but perhaps it is more aptly called 'my addiction'.<br />
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My obsession is like this: I love the kids at DEPDC.<br />
I love serving them.<br />
I love seeing their warm smiles.<br />
I love teaching them.<br />
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I love waking up each morning knowing I have so much to look forward to. </div>
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I love the hugs. </div>
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And the laughter. </div>
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I even love the classroom noise. </div>
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My heart breaks to know that they probably will not get the same chances I had.<br />
It breaks more when I wonder what will happen to them.<br />
Does the past truly determine our future? Will it for these kids?<br />
They have already had hard lives. And they are so young.<br />
Will this be their lot in life?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn5brk_M1UKUiLJV40hnykWuC-BENi131N227ljfxGz8y6dcg8NzHfYokK5MYcXfwNyvg5VBFAYvf9-hjfKxizuG779SkXv6f_LGsqllgmKWKPNARBazBxyUbHq34DRUvIg6X00HSgu8/s1600/DSCN9873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn5brk_M1UKUiLJV40hnykWuC-BENi131N227ljfxGz8y6dcg8NzHfYokK5MYcXfwNyvg5VBFAYvf9-hjfKxizuG779SkXv6f_LGsqllgmKWKPNARBazBxyUbHq34DRUvIg6X00HSgu8/s640/DSCN9873.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Most of the time I don't think about these things. It is just too dang hard. Instead, I reflect on the possibility of what might be, in the picture I create of their future lives.<br />
I imagine them in charmed lives.<br />
Lives filled with love, health, and safety.<br />
They are graduates of school.<br />
And fathers and mothers in their own right.<br />
Who can provide for their family.<br />
And teach their children.<br />
And keep them safe.<br />
And free from preventable diseases.<br />
<br />
This is what I hope and pray for them.<br />
<br />
I also pray that my disappearance will not cause them pain.<br />
That they will get a new teacher (right now they don't have one).<br />
That this teacher will understand what is at stake.<br />
What is at stake?<br />
Only a life.<br />
<br />
Her life.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JEu5oe1RgN9cIJsGACsKSVib7ULydAqDIVMFhrbyVWOLg2mz-0tePOCyPd2pEx1BTt4bGBasABij7TUZCmVX8qmvUHN7ZzF9BLf5we0qGWCHqOVetUY-YVYR23VLT8r3BHOfurWLaLw/s1600/DSCN9783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JEu5oe1RgN9cIJsGACsKSVib7ULydAqDIVMFhrbyVWOLg2mz-0tePOCyPd2pEx1BTt4bGBasABij7TUZCmVX8qmvUHN7ZzF9BLf5we0qGWCHqOVetUY-YVYR23VLT8r3BHOfurWLaLw/s640/DSCN9783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
His life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj5jTpUyifGygBelsnWJTgGS_9FaVPHuZJix5zvw6A5Ki2mqBHJ7ZZR7Vuf4FHz8DBSx-vcrVLvZ2yYJmerbooHN2-kXoP8Iz6zDB4x4LTNPc9Smxb3kFihe5ePP2ub7JL82c8XP1I2M/s1600/DSCN0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj5jTpUyifGygBelsnWJTgGS_9FaVPHuZJix5zvw6A5Ki2mqBHJ7ZZR7Vuf4FHz8DBSx-vcrVLvZ2yYJmerbooHN2-kXoP8Iz6zDB4x4LTNPc9Smxb3kFihe5ePP2ub7JL82c8XP1I2M/s640/DSCN0051.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
That's it, really.<br />
<br />
The question is, <b>what can we do for them? </b><br />
Happily, this is a question I have an answer for.<br />
<br />
<b>You can donate money.</b><br />
<a href="http://www.give2asia.org/depdc">http://www.give2asia.org/depdc</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(this way is tax-deductible)</span><br />
or <a href="http://www.depdc.org/eng/help/how_to_donate.html">http://www.depdc.org/eng/help/how_to_donate.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>You can donate your time.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeVqTf9VzT66OX8lwEqb0S9hDJnw-H8V0GVdfaFsfhmUisjTQx2QykyBzFLAH5KsZ3gWB2U9msLBEIHR73ih9Aar875Z4Rlyl06kkkgpr5yEHsijYcKFhhYnXonF_u5LfFS9HTZh8Ops/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>If you are interested in volunteering at DEPDC, contact me by <a href="mailto:krystalndowns@gmail.com">email</a>.<br />
You could be their next teacher.<br />
<br />
Help DEPDC help them. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeVqTf9VzT66OX8lwEqb0S9hDJnw-H8V0GVdfaFsfhmUisjTQx2QykyBzFLAH5KsZ3gWB2U9msLBEIHR73ih9Aar875Z4Rlyl06kkkgpr5yEHsijYcKFhhYnXonF_u5LfFS9HTZh8Ops/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeVqTf9VzT66OX8lwEqb0S9hDJnw-H8V0GVdfaFsfhmUisjTQx2QykyBzFLAH5KsZ3gWB2U9msLBEIHR73ih9Aar875Z4Rlyl06kkkgpr5yEHsijYcKFhhYnXonF_u5LfFS9HTZh8Ops/s640/IMG_1972.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-36550653511077939342011-08-12T09:34:00.000-07:002011-08-12T09:34:08.422-07:00This VIDEO has the potential to CHANGE LIVESWithout further adieu, the video that we have been working so hard on. All about the non-profit <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">DEPDC/GMS</span></b> and the great work they are doing to <b><i>prevent</i> the</b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">trafficking of children</span></b>.<br />
<div><div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Please watch. </b><b>Please share. Please act. </b></div><div><br />
</div><div>These kids have changed my life. Let us help them change theirs. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DVP0uzKt0Hs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br />
</div></div></div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-2655468588981194332011-08-09T07:02:00.000-07:002011-08-09T07:02:02.551-07:00Rice Planting oh my!Last week most of our group had the opportunity to help the girls at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001467042737">Monsaengdao Recovery Center</a> plant rice. I haven't blogged at all about Monsaengdao (or as we call it, the Recovery School) since I am always so busy at DEPDC.<br />
<br />
The Recovery school is a residential living campus that houses girls who have been abused, trafficked, or otherwise mistreated or abandoned by their families. The girls range in age from 12-18 and they currently have a little over 30 girls living at the center. The center focuses heavily on the natural environment and both protecting and using these resources responsibly.<br />
<br />
This brings me back to the rice fields. The school has about 10 rice fields, and since it is rice planting season, we were asked to help the girls plant!<br />
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Let me tell you, rice planting is HARD. I will never eat rice again without appreciating the back breaking time and effort it takes to harvest tiny bits of rice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4Mynn85A8H5DEiSaZaoxUqiGjWa1BRpQuwxZZpMGPi_L_5gtmLMdTxtFVm0Wxh-OdWrGogS0SNjoHwZXhCLbDTrP2sKvwMuh9lPR1QL7IJJh9MbcurNcw-BJnpNyHEGSfaGnMGR7zBg/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4Mynn85A8H5DEiSaZaoxUqiGjWa1BRpQuwxZZpMGPi_L_5gtmLMdTxtFVm0Wxh-OdWrGogS0SNjoHwZXhCLbDTrP2sKvwMuh9lPR1QL7IJJh9MbcurNcw-BJnpNyHEGSfaGnMGR7zBg/s640/IMG_2094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Us with the rice plants. We had to stick individual strands of these into the water, one at a time....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziHbInk4pFDOhC7D3URz5YGxTgzWIPCMMXTUniC1WN8uoK3c-updDAZQCXKe5nVp0F5QpFTZ4UCAi6pPcqKGVsFEuIUJ1f1v5_tqNqdLiuFEyJzkI7LpyTrcpFS-k0bgDG766Ehi8rAo/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziHbInk4pFDOhC7D3URz5YGxTgzWIPCMMXTUniC1WN8uoK3c-updDAZQCXKe5nVp0F5QpFTZ4UCAi6pPcqKGVsFEuIUJ1f1v5_tqNqdLiuFEyJzkI7LpyTrcpFS-k0bgDG766Ehi8rAo/s640/IMG_2101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Hudson trying to help me out. As we say in Thailand, Hudson jaidee!