Experience as a Teacher in Issan (Northeast Thailand) versus Volunteering in Chiang Mai

I am fortunate enough to be a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to Thailand that began about 5 months ago.  Since that time I have taught English in the Northeastern region of Thailand, known as Isaan.  Isaan is a largely ignored area even though it is home to a third of Thailand’s population.  It is exceptionally hot and is the poorest region of the country, largely due to the lack of tourism.  Less than 1% of tourists visit this region, so foreigners are few and far between. I am the only white woman in my town and as such I get many stares from people who have never seen a Caucasian woman before.  It is this lack of global attention combined with other factors such as poverty that lead to Isaan people getting passed over. The people of Isaan are often written off as poor, uneducated and unimportant.  The rest of the world tends to ignore this region and its people.

On the other hand, people the world over recognize Chiang Mai.  It is a place brimming with tourism, where the pace of life is faster, where one can hear several languages being spoken at any given time and where a variety of global cuisines line the streets.  When I first came Chiang Mai, it seemed that such a diverse city must a place for everyone to thrive in.  Yet there are still those who are written off, those who are brushed aside.  These are the groups that ARI shines a light on:  children who are seen as defective, women who are viewed as tainted and men who are regarded as useless. 

What I love about working with ARI is that they have the same goal for the overlooked people in Chiang Mai as I have for my overlooked students in Isaan: letting them know their worth and learning from them.  Showing them that their opinions are valid by listening to what they have to say.  Providing opportunities for them to express their ideas.  Letting them know that there are people who care about them by being a smiling face in their day.  And showing them that they are valuable by being open to learning from them.  My experience here at ARI has inspired me with ways that I can further teach and learn from my students back in Isaan and I am so grateful for that.

- Written by 6-week Art Relief International volunteer, Sarah C.

Thank you to our many Indiegogo campaign contributors!

Hello!

On behalf of Cultural Canvas Thailand I would like to thank the following people for their generous contributions to our recent Indiegogo campaign:

Kirsty Gray, Alezandra Russell, Alison Rodgers, Deirdre McAdams, Keith Lovett, Brian Pitz, Caroline Silber, Camila Picchio, Anne Katrine Harris, Madison Brill, and Maria Lovett.

This campaign was highly successful and we were able to raise $1520.00 for the Stretching Canvas Initiative that aims to expand our current programing model to Phuket, Thailand in 2014. Thus far we have initiated dialogue with four potential partners in Phuket including two child-care facilities, a marine conservation organization, and a Buddhist monastery. Please follow this link for more information on our Phuket programs.

At the present moment, CCT is also planning an exploratory visit to Phuket during which CCT staff will meet with more potential partners and pilot 2-3 Art Relief International workshops. We are so excited about Cultural Canvas Thailand, Phuket and the possibility of providing even more under recognized and underserved individuals with much-needed volunteer support and access to creative materials through which they can find alternative ways to express their needs and aspirations.

Please stay tuned to our blog, website, and Facebook page for ongoing updates on our progress and please know that our continued growth simply would not be possible without your encouragement and support.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Alexandra Perkinson
Funding and Outreach Coordinator, Cultural Canvas Thailand  

Launch of Cultural Canvas Thailand Volunteer Blog

Cultural Canvas Thailand is excited to launch the Cultural Canvas Thailand Volunteer Blog. The Art Relief International Blog has been such an amazing resource and record of the work of the Art Relief International volunteers since 2010 we thought it only appropriate to provide a space for our Cultural Canvas volunteers and staff to share their experiences as well. Please stay tuned for regular updates and to learn more about Cultural Canvas volunteer placements and partner organizations. You can also always check out our website, www.culturalcanvas.com, or Cultural Canvas Thailand Facebook page! You'll be hearing from us soon...

- The CCT/ARI Family