Homework - The Stratton ABC Foundation Childrens Home Chiang Mai

February 2012
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Re-Cycle Meets The Villa With A Bright Idea

Directors Highlight of the Week 1 Response »

Nov 212011

Well the Villa didn’t get finished today afterall.

Team leader, Tai, spent much of Sunday afternoon digging a deep hole for his homework, investigating soil layers. Knowing this to be very tiring work I postponed the project work until next week.

Still Tai is Tai and once finished with his homework he did do a little more on the Villa on his own, adding some strengthening batons.

Just when I thought he’d finished, Tai then proceeded to come up with a great decorative idea after dinner, and takes “the Directors Highlight’ position for the day.

Not wanting to spoil the surprise I didn’t bother to ask why he was outside cutting old plastic milk bottles.

The answer came when he asked for candles and a lighter. The effects of his simple idea were quite beautiful.

At Tais request we called the whole crew for a photo call to celebrate this great touch to the Project.

Well done Tai , you continue to impress .

Bye Bye Melissa

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Jun 142011

So our latest volunteer, Melissa, finished her week here at Stratton House Childrens Home, in Chiang Mai, yesterday and is now off to holiday on Koh Tao down south.
Melissa was a very welcome addition to the household for the week and especially popular with the girls.

She spent a lot of time chatting, playing games and helping with homework, which was all very much appreciated.

Sunday afternoon Melissa got to enjoy the ambience of Huay Tung Tao where the children enjoyed more cooling off time at the lake.
And it won’t be just our kids that miss her, but also the children at Mae Salaab School, where she made many visits during her time here.

She spent Sunday evening at the Sunday Market in Chiang Mai , shown around by Somboon.

After another morning at Mae Salaab School and a short time playing with the kids here at Stratton House it was time for Melissa to go and catch her bus so we all jumped on the bus to take her to the bus station in Chiang Mai and say farewell.

We all hope she has a great time down south, stay safe, have fun and keep in touch:)

Thanks again Melissa.

Tanya on The Stratton ABC Foundation

Lead, Volunteer Testimonials No Responses »

Jun 092011

This was the first time volunteering with kids in Thailand, so I didn´t really know what to expect. What I found in Mae Salaab, was an absolutely amazing bunch of kids and it has been a lot of fun to “work” with them for a while.

As I found out pretty quick, there was no schedule for volunteers you had to follow, just be out and about with the kids all day.

I brought some games over with me, a jigsaw, a memory and some bubbles, which the kids liked a lot.

So we played a lot of card games, ping pong and badminton.

When the kids are at home, they have to do one hour of community work in the morning, so when I was there, we did a bit of gardening, which was fun!!

It was sometimes a little hard to communicate, as some of the smaller kids are only at the beginning of learning English, but they make the effort, which is brilliant to see.

What I also liked a lot, where the meals together.I was absolutely amazed, to find out, that the kids, set the tables, wash the dishes afterwards and that, all without moaning or anything.

They´re just one big family and every single one appreciates being there and helping out a little. That´s how it felt for me.
When they´re going to school, there is one hour in the evening when they have to sit down and do their homework or study.

And they just do it!! For me this is fantastic to see, as I have a little sister, I saw her growing up and I know, how kids can be when it comes to studying

Anyways I felt very welcome in the Stratton ABC Foundation, I would always do it again (hopefully I´ll find time soon) and I can recommend it to everybody, as it is a fantastic experience.

With John, these kids found somebody, who would probably give his last shirt, to keep up the Stratton Family. It was great to see, that there is people like that out there!!

Same, same for Boon and the lovely house mothers

Well thanks to everybody for a GREAT time and I hope to see you all very soon.

{ From all at Stratton House…..thank you you very much for the time you spent here and we really hope we will see you again}

Dance Homework

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Feb 212011

Not only are the children getting Dance lessons from the Art Relief International volunteers but now May 2 has had her school friends round practising Dance for school.

They have also requested that their friends join them for the Art Relief International lessons.

Next time I will try and make sure I have the video camera on hand.