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd1Y4-aBWOdmI64vdCoumM-TkXOhWlKckhXTyo8b6u9tR4J0ATgOUZgwHJNgJoZgiKxa_RG-hWMvYz3rzKWoX8qKh7Wv37kZ-kd9ZpdI4tL9r2gO9c99zu86Iezr9dMSSAGeh4eN1pjc/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd1Y4-aBWOdmI64vdCoumM-TkXOhWlKckhXTyo8b6u9tR4J0ATgOUZgwHJNgJoZgiKxa_RG-hWMvYz3rzKWoX8qKh7Wv37kZ-kd9ZpdI4tL9r2gO9c99zu86Iezr9dMSSAGeh4eN1pjc/s640/IMG_2080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHlgY0tAxMqLw6N-q7w-ncHBrEotTDSWMDL2x9FTrPNOtyS19ANZsgP96k8HABESsmbKJKSFK26-luJkhy66HlklbS7_OWVmWGSa1NQl6dluAf3C7qriUaCjSFfilMF_4mkIfL6JDjek/s1600/IMG_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHlgY0tAxMqLw6N-q7w-ncHBrEotTDSWMDL2x9FTrPNOtyS19ANZsgP96k8HABESsmbKJKSFK26-luJkhy66HlklbS7_OWVmWGSa1NQl6dluAf3C7qriUaCjSFfilMF_4mkIfL6JDjek/s640/IMG_2038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> We were pretty much bent over like this the entire time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc7g0xt2y5gFxjl1BDfiFvsIWfaXaYpnstC7liLW-9rM8n-eA9cVRw9ZFH3BU6y-ccCGwW0XN68uAfoVKwcDnVvHOczKoYiSOIVVjrYt84JAzHFqCwal2jAQnoANKQwvniMcpz_ny_S8/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc7g0xt2y5gFxjl1BDfiFvsIWfaXaYpnstC7liLW-9rM8n-eA9cVRw9ZFH3BU6y-ccCGwW0XN68uAfoVKwcDnVvHOczKoYiSOIVVjrYt84JAzHFqCwal2jAQnoANKQwvniMcpz_ny_S8/s640/IMG_2133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqiYIz6r9wZ2e_sqOXIt3LiBTHZmLfFAMukTHL_D3ILRfQY0vCTovncZBRwuzScsets8e8CydcoGVSYBSr3y9GoaHMMrelVWQUEQ-QzQ11KMsatnTMZ_IchB45z9NsGF0S1-1AdjepqI/s1600/DSCN6860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqiYIz6r9wZ2e_sqOXIt3LiBTHZmLfFAMukTHL_D3ILRfQY0vCTovncZBRwuzScsets8e8CydcoGVSYBSr3y9GoaHMMrelVWQUEQ-QzQ11KMsatnTMZ_IchB45z9NsGF0S1-1AdjepqI/s640/DSCN6860.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Manasa, Jamie, Me, and Lars on the bus after a hard days work planting. This pictures does not do our level of dirtiness justice.<br />
<br />
While I had fun and bonded with my teammates and the girls, I think I can safely say that I have ruled out rice farmer as my future profession.Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-25887430920753450412011-07-30T01:01:00.000-07:002011-07-30T01:01:42.645-07:00The Star Chart, Our Saving GraceI love the star chart we have at DEPDC. Our classroom has changed dramatically since implementing our system of privileges and discipline. I highly recommend it for all teachers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfftWo9OBteq7XtptwxA6-jRkJMPu4LgXfMTgoI9dMlY1t6gKbdF1xq-JZSJKuDfsUPWRVLuau4NOzojG1AbRr47mkYoSRtl5cIpX7TAmU77Nd7xc51H1wjstxBGmAclgDQg9EdjpmTo/s1600/IMG_1873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfftWo9OBteq7XtptwxA6-jRkJMPu4LgXfMTgoI9dMlY1t6gKbdF1xq-JZSJKuDfsUPWRVLuau4NOzojG1AbRr47mkYoSRtl5cIpX7TAmU77Nd7xc51H1wjstxBGmAclgDQg9EdjpmTo/s640/IMG_1873.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I was talking to one of the other volunteers yesterday about how far we have come as teachers since we arrived in May. I am not afraid to admit that we had no clue what we were doing. We knew what we were supposed to do, but did not yet know the best way to do it. We didn't know yet what worked and didn't work with the kids. We didn't yet know how to teach them not just correctly, but in a way that allowed them to both have fun, love learning, and remember what we had taught them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7xMk2GGz0jlnbbnEswMvQosSFuONqx2uH1Vi_gMlmuTmBbNJHH7j5A5Bxw-4qFkUo-ny2GWJgEL1BowPJF3yNiYQPXNyMD8LhsDa6IV2HlSe8G6-zr5wUI2veQX_A0dNMrMx4VcJvFA/s1600/IMG_1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7xMk2GGz0jlnbbnEswMvQosSFuONqx2uH1Vi_gMlmuTmBbNJHH7j5A5Bxw-4qFkUo-ny2GWJgEL1BowPJF3yNiYQPXNyMD8LhsDa6IV2HlSe8G6-zr5wUI2veQX_A0dNMrMx4VcJvFA/s640/IMG_1883.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We are still learning. But we know now all the kids. We know which ones will act out, those that need more attention, those prone to fits, and the teacher's pets. We know what works (visuals, mixing it up, media) and what doesn't (writing words on the board, talking a lot in English, boring lessons).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbJpT2qbURf7AHy9aKXA9WOMnXcH1AWEp-C994tBVnfiTR_dguPH1r7V_72lXxnLrc-H7H_DccxpVxQvALyRHoFcUdjdQRGPHGaocjMpn7qKc04l57n4hS6eZHHzWTs1XIqBQmc4hRsg/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbJpT2qbURf7AHy9aKXA9WOMnXcH1AWEp-C994tBVnfiTR_dguPH1r7V_72lXxnLrc-H7H_DccxpVxQvALyRHoFcUdjdQRGPHGaocjMpn7qKc04l57n4hS6eZHHzWTs1XIqBQmc4hRsg/s640/IMG_1885.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We can now see the kids at their best. The star chart has helped with this. We have a system that allows us to reward the kids for being good. The kids look forward to the chart time at the end of class everyday. I believe they love the stickers and what they mean more than the love the actual prizes. And what even surprised me, the love the order it creates. They love that they are being acknowledged for their efforts, and watch for others in class who are not following the rules.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-S0MO0wU04OVeTpcF3pwAr51fhSgvA60N9801wtrbLme_lffYo-eXp0up-G34GEpHRuTVU1bv0DNh4mj4nGzs_qQEU0hlswqgTxL0VZ4_YLsQY84V78-5sT3HGoaq7naaoeG2XjA7Ks/s1600/IMG_1888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-S0MO0wU04OVeTpcF3pwAr51fhSgvA60N9801wtrbLme_lffYo-eXp0up-G34GEpHRuTVU1bv0DNh4mj4nGzs_qQEU0hlswqgTxL0VZ4_YLsQY84V78-5sT3HGoaq7naaoeG2XjA7Ks/s640/IMG_1888.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Classes have improved so much, which makes both me and the kids happy. When in doubt, try a star chart. It will change your classroom.Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-14170061898253781912011-07-26T22:40:00.000-07:002011-07-26T23:04:33.471-07:00Work, the Greatest Healer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have come to find that I am addicted to the work here in Thailand. With so much to do and so little time left (less than a month!) I am seriously worried that I will not be able to leave all there is to do behind. I am already getting anxious about the amount of work there is left to do, as I imagine all of us leaving with no one to fill in for us once we are gone. It is with sadness that I admit there is more to do here than will ever get done, even if I and the entire team dedicate our life's work to this place and its people. </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But it is with great joy that I think about all that we have done, and will still do for the children that we love so dearly. Work here has been going amazing, and it never fails that I wake up excited every day to go out and, as I like to say, do the good work. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As per usual, I have been dedicating 100% of my time to DEPDC. Our projects there have been getting on brilliantly. Our kindergarten/level one class has gained a sense of organization and cohesiveness that I never thought possible! We had the opportunity and good fortune of being given a newly finished classroom, especially helpful because we didn't have a classroom at all before. The classroom is so beautiful and I love the order it brings to our classes to have actual desks. Thanks so much to ISV (another group of volunteers) for the classroom!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwRkQdZH85Cl730TzgDSRohZsx9SOkHqqwcMckp_QMhC_t5AJc_F6TMR_ujX_Ky4PWZh585mKAtmP41EYhw1j5LbuoIVCjShwIBOEtCUpOeLlm2AyXmqT0p6GyTc3Ib1XL-YD6DSfigU/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwRkQdZH85Cl730TzgDSRohZsx9SOkHqqwcMckp_QMhC_t5AJc_F6TMR_ujX_Ky4PWZh585mKAtmP41EYhw1j5LbuoIVCjShwIBOEtCUpOeLlm2AyXmqT0p6GyTc3Ib1XL-YD6DSfigU/s640/IMG_1373.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Not pictured in the classroom is a very beautiful star chart put together by me and other HELP volunteers. The purpose of the star chart is simple. We needed a kind of discipline system as some of the students have behavioral issues. Since we don't want to put any of them out of the classroom as punishment (these are kids without any chance at education before) we decided a card system would work best. They get a yellow card for first warning, and a red card for the second warning. If they have a red card at the end of the day, they do not get a star sticker. Each child needs three stickers to get a prize. So far the kids love it, even most of the older ones. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9vrpD5y_EJQRhP1LASNCtMBkFYdUlcGo_JOnV_P1VqmNnVUNfbxlryJmFq2CtPsDEQdKqGjtzQuz1VjJQlMk-SRzU1tM8QjlG9kOfCPpbnydOpWd9aBT9fHufGZoe2pUyIceQzIK5xU/s1600/DSC_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9vrpD5y_EJQRhP1LASNCtMBkFYdUlcGo_JOnV_P1VqmNnVUNfbxlryJmFq2CtPsDEQdKqGjtzQuz1VjJQlMk-SRzU1tM8QjlG9kOfCPpbnydOpWd9aBT9fHufGZoe2pUyIceQzIK5xU/s640/DSC_0742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is our classroom before. See the difference? Keep in mind this is when class just ended. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot get over how amazing these kids are. I recently had the opportunity to visit Burma, and see the country where most of these kids come from, and where many currently live. While there Jamie, Jordan and I had the good fortune to see two of the kids from DEPDC there, and were invited to one of their homes. These kids come from such humble backgrounds, and yet have more of a spirit and motivation than most privileged kids. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Some of the boys from our class, taking a break from cleaning the grounds. Yes, these kids have to help out around DEPDC. They are taught from an early age how important hard work is to get along in life.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb2OwVBbZmbJDeBGifFSYKCKPctSVzHvp6d9f44brKLTmYUfYgXQw7S5XfRFYH7WePn6KQxV0kJpYx3V-aANieXO9Vw1oibdDFjXMmhawwuoQcn3NPURjoa7LeNCg_dVSX51ks6d72rA/s1600/P1010348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb2OwVBbZmbJDeBGifFSYKCKPctSVzHvp6d9f44brKLTmYUfYgXQw7S5XfRFYH7WePn6KQxV0kJpYx3V-aANieXO9Vw1oibdDFjXMmhawwuoQcn3NPURjoa7LeNCg_dVSX51ks6d72rA/s640/P1010348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">While in Burma we also had the opportunity of visiting a Shan school (one of he ethnic minorities in Burma). Because the Shan are originally from the Yunnan Province in China, school for them is taught in Mandarin. Crazy, right? It never ceases to amaze me how many different types of people can live in one area of the world. While at the school, many of the kids followed us everywhere (as shown in the picture). I felt bad since they were supposed to be in class. We learned while visiting that the school was one of the "good" ones in Burma and was privately funded. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYSS52uIGtLImsr0ZReQHJ3x3eUqNBNtIOToWBJ47cDojlPLA5KvAxlFBDc2Hy0ReXllVy8CcX75MmAw6HFIrXNEPpepqBYIoZlq1iyVyYABn1FMIyQlfhNUyYlmpXbtSkuNigNnSJOk/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYSS52uIGtLImsr0ZReQHJ3x3eUqNBNtIOToWBJ47cDojlPLA5KvAxlFBDc2Hy0ReXllVy8CcX75MmAw6HFIrXNEPpepqBYIoZlq1iyVyYABn1FMIyQlfhNUyYlmpXbtSkuNigNnSJOk/s640/IMG_1208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This varied from the public schools in Burma, which are lacking in skilled teachers, money, and just about anything a school would need to function properly. This is why most of our kids at DEPDC are Burmese. The education system in Burma is virtually non-existent, with teachers so underpaid that they force public students to pay bribes for them to come to class. Those who can't afford the bribes are not allowed back in the classroom. The government does nothing, as they (and the military) are the only ones making a decent living in Burma, and are, for most, the root and source of the problems and corruption in the education system and others in the country</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BibB5lfHizeFPkbDDEh0QqrLevRYqRSOrRH63l0zAVenc6rfPDzVARG74zJOqxQa3oYFLWWu3eGXU1mjXGr9Z9lkLTigj_M4vvWG6wbdndfhVyL18zY2gpnBZ1pFo6aKMXg5BlTGaRI/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BibB5lfHizeFPkbDDEh0QqrLevRYqRSOrRH63l0zAVenc6rfPDzVARG74zJOqxQa3oYFLWWu3eGXU1mjXGr9Z9lkLTigj_M4vvWG6wbdndfhVyL18zY2gpnBZ1pFo6aKMXg5BlTGaRI/s640/IMG_1103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some of the children of Burma. I had made it a new goal in life to one day adopt a Burmese child. I cannot get enough of these kids! Aren't they so adorable?</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH-3-xR0-e4KR1e2MjsPCcRZ5HBTx7_6rXE4LAyVg_P8wzaECLIrNN6xpxyo9H0th4n4eU6kdTeGrkX_K9kel10phXH9YId2eGwsQipyqHpfiKRHR4Houf29SafeXJonCi91JvAnmCPQ/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH-3-xR0-e4KR1e2MjsPCcRZ5HBTx7_6rXE4LAyVg_P8wzaECLIrNN6xpxyo9H0th4n4eU6kdTeGrkX_K9kel10phXH9YId2eGwsQipyqHpfiKRHR4Houf29SafeXJonCi91JvAnmCPQ/s640/IMG_1356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Our other big project at DEPDC was making a basketball court for the campus. This involved a lot of painting and taping to make sure we get the lines exactly right. Jason was so great for coming up with this project! I am pictures below with one of our kids, helping me paint some of the lines. The kids were so amazed they stood around watching the entire process unfold. And they are so cute, we couldn't resist letting them help paint!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBidFJaN122GBXxm1WyHwlLT1MBUnCVfFsCvVhEkHhB9RFQyE83UmGdBS2XY8yUdE5EEVHoyxjNR0fF4gVVspJ7ERaNgS6CF3zw5vaJ92CCkM2PqGFZXDE-bgsN09e6NhysaxHXFbG7ZU/s1600/DSCN0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBidFJaN122GBXxm1WyHwlLT1MBUnCVfFsCvVhEkHhB9RFQyE83UmGdBS2XY8yUdE5EEVHoyxjNR0fF4gVVspJ7ERaNgS6CF3zw5vaJ92CCkM2PqGFZXDE-bgsN09e6NhysaxHXFbG7ZU/s640/DSCN0436.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeZ4L1SKt_YBQ_Xuu86pW8a_C_aKO9zTw6dgkbnzLQudC8sIi4uu9D27BaZXi9G_LvBCpCQYGDdI6FDvsiZ86Cgqv4aYy3xFCydV_TzJ6ThP4qj-GATfL-oPfap8JZjvXyrn8O7M0sRw/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeZ4L1SKt_YBQ_Xuu86pW8a_C_aKO9zTw6dgkbnzLQudC8sIi4uu9D27BaZXi9G_LvBCpCQYGDdI6FDvsiZ86Cgqv4aYy3xFCydV_TzJ6ThP4qj-GATfL-oPfap8JZjvXyrn8O7M0sRw/s640/IMG_1374.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Above are the kids taking advantage of the court with Jason when it was finished. And yes, they are playing basketball with a soccer ball. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The video projects are also coming along really well. Lauren is a saint for getting control of these and making sure we stay on schedule for getting the videos completed by the beginning of August. These videos have been both a joy and a struggle to work on, as we have to put SO many hours intofilming, taking photos, editing, and gathering data to use in the making of these 2 simple projects. But I finally see it starting to pay off, as we are beginning to see an end in sight. Once I get the go ahead and they have been approved, I will post a link of facebook and my blog for everyone to see! Before than, please, please, please like "DEPDC" on facebook. It takes literally 5 seconds. It's the simple things that help, right?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRLAguoIWEAM8vw-GiLaqU9YNnKhcV5nEAlIQzfNt3GxK8RnvTGSYPPp6JdAxWxiuxYTkVJi6AJhbYpzH88zPBfZalFeu-YSKxn5I3rbzIvyNE8HH9C-YEHr_7m63oTM_nc3SiuT3OPs/s1600/DSC_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRLAguoIWEAM8vw-GiLaqU9YNnKhcV5nEAlIQzfNt3GxK8RnvTGSYPPp6JdAxWxiuxYTkVJi6AJhbYpzH88zPBfZalFeu-YSKxn5I3rbzIvyNE8HH9C-YEHr_7m63oTM_nc3SiuT3OPs/s640/DSC_0510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lauren and I with 3 of the girls in our class. I love this girl! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I will end with a picture of Jamie and I on the 4th of July, with one of the twins that lives next to us. Until next time...</span><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpO8v79_LqQK5UBYWztwfVHG6jABN2MQIJ8h1uQdb9xu89V9cNwht6h2LWr9oJoIJmo_qmJzcxaAOHamuQsleZvjMWDDlZ6qu3uUSy2GaM-IXjX47t1sNXUTtNUfplEaFmKBguVgPC5g/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpO8v79_LqQK5UBYWztwfVHG6jABN2MQIJ8h1uQdb9xu89V9cNwht6h2LWr9oJoIJmo_qmJzcxaAOHamuQsleZvjMWDDlZ6qu3uUSy2GaM-IXjX47t1sNXUTtNUfplEaFmKBguVgPC5g/s640/IMG_1240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-3011552768745252922011-06-30T04:25:00.000-07:002011-06-30T04:25:56.245-07:00The Decade of DeliveryThis decade has just been dubbed the "Decade of Delivery" by the U.S State Department, which just released the <a href="http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/164233.htm">2011 Trafficking in Persons Report</a>. Among its contents, it ranks each country based on its efforts (or lack of efforts) to combat human trafficking all over the world. <br />
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Not surprisingly, Thailand is listed as a Tier 2 Country, meaning that the U.S recognizes that it attempting to work against trafficking, but that there is still a significant problem. More importantly, Thailand is listed on the Tier 2 Watch List, meaning that they are in danger of being moved down to the lowest category, or to Tier 3 status. <br />
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Straight from the U.S. State Department's website, Tier 2 (Watch List) is defined as:<br />
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Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards AND:<br />
