English Camp

We ended an amazing week of working in the schools of Hadsamram with an incredible event -- English Camp! We had nearly 100 students from the high school and some of the primary schools for whole day on Saturday at a beautiful Botantical Gardens facility in the city of Trang. Our UTSA students designed all of the activities for the day in cooperation with the English teachers at Hadsamran High School, and spent hours preparing materials for fun English-language games like Twister, Jeopardy, Charades, Pictionary, and a blind-fold obstacal course. Students were also called upon at the last minute to do group games with the entire group of students, a challenge they met with great success.

What made the camp extra special is the fact that so many were able to attend thanks to the generosity of our UTSA students and faculty. We learned many of the students could not afford the 120 Baht fee (less than $4). Our students opened their wallets and hearts and donated genorously to make it possible for the large number of students to attend. The Hadsamran teachers donated their time and effort as well to make the camp possible. It was well worth it. The kids had a blast! Our UTSA students were tired by the end of the day, but it ended on a very special note--a musical note. Two of the young students made speeches thanking us for teaching them, and then they sang us a song "Goodbye my friends," while they sang, all the students and the teachers lined up and one-by-one gave us handshakes and hugs. A lot of tears flowed. We're still amazed at how our short time in the schools and working with these students have meant so much to them. It was a great way to end the week, and our students really understood why we are here in Thailand.