At present I am the sole teacher and it is all very informal.

Hopefully in the future we will get volunteers who may like to give me a break.

I have been very impressed by the childrens enthusiasm and rapid learning. Keep it up kid, if you all speak english my life will get alot easier;)

Anna lives in a village nearby to Huay Sai and has been helping Khruu Khem with her Saturday ‘Say Hello’ club for some time now.

We met inside the Hot Springs compound at just after 1pm, and Anna and Khruu met and chatted with all the kids, before they all dissapeared, desperate to play in the water and in the playground.

This week we told the children they could play in the smaller pool, close to the geysers as it is just 10 baht per child, next to 50 baht at the big pool. The children were quite happy and had a fine old time.

The adults spent time relaxing by the stream where you can douse your feet. It has to be said that the water was a little too hot for comfort on this occassion. Still the ambience of the beautifully landscaped gardens still lent a relaxing time.

By 3.30 everyone was happy to go home having had plenty of fun for the day.

For more photos please visit our photobucket album here.

For more videos please visit our youtube here

Kaow Pan Saa celebrates the beginning of the new rice growing season.

It was a colourful affair with children and adults from the many schools all dressed up in their different traditional costumes. All meeting at the local Wat, the procession got under way at around 2.30.

There were many colourfully adorned pick up trucks and marching bands as well, adding to a great atmosphere.

Thankfully the rains, that had been on and off all day, held off during the procession.

All the children seemed to enjoy the affair very much.

My ex-pupils from Pasak school were in attendance and it was very nice to see them all again. I do miss you lot!

Sadly I could not stay for the whole celebration as, with House Mother on her day off, I needed to get home ready for our children to get back from school.

I sure it all went well and hope everyone enjoyed it.

For all the photos please visit our photobucket album here.

For all the video clips visit our youtube here.

Coming out of the house late afternoon on Monday I was greeted by the wonderful sight of little 5 year old May after she had been given an impromptu makeover by her older namesake May, her sister Yong, and other playmate Som.

It was all done with greenery from the garden but she looked like should be enteringa pageant.

Later I found Jack and Gu recycling some plastic bags to make kites.

For more photos please visit these links;

photos by John.

photos by the children.

Nevertheless everyone enjoyed their day, riding their bikes, playing ball games, sleeping and listening to music.

Sunday afternoon saw more Lamyai harvesting.

This time we got less money as the fruits were smaller and those left now we will just eat at home.

Once again Gu got the job of climbing the tree to get the higher fruits. Being a a worry wort I am always very nervous of the children climbing the trees but Gu was very careful and did a great job.

We are back to daily English lessons for all now and on Sunday the five eldest children all took a turn at being ‘teacher’.
For more photos please visit our photobucket album here.
For more video clips please visit our You Tube here.

Tai and Gu were both home 3 days this week, their school being closed due to testing.

That worked out quite well because they helped out on the two days I went out scouting for locations for our collection boxes.we would like to give big thanks to Tic Travel, Ratchadamnoen Rd and to Makro Chiang Mai(super highway), for accepting our boxes.

Local shops that have also accepted are our local pharmacy in Sarapee and the nearby Thai cafe located next to the railway line.

As usual the childrens spare time has been taken up by riding their bikes, games in the garden, doing homework and watching a little TV.

Right now the Lamyai buyers are in the village and on a couple of days Wasana has had the children helping to harvest our Lamyai. Not much to be made for us but it all helps with the childrens pocket money for school.

We have had a couple of very good English language sessions this week with the children learning Months and Days. Using his more advanced comprehension I got Tai to take a turn at being the teacher. This was partly to give him more confidence in actually speaking and also to show him that teaching is not easy for the teacher.

I have to say he did very well and now says he understands the difficulties teachers have when children don’t listen.

For lots more videos of life at Stratton House please visit our viddler account here.

I had made the mistake of mentioning the pony trap rides available there, and the kids were very keen on the idea.

Once you turn into the side road off the old Chiang Mai- Lamphun Rd, that leads to Wiang Kum Kan, you enter a bit of a labyrinth of narrow roadways and it is easy to get lost and drive round in circles , as I did for a whilw. Eventually we found one of the sites where the pony traps are stationed. Unfortunately they wanted 200 baht a ride. With the pony traps being made for 2 passengers, (4 at a squeeze), and us with 9 kids and 2 adults, it was way above our Sunday budget.

The kids were very understanding and suggested we divert to the usual, Huay Tung Tao.

Although our time there was shorter than usual all the children squeezed as much fun out our time as possible.

Another great day, on which Wasana came along for a change.

This week I gave an old digital snap camera to the kids to take their own photos, which can be seen in their own photobucket album here.

My own efforts from this week can be seen here.

This weekend the bicycles have been in use quite a lot.

Drawing was also very popular this week with the girls handing me lots of new pictures to hang on the wall.

In the evenings its been chilling out with the TV , with karaoke and dancing.

As usual Tai has been mostly to be found doing homework.

Today there was some extra work to be done. With the rainy season the garden has quickly become overgrown. We intend to get someone in to clear it properly but it is always good for the children to do some. There were no complaints and both boys and girls pitched in, with help from Wasanaas sons, Dun and Bon and her husband, Tiam.

Once the sun got too hot it was inside to tidy the house.

Even little May did her bit.

The routine is set now and it only needs small prompts to get them going. they have learnt quickly that if the chores are done quickly and without fuss then they get more playtime and I dont get grumpy.

Now the children are enjoying their weekend free time, reading, drawing and playing together.

Apart from Tai, who, as always has much homework to complete.

His diligence with his study continues to amaze me and we will have to think of a way to make sure his efforts are properly acknowledged so as to ensure that his efforts continue.

For more photos from the childrens lives at Stratton House Childrens Home in chiang Mai, please visit our photobucket album here.