<br />
a) the absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is very significant or is significantly increasing;<br />
b) there is a failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons from the previous year, including increased investigations, prosecution, and convictions of trafficking crimes, increased assistance to victims, and decreasing evidence of complicity in severe forms of trafficking by government officials; or<br />
c) the determination that a country is making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with minimum standards was based on commitments by the country to take additional steps over the next year.<br />
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If Thailand is moved down to Tier 3 status, certain sanctions will be imposed on it, including "withholding or withdrawing nonhumanitarian, non-trade-related foreign assistance." <br />
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Thailand better get its act together soon. I personally have seen the enormous trafficking problem in Thailand. Just today, we traveled to a shelter that houses girls who have been rescued from brothels in Northern Thailand. <br />
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I am so proud of the U.S. and other governments for working against trafficking, for publicizing a report that seeks to analyse the problem and provide potential solutions, and for government officials, NGO workers, and human rights activists who work tirelessly to help lessen the number of victims in this terrible crime.<br />
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Let this be, indeed, the Decade of Deliverance.Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-58136004713037512252011-06-22T19:20:00.000-07:002011-06-22T19:20:51.226-07:00DEPDC is the place to be!I cannot begin to express how much I love working at <a href="http://www.depdc.org/">DEPDC</a>. It is a dream job come true! I love so many things about this great organization, but I love one things about it more than anything else...<br />
<br />
The kids. They are the reason behind why I do what I do everyday. They are my purpose for being in Thailand. Let me tell you about our kids. They are almost all refugees. Most are minorities. All come from the poorest of the poor. All are at extreme risk of being trafficked (yes even the boys). Some cannot even write their names in their native language.<br />
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And yet all love learning. All greet us with smilies everyday. Most are extremely optimistic about their futures and their lives. All this from kids from the bottom-most rung of society. All this from kids who, at least from the outside, would seem to be without hope, and with little chance of escaping their difficult circumstances. They are my constant example of love, hope, and positivity!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukaBLMcf-SaKeSBWqG0RHyfVuq0B-OSj-73y-ZMxAfnbwgMOhj2srcCTR1vzOa7zjHer5I_zYRgrtSG4PH6aYGc289N05CHtZXZ4HRBiDlmq7pwnRdqAmCDeJbjMeNJQ7jliyywIY7jU/s1600/DSC_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukaBLMcf-SaKeSBWqG0RHyfVuq0B-OSj-73y-ZMxAfnbwgMOhj2srcCTR1vzOa7zjHer5I_zYRgrtSG4PH6aYGc289N05CHtZXZ4HRBiDlmq7pwnRdqAmCDeJbjMeNJQ7jliyywIY7jU/s640/DSC_0413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our entire Class.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKvW3G6Mr_KPdW_Dm4Jp8gcn1aVtIfpMHTjistJOXnQvk8vI2wBTf08Y4BBwDcSG6Yqn8TY5ZSImoGyDy_oofIQT-8o5-S7PDPdelVQ1VE3uDF2C0VEcPS0wXGNI_5RXIPd3VYdkS3d0/s1600/DSC01973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKvW3G6Mr_KPdW_Dm4Jp8gcn1aVtIfpMHTjistJOXnQvk8vI2wBTf08Y4BBwDcSG6Yqn8TY5ZSImoGyDy_oofIQT-8o5-S7PDPdelVQ1VE3uDF2C0VEcPS0wXGNI_5RXIPd3VYdkS3d0/s640/DSC01973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6xsx18R5NAjUJT4LZI8BADpEV16VPEMosw5TD0CHRmFpcYKlncGEwkRr6ONnei0cRldO67SeX9lVyUz9P97kNurpte_TsvtHIztpE8cCL4EzwYvCpqpQCm7pe8NhYV6LNH-6X78-z8/s1600/DSC01975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6xsx18R5NAjUJT4LZI8BADpEV16VPEMosw5TD0CHRmFpcYKlncGEwkRr6ONnei0cRldO67SeX9lVyUz9P97kNurpte_TsvtHIztpE8cCL4EzwYvCpqpQCm7pe8NhYV6LNH-6X78-z8/s640/DSC01975.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to everyone for your support and for making this dream possible!</div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-85868279643712155102011-06-10T01:13:00.000-07:002011-06-10T01:25:05.814-07:00Projects, Projects, ProjectsI am very excited to introduce the projects I am involved in here in Thailand. All projects are at <a href="http://krystaldowns.blogspot.com/2011/05/engaged-in-good-cause.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>DEPDC</b></span></a>, an NGO that has quickly become my favorite place to work at!<br />
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</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">PR Video Project:</span></b> </div><div>Taylee, Courtney, and I have been working tirelessly on a video project designed to increase international awareness about 1-human trafficking as a global issue, and 2-DEPDC and what they are doing to work against trafficking in the GMS (Greater Mekong Subregion). So far this video has involved a lot of planning, interviewing, editing, filming, and photographing. I have had so much fun working on this, and am excited to see the finished video. <b>I will be posting the video sometime next week on both my blog and my facebook page, so make sure you check it out then! </b></div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdPCQdZknxCmRALZLRXlaLQKo3QbxSDD8k9b2sfvHvbn5fI-dN3u_9Zc9HL8z-QkhbxE97wjYhmLuBNJ5Y_exUNITlj2iiVT_O08O54elGlPEuEZzP3CbV57-_ExhyFoeJN1oSc7-lBM/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdPCQdZknxCmRALZLRXlaLQKo3QbxSDD8k9b2sfvHvbn5fI-dN3u_9Zc9HL8z-QkhbxE97wjYhmLuBNJ5Y_exUNITlj2iiVT_O08O54elGlPEuEZzP3CbV57-_ExhyFoeJN1oSc7-lBM/s640/IMG_1207.JPG" width="740" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Education Projects:</span></b></div><div><br />
</div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Kindergarden class-</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"></span></i>When we visited DEPDC, it was very apparent that they are short on funding, and as a result, were short on teachers as well. While meeting with staff, we were told they did not have anyone to teach their kindergarden or Level 1 classes, and were wondering if we would mind taking them over. We, of course, were happy to help, and told them we would love to! </div><div><br />
</div><div>The rest is history! DEPDC assigned HELP volunteers as the primary teachers for their two kindergarden classes. We have taken over all classes, and teach 3 days a week. The kids are so excited to learn and we are excited to teach them. Are kids ages range from 5-14, and for every child in our class, this is the first encounter they have had with formal education. Almost all are ethnic minorities, hill tribe children, or refugees from Burma. Many don't speak Thai, and almost all did not know anything in English.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The kids have come so far since we started teaching them a few weeks ago. Almost all can now say the English alphabet and numbers, can say colors and certain animals in English, and are currently learning the days of the week. What I think is one of their biggest accomplishments, is when we used to class rolls (which was missing many of the children) to help them write their names in English. They loved decorating their name tags and knowing what their names looked like. During this process, we also realize many could not write anything in Thai, and as such could not write their name in the native language of their home country as well. </div><div><br />
