I hope that this digest finds you well and happy and smiling. As my own departure to Thailand quickly approaches and our service program approaches equally quickly, I would like this to be the last “Digest” in an attempt to facilitate a more free-flowing, sufficient, and comprehensive dialogue. This means that after this digest, all communication between you and me should be as frequent as necessary, and too much attention shouldn’t be paid to consolidation (which has been my own problem with you, admittedly). Consequently, henceforth, if you have a question, address it to all of us. If you have something to contribute, address it to all of us. Each time you send an email concerning LE, address it to all of us. We could all benefit from it immensely.

CC & PD SCHEMING
Since our last family meeting, Supa and I have been had over five skype chats ironing out details about orientation, teaching, and community service. I did my best to describe to her what our mission as servant-teachers is in regards to our service programming and I think she finally truly understood when I used the anology, “We want to teach them how to fish… not feed them.”

Right now, here are Supa’s tasks, and I will update you as soon as she updates me:
1. Establish contact with University students– advertise volunteer-mentor opportunity
2. Research the schools– get teachers involved and see if there is a need for the program
3. Attain class schedules for each of the volunteers (you all) so that they can start planning

Now, as far as Orientation: this is a tentative schedule and seems much more regimented than it actually will be– we are a team and while I must cover certain vital topics, orientation should and must address your needs and wants. That being said, please feel free to suggest any addtions or deletions. One addition to keep in mind that is currently not on the schedule: During our time allotted to “Service Programming” we will be creating feedback mechanisms (surveys, etc). I will also schedule a day for us to have access to internet so we can pump these babies out.

Supa’s birthday– Deven has suggested baking a cake and celebrating. What do you all think? I think it will be difficult to do this in Bangkok but I can definitely help you organize something in Thapanhin.

POST-SERVICE WRAP-UP
Please understand that you are responsible for securing your own accommodations for the nights you will be in Bangkok after the program. I think that you all should coordinate and find a hostel together that is conveniently located and nicely priced. I will be of any assistance that I can– just ask!

Also, I would like you to know that Supa will NOT BE IN THAILAND for the ENTIRE lenght of the program. She leaves the last Monday of July. If you forsee any problems, please let me know.

TO DO:
There is much that we must do, and that you must do with me having little to no access to internet for up to two weeks! Furthermore, there is also a lot you all must collaborate on without my direction or intiation. Please be prepared to take some intiative and independence as a group of volunteers as my transition to Taphanhin is taking place.

From now until June 11:
NUMBER ONE We must hammer out as many details about the Service Programming as possible. I will share with you a google document (thanks Stacy!) so that you all can start working on this together and so that there is a dialogue between you all and me. Now, it is so important that we document every thought we have regarding this programming. So, here are your subtasks for this main task:
LETTER A Since we have decided that it would be best for all of us to work on the same project, there has been a big change in the format of your Field Journals. Your personal Service Programming page on the wordpress site will be for your personal assessment of the LE Thailand Service Programming.
LETTER B I have created a page for all of us to edit and to talk on in the wordpress. It is called “LE Thailand Service Program.” Here, you will find all of your individual write ups. From now until whenever we have decided we have done all that we could before getting to Thailand, you will be communicating, exchanging ideas, asking questions, posting information on this page as comments. It will be a thread that we can all follow. You must work on this as frequently as possible and track your progress.
LETTER C USE ME. I am here. Don’t wait for me to send you an email about service programming to ask about how it’s going. Ask questions. Make demands. USE SUPA. Ask her questions. Make demands from her. Remember how the service programming was to be self-initiated? Supa and I are your resources and you must use and abuse us so that you can get done what you need to get done!
NUMBER TWO Please re-read the Playbook, especially the part about teaching. Ask me questions– I don’t want you to be clueless and helpless while I am gone. Think of materials you can bring to aid you in your teaching.