Big Thanks to The Grays

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Jan 012011

Everyone here at Stratton House would like to say a big thankyou to the Gray Family and hope their onward travels go well and that they all enjoy a very happy New Year.
During their week long stay at Stratton House they helped out so much, not just with donations for the lawn, garden tools, a weeks worth of food shopping and more; but also lots of great ideas to help with our garden projects; spending time with the kids helping out with, homework etc. Bruce and Jemsai spent alot of time with Jack which was a great help, he does so much better with the 1-1 attention.
Special thanks to Mary for all her garden hints, some of which we have put into operation straight away.
It was a moving farewell at Chiang Mai Airport as Mary caught her flight to Phuket and Bruce and Jemsai went off on their onward travels to.
Thankyou you once again for all your support and we look forward to staying in touch.

Chess, Making Dens and More Homework

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Jun 282010

Another week goes by and life goes on with the children making use of their free time, playing chess and making dens in the garden.

We have a good group here who play well together most of the time.

Chess is still very popular and we might have to think about more boards and maybe even an in house chess competition.

The younger ones tend to play in the garden, making temporary dens.

This is one of the reasons for the “lawn” in our wishlist.

We don’t like to discourage such imaginative play but we need to cut down on the cuts and bruises that occur with the present rough surface in the garden.

These days Tai is mostly to be found working at the computer, with quite an extrodinary amount of homework to be done.

This week the Lamyai have benefitted from the heavy rains and grown significantly, so that the children get to benefit to by eating these delicious fruit everyday.

For more photos from the week please visit our photobucket album here.

More Bai Tio and Back to School

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Jun 172010

It seems like we’ve got stuck in our ways with Huay Tung Taow having been the weekly Bai Tio destination for several weeks now.

Must be because its perfect for our requirements.

Lots of space to run around and play;

plenty of food and drink available if you need it;

the beautiful lake for swimming;

and general all round ambience, with the views of the mountains behind, means I get a chance to chill out to.

On the 10th of May Tai was the first to go back to school, starting Mattayom 1 at his new school in Sarapee.

Tai proved himself to be a good student when he first arrived and finished Prathom 6 at Pasak School.

He did very well in the entrance test for his new school , getting an overall mark of level 4 out of 5.

Already it is clear that this level in Mattayom 1 has much work and Tai often spends 2 to 3 hours every evening doing homework.

Keep it up Tai, you’ll go far.

A week later Mae Salab school opened and the rest of the children who had attended Pasak School last year, started at their new school;

which is much more convenient, being just 3 minutes walk away from home.

New girl Jor also joins the crew at Mae Salab.

Gu, our oldest child, at 14, took a little longer to start the new school year as there was some delay getting all the necessary paperwork from his old school in Nan.

But he eventually started at the same school as Tai two weeks later. Gu has started Mattayom 2.

He has started at the lower level but we hope that with extra support here at Stratton House we will see an improvement in his school grades over time.

He certainly appears to be putting some effort in already which was apparently a problem back at home in Nan.

The start of the new school has been quite a drain on the Foundations funds, what with Thai schools having several different uniforms for the children to wear.

Also term fees for the Mattayom level boys as well as money for lunch everyday which is not free in the Mattayom school.

All the children seem to have settled well in their new schools and all are very good at getting their homework done every evening; the ‘no TV until homework is finished’ rule helps alot.

Check out our photobucket album here for more photos , including general activities in the house; playtime; homework; cooking and more.

Education a Must.

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Nov 132009

eveningrelax We have done our best to make Stratton House feel as much like a modern family home as possible and, with out a doubt, one of the most popular household items is the T.V.

However, we have no wish to see a ‘couch potato’ culture develop and do our utmost to control the childrens allowed viewing times.

homework2000 During school days no TV is allowed in the morning. On returning home, the strict rule is that the TV does not ge turned on until all homework is finished.

If some children are slower than others then for the ones who have finished there are chores to help out with or physical leisure activities to partake in whilst waiting.

Jack is very keen to help out with the expanding vegetable growing and runs round with the watering can most evenings whilst waiting for Yong and Mae to finish their homework.

jackenglish If homework is done, and behaviour good, an hour or twos cartoons or childrens movies are allowed.

On the weekend we aim to occupy the children with sports or art and craft as well as extra curricula English lessons, again limiting the T.V use to an acceptable level.

All the children are given plenty of positive attention, and assistance where nesseccary, whilst doing their homework and and are proud to show their finished work.