</div><div>This simple fact has become sadder as I have come to know the children, and to understand how much they want to learn. I am lucky and privileged to teach children who understand the value of education, and who know what it is to live without educational opportunities in their lives. </div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">One thing I want to stress about our kids is that most do not have Thai citizenship, and as such are excluded from their basic rights to a public education in Thailand. Some of these kids live in Burma, and cross the border every day to be able to go to school. We have such a diverse group of kids, and we love it! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpuai4QB3fN6HG4NrtX4RkmgfboShJ37X9faHIfiFUFmD9idRugMAKgR674XLwk7N7TCl4zsb11Hxzx-2Z-K0NEKAWDvD4TQj5CMEx7wre2ThdYJPjxTnylqbA-QMz8LgURYk9Rw0J0E/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpuai4QB3fN6HG4NrtX4RkmgfboShJ37X9faHIfiFUFmD9idRugMAKgR674XLwk7N7TCl4zsb11Hxzx-2Z-K0NEKAWDvD4TQj5CMEx7wre2ThdYJPjxTnylqbA-QMz8LgURYk9Rw0J0E/s640/IMG_0950.JPG" width="740" /></a></div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Creativity Class-</span></b></i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">Our group is in charge of a weekly creativity class with the kids where we allow them to express themselves through art, music, dance, writing, etc. I am particularly excited for a <b>photography project</b> we will be doing with the kids very soon. Our idea is that we teach the class the basics of photography, and let the class practice with our own personal digital cameras. When we think the children are ready, we will provide them each with a disposable camera so they can implement the skills and lessons that were learned in class. We will allow them to take these cameras home and take photos of their everyday lives. </div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">We hope that the images that come out of this project will open the international community's eyes to the issues surrounding stateless and impoverished children living on the Thai/Burma border.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">Unfortunately, disposable cameras are very hard to come across in Thailand, and we are looking at options of having the cameras shipped into Thailand from overseas. Until then, we are waiting patiently to begin the project, which I think has the potential to greatly impact the lives of the DEPDC children.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifGtqr6lo5OTAc5WpqFwObjQLFE50P-9hjb3CfM7icWPhH5oeCTKZ67hBC6pGpv5Z1tVZxK4bkJXkDvVeYT09JA1Kz5qoiKiyICE1h8Pjo4gefkngCWwIWMRux_9Der-UVGyzZEOaaqI/s1600/DEPDC+kids+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifGtqr6lo5OTAc5WpqFwObjQLFE50P-9hjb3CfM7icWPhH5oeCTKZ67hBC6pGpv5Z1tVZxK4bkJXkDvVeYT09JA1Kz5qoiKiyICE1h8Pjo4gefkngCWwIWMRux_9Der-UVGyzZEOaaqI/s640/DEPDC+kids+.jpg" width="740" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><i>Statelessness Project- </i></span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">I am also hoping to work on an issue involving the statelessness problem we have encountered here in Northern Thailand. Many of the people living here are without citizenship, which excludes them from their basic rights to healthcare, education, etc. Most of the stateless are born in Thailand, but because they lack birth certificates and official documents, they are considered "stateless" by the Thai government, and as such cannot travel, go to a hospital or public school, and are, more than any other group in Thailand, at risk of being trafficked and sold. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">As I have come to find out, almost all those in Thailand who have been trafficked are stateless, migrants, or refugees.<br />
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</div>Right now we are looking into potential projects with an NGO named Plan. More on that later!<br />
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZeZtuHc26Hb4rrfX7kNmOs1H3argABI_FxA_D4ds3l8t7h794HeVBHTt48j-n2e4Ioe-Mr9z421I-r5fswX-0vimH9qewhQr5X0rJJLQ3tMjphLS-Jjjqo14fLJtBt4IDgKnewCIpQ4/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZeZtuHc26Hb4rrfX7kNmOs1H3argABI_FxA_D4ds3l8t7h794HeVBHTt48j-n2e4Ioe-Mr9z421I-r5fswX-0vimH9qewhQr5X0rJJLQ3tMjphLS-Jjjqo14fLJtBt4IDgKnewCIpQ4/s640/IMG_1179.JPG" width="740" /></a></div><br />
</div></div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-68108967739278998862011-05-28T02:46:00.000-07:002011-05-28T02:46:02.907-07:00Prostitution is Alive and well in ThailandLast week I caught a glimpse of the underworld of illicit prostitution. Along a dimly lit street in Chiang Mai, on our way to a night market, the HELP group accidently had stumbled upon one of the hubs of prostitution in Thailand. The streets were lined with bars, karaoke clubs, and massage parlors. Girls were everywhere--they lined the streets outside the parlors, they sat on bar stools, they peeked out from dark rooms. Foreign men were around every corner, could be found in every "business," inside, outside, walking, sitting, prowling, drinking, talking. Most where old and white, traveling the streets alone. Some had already found a girl, and the ones still in the bars were busy eating and drinking with these girls, girls half their age, girls dressed in next to nothing, with enough makeup to shine through the grime and blackness of the night.<br />
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How do these men, lacking all tact, openly partake in such an evil thing?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwvl8HSiCJczwySfDP-Fv8kOkja4klNKccmXe1Hpdjx3Xzbl7-Ot49HT6uigzvuNCoxq3Tw54ZzMp5vqyIKvN02i87_VGuCW4s42P5M7yrPfbijGhCpOHtrALty1nJcacHD7uIOwaPzM/s1600/IMG_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwvl8HSiCJczwySfDP-Fv8kOkja4klNKccmXe1Hpdjx3Xzbl7-Ot49HT6uigzvuNCoxq3Tw54ZzMp5vqyIKvN02i87_VGuCW4s42P5M7yrPfbijGhCpOHtrALty1nJcacHD7uIOwaPzM/s640/IMG_0207.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I wonder how many of these prostitutes are being controlled by violent pimps, if any are underage, and how they got to where they are today. Choice is a complex idea, one which merits consideration when one is unlocking the mysteries of prostitution. And one which does not receive consideration by those men roaming the streets of Chiang Mai's red light district.<br />
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Do they consider the possibility that a prostitute does not choose to have sex with them, but is forced to do so, for varying reasons? Do they consider that she might have been taken from her home country and family, into a world that is dark, horrible, and terrifying, but worse, a world that offers little to no option of escape? What can you say to these people, who are our everyday neighbors, coworkers, and church members back home, and who have come to a foreign country to escape the rules and laws of their home countries? Do they know it is illegal? And more importantly, do they know that it is wrong?<br />
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In Thailand, as in the rest of the world, evil is alive and well. But here it is different. Here the hidden escape from the surface of things, exposing ordinary people to a world we would not have ordinarily seen back home. It is a reality that I find hard to grasp. It is an image that I cannot forget.<br />
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I believe in the overwhelming goodness of people, in all sappy ideas like hope, peace, and love thy neighbor. But I also believe many people have forgotten what it means to be good, and what it is to be evil. Whether someone trafficks a person, or buys a person for sex (after they have been trafficked), it is the same thing.<br />
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I hope that I will not lose my dreams here. But when I see such things, I wonder how any of us make it out alive.Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-61679971622458439712011-05-26T22:45:00.000-07:002011-05-26T22:45:33.753-07:00Engaged in a Good causeI have been in Chiang Rai 3 weeks now, and in that time, I have been involved in partnership creation (or re-establishment) with local Thai NGOs, ascertaining needs assessments with each NGO (where we basically ask the people what they need), and creating potential projects around each need. This involves a lot of traveling, talking, listening, and A LOT of meetings. I have enjoyed this part of the work, but was also happy to move onto stage 2, where we create, individually or in groups, potentials projects to develop in conjunction with our Thai NGO partner. This involves tons of brainstorming, writing, thinking, and research, which I love! From all our hard work, we then propose official projects, each of which must be approved by the entire Thailand team.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYFlUfGwmlSZgUbws7cQWK553eJvl6lbRlTMbHyukptT95mKAwvyDAk_qqQBDpujATijYdPikwk9O1aWGvTf6s5ansv4Se2aU-KRGE8IfqHuzrTWouhduYq6MYDjhBUuJnQWfwy3XIQY/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYFlUfGwmlSZgUbws7cQWK553eJvl6lbRlTMbHyukptT95mKAwvyDAk_qqQBDpujATijYdPikwk9O1aWGvTf6s5ansv4Se2aU-KRGE8IfqHuzrTWouhduYq6MYDjhBUuJnQWfwy3XIQY/s640/IMG_0114.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