From June 11 until your Departure
NUMBER ONE — Look Familiar? We must hammer out as many details about the Service Programming as possible. I will share with you a google document (thanks Stacy!) so that you all can start working on this together and so that there is a dialogue between you all and me. Now, it is so important that we document every thought we have regarding this programming.
NUMBER TWO Remember I have made several mentions of the Village Connection Project in digests and in each of our family meetings. I will be honest with you, I have not stressed the importance of this enough, and to my own peril with Katrina, too. It is imperative that you know that establishing rapport with the host community and families is absolutely essential for the sustainability of the program– you know this; I have been drilling it in since we first talked way back in January and February. While our service programming is meant to inherently work at achieving sustainability, there is nothing more effective than direct, cordial communication between LE and you with the Hosts. If you recall from our two family meetings, you will be printing out a brochure, several letters, and will be writing a letter to your host family to bring with you to Thailand to give personally to your host family. Your subtasks:
LETTER A Write your personal letter to your host family that I have asked you to do in the last call. This should include a personal item– a picture of you and your family would be perfect. You letter should be permeated with a tone of thankfulness and willingness to be of service as much as possible. Please print this letter on the LE letterhead– you can do this by opening my letter, deleting the text, writing yours, and SAVE AS your own letter. Let me know if you run into any difficulties.
LETTER B Print out the attachments. I would be nice if you used nice paper and made it official. Use your best judgment about this, please.
LETTER C Don’t forget to bring the packet in a nice folder/legal envelope with you. You will kill me if you do. The order in which the items in the packet is indicated by the numbers within the names of the files– your personal letter should come after Supa’s!
NUMBER THREE PACK! Prepare for departure. Tie up all loose ends.

I cannot emphasize enough that from now until our programming, you must must must take the intiative and the program in your own hands to pull it in the direction you want it to go in. This is the time that you all should really fortify your friendships and partnerships. I ENTIRELY EXPECT you all to talk frequently over skype to plan for the service programming. Talk to Supa. Talk to me. Talk to each other. Remember, if you have something to say, you must email all of us. I said this in the very first digest but it really hasn’t been followed. Please adhere to this policy religiously.

From now on, I will be emailing you in a stream of conscious manner, as you should the rest of us. Whatever comes to mind, whenver it comes, email it.

Until very soon,
yours forever,
Daniel

1THAILAND

2Daniel’s Thank You

3Supa’s Thank You

5Logistics Letter

6Host Family FAQs and English Phrases

I hope this email finds you well and happy, despite the burden of finals week– I sorta kinda know how you feel: I had the pleasure of May Day (super epic here in Berlin), then my Bday, and then two presentations, a paper, and a midterm Monday-Yesterday! Yaay!

Okay, let’s get right to business for the time being. So much to cover and so much for you to keep track of, especially with DATES. For your own good (LOL), I have made all of the DATES you need to know in CAPS, BOLDFACED RED with an UNDERLINE.

CURRENT EVENTS IN THAILAND
Deven shares:

In terms of Thai news, according to a April 24th article on CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/24/thailand/index.html?iref=newssearch) Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lifted the emergency order for Bangkok and nearby provinces after two days of parliamentary debate aimed at solving the political crisis, but no consensus has been reached. National security agencies have indicated that the threat of violence has eased. Bangkok’s streets have been quiet for about a week, after protests engulfed many parts of the capital. Supporters of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra continue to gather during evenings, but do so peacefully. Abhisit told CNN a week ago he would not lift the order until he was convinced that the capital wouldn’t “return to chaos and violence.”
The article also mentions that Thai protest group leader Sondhi Limthongkul who helped topple Thaksin was shot and wounded on the way to host his radio talk show, according to a spokesman for his political party. He underwent surgery and was expected to remain hospitalized until next week, a hospital official told CNN on Monday(Apri 20th).

I found another article with Sondi’s comments about the assassination attempt and they were a little disturbing. According to Angolda Press(http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/en_us/noticias/internacional/Thai-protest-leader-says-soldiers-attacked-him,e015ca24-c9d3-4bd6-8b7a-33d386a1b17a.html) “When there is a change in society, people who stick to the old interests lose their benefits and they will provide resistance,” Sondhi said. “Resistance in a society like Thailand comes in the form of violence, bloodshed.”

