Thailand Day 18: Omkoi (Banyang Kaew School - last day)

Last full day in Omkoi!

We started the day off by visiting a satellite school associated with the Banyang Kaew School--this school is located in an even more remote location than the main school. The May Term Thailand program completed some service projects at this school in 2019 (the last time this program ran pre-COVID), so it was cool return to this school and see how the infrastructure projects were faring. Students were also able to pop into some of the classrooms to converse and practice English with the kiddos.

Students touring the satellite campus

After touring the school, we loaded up the trucks, along with some of the older students from the satellite school, to return to the main Banyang Kaew campus. The primary focus of today was spending time with the students and teachers. Our first activity was planting trees around the campus. Westminster students were paired with Thai students to plant a pair of trees. Our hope is that we can get updates from the school with some photos of how the trees and students are growing!

Students planting trees

The nursing students and I were then asked to provide the Thai teachers with a basic first aid demonstration, so we helped them learn how to pack a basic first aid kit and treat minor wounds. While we were completing our first aid demonstration, other students were helping to plow and plant a rice field. 

Nursing students partnering with the Thai faculty to pack first aid kits

Plowing a rice field

After breaking for lunch, we gathered together (all Thai students and all Westminster students) for a field day of sorts. The Banyang Kaew School organized a fantastic lineup of challenges:

• Pid Ta Tee Moh - this is a traditional Thai game. "Pid Ta" refers to a blindfold. Tee - a baton. Moh - a pot (I think? It was hard to find any information on this game or a spelling of the game's name). Students are blindfolded and handed a baton (in this case, it was a piece of bamboo) and they have to run across a field and be the first to hit a pot with their baton (we used metal boxes). 
• Potato sack race
• 5-legged race
• [name unknown] game in which a baton is tied between the legs of the competitor and they have to hit a ball down the field without touching it with their hands

The field day culminated in a soccer match between the Westminster students and Thai students. 

After games were complete, each grade (age group) of Thai students performed a dance for the Westminster students, after which the Westminster students performed a dance to Shakira's Waka Waka. I took a bunch of videos but I don't think they load very well on the blog, so I'll try and post them on social media.

Students lining up for the 5-legged race

Aftermath of the 5-legged race

Thai students performing a dance routine for Westminster students

Getting to watch our students form relationships with the Thai students was such a special experience. I think it was the most joy I've seen from our students on the trip thus far. Lots of smiles and laughter and dancing. The Principal, Paul, concluded the day with a Thank You Ceremony and Celebration in the new Language Center. 

Westminster Students and Thai staff celebrating the end of a wonderful week in front of the new Language Center

Tomorrow, we return to Chiang Mai. I believe the plan is to visit a middle school in Omkoi and complete a hike in Op Luang National Park before we arrive in Chiang Mai. Cheers!