All the projects I will be involved in are at DEPDC/GMS, or the Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities. DEPDC is located in Mae Sai, which is the one of Northern Thailand's border towns with Burma. I have learned so much about this organization since coming here, and the more I learn about it, the more I get excited for all the work they are doing to prevent and combat human trafficking and the exploitation of children.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP-B4kTDUZRYwi9_Wk4P9yyEeYym4Y8wYNdN92K1V0CCbZZBLhJK5WLcU_YZ9PH-tnxYZV1qSTlSldsrntrRE3OZlZPKX9-yuOkRNGhzRtFX42dRu9HHxHXyqSV4nteoj2ruZI_SJyhQ/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP-B4kTDUZRYwi9_Wk4P9yyEeYym4Y8wYNdN92K1V0CCbZZBLhJK5WLcU_YZ9PH-tnxYZV1qSTlSldsrntrRE3OZlZPKX9-yuOkRNGhzRtFX42dRu9HHxHXyqSV4nteoj2ruZI_SJyhQ/s640/IMG_0090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruC5J1Pu5OkFwJJFdzFs4RvMLLRUFRu3sxRJwlhZ0LAiHahRqPDi11h8sSIyP6vPohou8a88JVgYKDUXJ4S77-ESSUm723M_OtEHErfAeXrIowXoqtF4LMorNGqD612mrYI_NcmFdypo/s1600/routes_thailand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruC5J1Pu5OkFwJJFdzFs4RvMLLRUFRu3sxRJwlhZ0LAiHahRqPDi11h8sSIyP6vPohou8a88JVgYKDUXJ4S77-ESSUm723M_OtEHErfAeXrIowXoqtF4LMorNGqD612mrYI_NcmFdypo/s1600/routes_thailand.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Let me give you a little background. DEPDC has various centres, all of which are located in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The GMS used to be the largest exporter of heroin and methamphetamine in the world, and still is the 2nd largest exporter of opium (after Afghanistan). It is currently a hot spot for the trafficking of persons, both within the region, and into different areas of the world (exportation). This region is more commonly called the Golden Triangle.<br />
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DEPDC works mainly on the prevention side of human trafficking, rather on the more dramatic intervention and treatment side, although they currently operate a few isolated centres for rescued girls. Most of the children DEPDC works with are ethnic minorities, including stateless children from hill tribes, as well as migrants from neighboring nations (especially Burma).<br />
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DEPDC does this with a 4-pronged approach, which includes:<br />
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<ol><li>Education </li>
<ol><li>DEPDC operates schools and vocational training centers for children</li>
</ol><li>Protection Program </li>
<ol><li>This includes DEPDC shelters for children rescued from trafficking</li>
</ol><li>Community Development and Outreach </li>
<ol><li>DEPDC operates a Community Learner Center, where they teach evening classes. They also operate a radio station and a hotline for people involved in trafficking, etc to call in. Each time they do, DEPDC opens a new case and investigates the claims made, often preventing or rescuing a child because of 1 phone call!</li>
</ol><li>Youth Leadership Development </li>
<ol><li>DEPDC currently operates a program called the Mekong Youth Net, which trains youth to be leaders against trafficking and exploitation in their home communities. </li>
</ol></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKIPOglOOlOEGh_xpYiLfB64BDCEWrSS9znROn12co8VAqcngRp9cUR6_FEA38-GBg-tSOaLpyOBCP0GaRbI4tcBdKuYKORwIWEJGYThyphenhyphenao91U5v7B7ewyA11O37v6Irx24ljygtcI4w/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKIPOglOOlOEGh_xpYiLfB64BDCEWrSS9znROn12co8VAqcngRp9cUR6_FEA38-GBg-tSOaLpyOBCP0GaRbI4tcBdKuYKORwIWEJGYThyphenhyphenao91U5v7B7ewyA11O37v6Irx24ljygtcI4w/s640/IMG_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div>In operation since its inception in 1989, DEPDC has since helped 4,000 children, 96% of which have stayed out of prostitution. For more information on DEPDC, I love their <a href="http://depdcblog.wordpress.com/">blog</a>. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRtZl0mnSARdbkp-PuCqArteVRqlLyoIEFsatchmbO-J6wqkMHfrQbjGKGS3ldzuOHMcY1CI_RGAgnSuqp48jXnNqW6hJ5pIXP4pF30pl_vSWz39sHfMnjjAcAsaGRb7JtzUFkK4ywWc/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRtZl0mnSARdbkp-PuCqArteVRqlLyoIEFsatchmbO-J6wqkMHfrQbjGKGS3ldzuOHMcY1CI_RGAgnSuqp48jXnNqW6hJ5pIXP4pF30pl_vSWz39sHfMnjjAcAsaGRb7JtzUFkK4ywWc/s640/IMG_0092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> For more about the projects we are getting involved in at DEPDC, tune in next time!Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-89400134022279193852011-05-18T07:27:00.000-07:002011-05-18T20:25:40.980-07:00We just don't just have fun, I swear!I have been posting a lot about all the fun adventures I have been having here in Thailand. I feel a bit guilty I haven't had much of a "work" related post yet. We have been working A LOT, but for these first 2 weeks we have had a lot of down time because of the long holiday. As we all agreed in our team meeting yesterday, WORK HARD (x1000) and after PLAY HARD. It has been a bit turned around as of late thanks to our long holiday in Chiang Mai (thanks Buddha for being born!).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK0AjKW9yxfWmbizpAvxvyIVhnB5JeuHZTH7-bslfHpF2Mc10G1OrH6ieaSHwAdoqiwe209p9Tgvgk6QrqvAzhu-_ohR72nkMrNEbtPcI8OuMMrHt4dfWNAcUGbIzm8Hv9iuKxGYZJHM/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK0AjKW9yxfWmbizpAvxvyIVhnB5JeuHZTH7-bslfHpF2Mc10G1OrH6ieaSHwAdoqiwe209p9Tgvgk6QrqvAzhu-_ohR72nkMrNEbtPcI8OuMMrHt4dfWNAcUGbIzm8Hv9iuKxGYZJHM/s640/IMG_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We had so much fun in Chiang Mai that I couldn't resist posting about the trip, despite all the work items I could (and will) post about. We left for Chiang Mai on Saturday, after we had our last volunteer for the first wave arrive from Virginia. This brings our team total for these first six weeks to 13.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chiang Mai is a city about 3 hours south of our home city Chiang Rai. It is very tourist-centered, as most signs, etc can be found in English and Thai, and surprisingly, you are just as likely to see foreigners as Thais in certain parts of the city. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I loved Chiang Mai and its bigger city feel, although I am very happy we are separated from tourist Thailand here in Chiang Rai. While there we did so much, including:<br />
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<ul><li> learning <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">meditation</span> from a Buddhist monk </li>
<li>Going to the walking market and the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">night markets</span> to see the local products, including pirated DVDs and CDs, fake designer bags, tourist junk, makeup, clothes...</li>
<li>Going to the tailors and helping Hudson and Todd pick out shirts and suit colors and materials. So fun!</li>
<li>Eating a lot of Roti. If you don't know what Roti is, I feel so sorry for you because it is SOOOO good (see picture above). </li>
<li>Visiting various Wats (Buddhist temples)</li>
<li>Eatings loads of good, good food, including hamburgers and fries and burritos. :)</li>
<li>Walking through the red-light district and seeing 100+ girls hanging out on the street (more on that to follow)</li>