The Thai government is resolved to re-schedule the ASEAN summit it canceled due to violence last month. (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/426485/1/.html)

Thailand is hosting an ASEAN summitt on swine flu. ” The health ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries will hold a meeting on May 7-8 in Thailand to prevent the swine flu outbreak in the region, a senior official of Thailand said Thursday. The meeting is aimed at strengthening cooperation among the ASEAN experts and resources in an attempt to guard against the deadly flu outbreak, said Dr. Siriporn Karnchana, deputy permanent secretary of the Thai Public Health Ministry.”(http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/30/content_11289506.htm).

Also, two panels have been set up to start a “reconcilation process”. PM Abhisit says that he “was determined to involve the public in every step for political reforms and charter amendments”. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30101881/Two-special-panels-set-up-to-care-of-reconciliatio

ATTACHED GOODIES
You will find four attached documents that you must read and re-read. Each of these is super important and you must give your undivided attention to each. There is so much information within each one that, should you overlook or read it haphazardly (admittedly, like I sometimes do), the consequences could be dreadful. Really.

First, is the long awaited PLAYBOOK. Do read this with care because I spent so much time on it…. AND it will pretty much tell you everything you will ever need to know about LE Thailand, Thailand, Thai, me, the hosts, teaching, et al. >>This is your LE Bible<< If you find any discrepancies, have any questions, see any typos, whatev, send me an email whenever.

Second is about Health and Safety in a foreign (Thailand) environment. Enough said.

Third is a stupendous article that will, hopefully, cultivate a sense of conviction and educated determination about what you will be doing this summer. Here is what Katrina has to say about it, which, I think, is perfect:

“To Hell with Good Intentions” is a rather caustic dialectic from Ivan Illich that is addressed to student volunteers like us. (Side note: Wikipedia him if you’re curious. He’s a defrocked Catholic priest who has essentially railed against the institutions of education and pedagogical methodology. He’s really fascinating). This is our way of playing the devil’s advocate and getting the volunteer (and also you guys) to realize that volunteering isn’t necessarily purely altruistic, and it can very frequently be harmful, annoying, unnecessary, or just plain offensive under certain circumstances. A very humbling read, you must check this out!

On her note, I would like to add my own two cents, which is a bit irrelevant and tangential to the article: Many of us who are drawn to community service have the here-complex or “messiah-complex.” What I mean by this is that we think we cannot give enough, that there is no such thing as “too much service” or giving too much of yourself, that, essentially, the good ole Americanism, “more is better,” remains to be our tantra as we serve or seek to serve. Growing up with little or nothing to eat or to call my own and witnessing the ruthless self-interest and selfishness of some of my closest relations who put me in that position, I always thought that it is my duty to give as much as possible without regard to the effects it would have on me… indeed, to consider myself and my needs (I conveniently called them “wants”) was an abomination to service and it marred and illegitimized my every motive and effort. Don’t do this. Identify, right now, what you are seeking from this summer, make sure that these motives are ethical: for yourself and for your host community.

The fourth attachment is a form that you must read, print, sign, and mail by JUNE 1. If my importunate didacticism that prefaced the beginning of this section was not clear about the importance of thoroughly reading the materials attached, then I think you will agree that for the LE Execs to require you to sign a form of confirmation that you have done so, is pretty hit you in the face. Yeah?

See below for an explanation of the fifth attachment.

LIVE FAMILY MEETINGS
In case you have forgotten in the midst of studying of finals, graduating, or just plain old living, we’re going to be in Thailand in just over a month! Can you freaking believe it!? Naturally, since this is a pilot (how many times have you heard me use this as reason/excuse to make you do more work!? lol), we will need to amp up the communication tenfold. Really. So, mark the following dates for mandatory live skype calls.

SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2PM EST changed to 5PM
(note, all of your tasks below are due two hours before this…)

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2PM ESTchanged to 5PM
(Supa will be in on this one)

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2PM ESTchanged to 5PM

SERVICE PROGRAMMING
Now that you ladies have sent me your ideas for a service program, which I have pasted below to spark some creativity, I would like you to holistically and comparatively contemplate them. I want you to practice being outcome-oriented… Actually, if there were ever a time to be outcome-oriented, it is NOW. I want you to ask yourself important questions like, “Who will benefit?” “For how long will these people benefit?” “What do I need to establish this program sufficiently?” “Who do I need to establish this program?” There is a whole host of questions that you must ask yourself if we are ever to be successful.