<li>And the highlight: visiting <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Tiger Kingdom</span>, getting to play with baby tigers and chill with adult tigers. A once in a lifetime experience. And yes the below pictures are real. In case you are wondering, the tigers are not drugged, just trained as well as you can train/tame a tiger. </li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78Nz6HvSovvDWFu-UAeHBF1ZoBM4quWd4WHezl1RFbQO6okBtAqRVWitZFywKndzFjIwaXh1FHzQYKaeczmGRko5XYxx-9W7dOpyfhA0Lg0EkkgfGScjZSxWLiuXaK6cCPEUfzv1_8_s/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78Nz6HvSovvDWFu-UAeHBF1ZoBM4quWd4WHezl1RFbQO6okBtAqRVWitZFywKndzFjIwaXh1FHzQYKaeczmGRko5XYxx-9W7dOpyfhA0Lg0EkkgfGScjZSxWLiuXaK6cCPEUfzv1_8_s/s640/IMG_0292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-62169563383424405212011-05-17T03:46:00.000-07:002011-05-18T20:26:33.504-07:00Chiang Mai Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM-DY7ESeGK1Eusaz7uQ6D4owPCeVKWIBOGjVhhgryAEFdzY1u_jm_xFJIrlEaQO_ZHp8tNNRcEccjTb79DoPbEO8Fy34WmZP_8P6caKOLAUDCib1AB6OxYFAlXOKa2wtI3SdNdUfdow/s1600/tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM-DY7ESeGK1Eusaz7uQ6D4owPCeVKWIBOGjVhhgryAEFdzY1u_jm_xFJIrlEaQO_ZHp8tNNRcEccjTb79DoPbEO8Fy34WmZP_8P6caKOLAUDCib1AB6OxYFAlXOKa2wtI3SdNdUfdow/s1600/tiger.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I don't have a lot of time, but I thought I'd post this picture from our 4 day trip to Chiang Mai this weekend. Yes those are real baby tigers and yes I got to play with them. More to come!Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-45235557092281282122011-05-13T20:56:00.000-07:002011-05-13T21:03:07.013-07:00First WeekWeek one has come and gone. I can barely believe it, both because I feel like I have been here forever, and because we have done so much. Our schedule went a bit like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagJtzCwp4nTLD50SXtaPh8EvSNjnf2RbC4sbc70oejOkyRXzIMc8B7oYSpYfz2_6REKVbzANb1hw-9STQxbElsegEl55iOAZiqpOgRnNpurNYWf_TM_b0hYWEnV-6nW2wzFUKDDWG-gE/s1600/clock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagJtzCwp4nTLD50SXtaPh8EvSNjnf2RbC4sbc70oejOkyRXzIMc8B7oYSpYfz2_6REKVbzANb1hw-9STQxbElsegEl55iOAZiqpOgRnNpurNYWf_TM_b0hYWEnV-6nW2wzFUKDDWG-gE/s320/clock.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clock Tower in Chiang Rai</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Saturday-Went ot the store to buy essentials (like pillows), rode elephants, got traditional Thai massages, and ate a lot of GOOD Thai food. Highlight-the elephant ride of course!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>Sunday-Went to the local Chaing Rai Mormon branch. Planning meeting afterwards about the English camp we were participating in. Highlight-feeling so welcomed at church with all the hugs, smiles, and handshakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM3Foe_vCn5LpBLM9uxmG0wqWrMjSB0fP7WpCdWou3mFhRCwqrMNmbIc21EKxdRG0omAQ9XszOzusAwp9w5EAfSItf3EZfE16vnkF6bkbQzIhIFwEMkucSmwKdzQ3q4EaGyhjO1RsXc0/s1600/group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM3Foe_vCn5LpBLM9uxmG0wqWrMjSB0fP7WpCdWou3mFhRCwqrMNmbIc21EKxdRG0omAQ9XszOzusAwp9w5EAfSItf3EZfE16vnkF6bkbQzIhIFwEMkucSmwKdzQ3q4EaGyhjO1RsXc0/s320/group.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group in a Song Taew</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Monday-Went to the Chaing Rai hospital and had meetings, etc about potential projects there. Highlight-we got to visit the forensics unit where they keep dead bodies. I saw a Japanese mafia guy you had got shot in the head. Fun.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Tuesday-Went to Mae Sai on the Northern border to DEPDC (where I want to work) and spent the day learning about the organization and meeting some of the people who work there. Highlight-Learning about about thinking of potential projects that can be accomplished at DEPDC. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOnrwIKgSZ1hBqs7bjsQ2J5h4JgS7NdXTr_rLOiu5meOmrbchXTxaaT_D0-QjXX78v-F6kcisHLYaqn6PekMwLyBA2XszjGLN_wRpnFnvx3GP4KCnPwr75dQFX2Sogaz_wNRnmuARAig/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOnrwIKgSZ1hBqs7bjsQ2J5h4JgS7NdXTr_rLOiu5meOmrbchXTxaaT_D0-QjXX78v-F6kcisHLYaqn6PekMwLyBA2XszjGLN_wRpnFnvx3GP4KCnPwr75dQFX2Sogaz_wNRnmuARAig/s320/DSC01945.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in front of our house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Wednesday and Thursday- We were busy all day volunteering at an English camp. The English camp was a a local elementary school and was meant to get all the kids interested in learning English. We were supposed to show the fun side to English, and were all assigned stations we were in charge of. Jamie and I were in charge of Phonetics, and so spent the day teaching sounds, practicing pronauciation, and playing games. We were all so sweaty and tired by the end of it all, and I realized how truly hard (but rewarding) it is to be a teacher. Highlight-getting hugs and high fives from the kids, going to Kareoke with the school administators (crazy times...), and getting pizza and Pepsi Thursday night to celebrate our victory! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCUK68dhOawtprAWL15E21T4luS0Ctwo-QIkfjmTwEp6fQxQOskP5Oj_-ajTpgFBt34LN8UWWjEfxzFGzvlK9SBAftAcgaqPHHoz3SOD-cCLF89zi8C9dA835knkAOzsjpustWbQk7_I/s1600/room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCUK68dhOawtprAWL15E21T4luS0Ctwo-QIkfjmTwEp6fQxQOskP5Oj_-ajTpgFBt34LN8UWWjEfxzFGzvlK9SBAftAcgaqPHHoz3SOD-cCLF89zi8C9dA835knkAOzsjpustWbQk7_I/s320/room.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My roommates, Jamie and Courtney</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Friday and today- We have 5 days off (I know you are all jealous) for Buddha's birthday on Tuesday. Yesterday we went to a waterfall which was SO COOL and swam in the water. We even got to go under the waterfall. Very intense. We also got to go to a kind of international store/center (much like I have seen in Singapore) and I bought loads of bread (I miss bread!) and European and Japanese chocolate. They had a McDonalds there but I resisted. I did buy a donut though. Yum. </div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today we are leaving for Chaing Mai, which is about 2 1/2 hours south of us. We will be there for the reminder of the holiday. Things to look forward to: meditating with monks, and ziplining through the jungle.</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
On a more negative note, about 75% of my pictures are turning out blurry. I think my camera has had it! Luckily, everyone else is taking loads of pictures, and I will have to steal from them for now.</div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-68642678307555861392011-05-08T02:20:00.000-07:002011-05-08T02:24:08.755-07:00Welcome to Thailand!After 2 long days of travel, I have arrived safetly, albeit tiredly, in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Things have been crazy and exciting ever since arriving here. I landed in Bangkok on Friday morning, and spent the afternoon exploring the city with a few of the other volunteers that were at the airport at the same time. I say explore, although what we really did is watch and "explore" the city from a 4th story Starbucks, since we were too tired to actually walk around the city. <br />
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From there we took a commuter flight north, arriving in Chiang Rai late that night. And now for a bit about our house. Our house is really more like 4 separate, 1 room apartments, each with its own bathroom and bedroom space. To my surprise, our bedroom did not contain the bunkbeds I had been told we would be sleeping in, but instead has 2 mats, which can only be described as hard, ugly, and old. I live with 2 other girls, and the space is more than adequete to fit us in. The bathroom is a shower/toliet combo room, with a tiled floor that remians perpetually wet. <br />
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I feel we have been here for 2 weeks, rather than the paltry 2 full days we have been in Chiang Rai. Yesterday, our first real day, we spent all day out, seeing the sites, eating good food, and yes, riding elephants. Today we spent mostly going to church, in a small branch where us 12 volunteers filled the 3 rows of chairs, and almost doubled the branch size. I wish I had time to say more. Thailand is just as amazing as all the times I have previously been, but in a completely new way. I am experiencing the real Thailand, separated from foreigners, tourists, resorts, and air-conditioned retaurants. The real Thailand is hot and sweaty, and it is rare to find the passerby who understands English. But I love it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL5CniZfXahlUL4djjKq9gBrtIXEOiBOazr5-Qw4w1sjZrP_zNPnMSS6BkWy_DUOY4Nry2ImjviYKofulMqLviJxnIoeY8QmZakyPOI7fHLGs_RRIzv0J5uEjNu3npvuRnl6eLriRmh4/s1600/me.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL5CniZfXahlUL4djjKq9gBrtIXEOiBOazr5-Qw4w1sjZrP_zNPnMSS6BkWy_DUOY4Nry2ImjviYKofulMqLviJxnIoeY8QmZakyPOI7fHLGs_RRIzv0J5uEjNu3npvuRnl6eLriRmh4/s1600/me.bmp" /></a></div>Until next time, KrystalKrystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-4597154805713238132011-05-04T08:47:00.000-07:002011-05-04T08:47:33.356-07:00FarewellIt is with mixed feelings that I prepare to leave for Thailand today, traveling, as I am, not as a tourist but as a humanitarian worker. I feel overwhelmed and inadequate, excited and anxious. I don't know what to expect, so I have trained myself to not have expectations of how it will be, or how much I can (or cannot) accomplish. Most people seek to make a difference, and I admit, I too fall into this group. Which is why I am trying not to daydream about the possibilities, about me, an individual, being able to make "substantive change" for the multitude. It is a dream I came to HELP International with, and one I still believe in. But I also believe that everything I will do will be hard, dirty, and will, I am sure, be full of setbacks, conflict and difficulty.<br />
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I know I and we (my team and I) can do it, and that we can succeed. Please pray for me. Please think of me, once in awhile. And please do not forget the seriousness of the cause. Do not forget the dream of a world without poverty. Do not forget the dream of ridding the world of human trafficking. I cannot do it. But we can.<br />
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Signing off until Thailand, KrystalKrystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-71368624756092304132011-05-02T10:21:00.000-07:002011-05-02T10:22:19.176-07:002 GirlsSorry for another video. But this one is powerful enough to post. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="649" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dtCDO29waIk" width="860"></iframe>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-54652580235609156462011-04-29T09:07:00.000-07:002011-04-29T10:37:54.959-07:00HELP International Weekend Conference Traininig Seminar 2011<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="645" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A7Tr9HuCHVg?fs=1" width="830"></iframe>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-61587910771533307362011-04-28T11:30:00.000-07:002011-04-29T10:39:56.052-07:00Where I Am Going<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uSaaU7rXaaDgC3b8tRb5XNMNiuvxOE_eI2H2oEXJv0c?feat=embedwebsite" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSnvcV2b7ZezaLzjdgAr1bRgLbPlfpGxog7QWlNapkUW2eekAtB3r2-psnwJ4XWjgWn84SLayX4h8W97yCLwW-jgH7uR1snzq83FMy5Bho8XJdme1z3WHfl0EZ4YWVwplv0HVK4VNMVk/s640/Chaing%20Rai%20Intro.jpeg" width="802" /></a></div></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.insighttools.net/faith/Thailand2003/thailand_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="940" src="http://www.insighttools.net/faith/Thailand2003/thailand_map.jpg" width="768" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><o:p></o:p></div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-25783384653657829072011-04-11T20:25:00.003-07:002011-04-11T20:28:19.673-07:00Did You Know?<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Each year <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">800,000</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">human beings</span> are bought<br />
sold, or forced across the world's borders.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">80%</span> of this number are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">women</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">50%</span> are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">children</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Human trafficking is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">32 billion</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">dollar industry</span>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The average <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">cost </span>of buying a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">slave</span> today is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">$90</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The cost of a slave during the height of the trans-atlantic slave trade--<br />
$40,000 in modern dollars.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">But these are just numbers, and numbers, after all, are imperfect indicators of the true human cost. How do you measure suffering? I don't have an answer to that. Maybe we can't measure these things, or understand slavery. After all, what does slavery mean to me, when I have never experienced it? Not much, really. But enough to care, at least enough, to want to do <i>something</i>.</div></div><br />
And enough to keep the following in mind: <i>"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing." </i>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1767449190613228700.post-89493411174853632512011-04-05T21:47:00.006-07:002011-04-05T22:03:28.621-07:00Poem<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Poverty defined</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Three girls encased in cement. <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Living in the walls behind <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The oblong mirror in the hallway <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>White wall dust the only clue of the Secret </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Door that opens at each quarter </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Bing, on the hour Bong. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The girls take turns—first <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The Vietnamese beauty. Her black<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Hair falls piece by piece out <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Of the hole in the wall, her dress <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Torn under the arms and at the neck. <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>She thrusts one hand out, it shakes in <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The light, pale as bleached flour. <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The pimp pulls, she rolls and<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Tumbles in the white dust. White on<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Black, white on white. She welcomes<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The pull, welcomes her sold flesh<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Rubbing against the pedophiles<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>And the nymphomaniacs with rotting <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Breath and no teeth. Sex better than<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The hole. Her muscles burn, good they<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Still work. Her blurry eyes tell her <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>She hasn’t gone blind yet. Fifteen <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Minutes of light—her only gift. Raped<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>10 or 20 times a day and even This begins<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>To seem normal. </i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wrote this poem a few years ago, when I first heard of sex trafficking. I was so horrified, I could not get the idea of it all out of my mind. Ironically, this was written on the back of a piece of paper at church. I dedicate it, in all its imperfections, to the <b>27 million*</b> victims of human trafficking forced to live as slaves in the world today. Hopefully, is some small way, it will give a voice to the voiceless.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
*This is an estimate. As you will find if you do any research on trafficking, getting accurate numbers is difficult. This is, after all, an invisible crime. Experts put the range from 24-32 million slaves. 27 million is the number cited by sociologist Kevin Bales in his book “Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy.”</div>Krystal Downshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01915774880732208021noreply@blogger.com3