Service Programming Ideas (there was some overlap):

1. Recycling project-would depend on what type of trash disposal system is in place.
2. Meals for elderly. Taking into consideration the types of social safety nets in place in the community, helping out by making meals, or even visiting elderly people in the community is something I think could be really great and easily sustainable.
3. Higher education prep/advancement program? Reaching out to students in the community that perhaps don’t know much about higher education in Thailand and helping them access the resources they would need to pursue it.
4. Disease prevention/hygiene education
5. Start & maintain a literacy magazine for the entire community
6. Mural painting in a beat up part of town / over graffiti. Maybe start an art education/therapy program!
7. Sustainable community garden
8. Recipe Exchange Program
9. Trash clean-up

I will be straightforward: Ideas 1-5 and 7 are the ones that qualify as “Service Programming.” The others are short term projects that, while I highly encourage you to do these during your free time, are either not the type of service we are looking for (i.e. cultural exchange, though it is a key component of LE’s greater mission) or are not sustainable after you leave. What does this mean? Well, it means that we are 6 ideas closer to realizing how we are going to make our trip in Thailand much more rewarding and meaningful than any ordinary teach-english-abroad program! Woohoo!

So, here is your task: As if you were write up a research grant proposal, in as much detail as possible, systematically analyze your assigned ideas, or as I would like to call it, “outcomes” (i.e. “The creation of a library.”). Take them apart and examine and legitimize each every one of their components. Ask all the important questions (W?W?W?W?W?H?). Write up a procedure. Include your ideas of feedback mechanisms. Propose obstacles that you will face. Take care to leave no stone unturned. I want a comprehensive assessment. In addition, though we are 6 ideas in the game, we are still 6 short, and I would like each of you to think of two more ideas for service programs. We will do write-ups of these next week.

Because being outcome-oriented takes versatility, I have assigned the ideas to each of you irrespective of who submitted them. Also, because we have 6 ideas and 4 volunteers, in addition to the two that I have assigned you to do below, each of you will do a write up of idea 3 because this is most in line with the direction LE is going in, and it will take the most consideration if it is to be successful. So!
Crystal: 1, 2, 3
Deven: 2, 4, 3
Nhaca: 4, 5, 3
Stacy: 5, 7, 3

I think that each write up should be about 2-3 pages, single spaced, or however long you need. This is a mere guideline, however. The fifth attachment is a guideline to writing a general research proposal from my school (I would have used one from your alma mater but had this one already saved on my pc– sorry!). Ignore the first page. The second two give good advice and direction if you are unclear. Obviously not everything on these sheets applies. Just take what you want and leave the rest. You don’t even have to open that attachment if you already have a good idea of what and how write up your service program idea. I don’t want this to be too intense. I just want to make sure I am equipping you with the sufficient amount of resources.

SUSTAINABILITY
Because this is a pilot (hehehe), we need to incorporate some kind of mechanism in addition to our service programs that ensures we are sustainable in the future. All or most of you suggested in your interviews that we will need to assess the kind of impact we are having in our host communities. This is excellent. We need feedback, feedback, feedback. Feedback on our teaching, feedback on our serving, feedback on our being hosted, feedback on everything. Feedback from you, feedback from me, feedback from students, feedback from teachers/schools, feedback from Supa, feedback from hosts.

Forms of assessment will be:
The Good
The Bad
Suggestions for Improvement.

What to assess:
PD
CC
Host Fam & Community
Teaching English & Service
Service Program
General LE/LETH

Okay, this takes care of the feedback from you about the various components of the LE experience. LE has provided us with a very awesome tool/platform to do this with: http://lethailandpilot.wordpress.com/
Naturally, I have tweaked it up a bit to show our personality and our über superocity. Here are the directions for what you must do:
1. Accept the invite to wordpress.com from “lethailandpilot”
2. Make your username “yourinitials09″
3. Choose a password
4. Deselect “create a blog” and select the other option (just an account)
5. now you will have access to the LETH blog…

Do this IMMEDIATELY so that I can make you an “editor” so you can start your next tasks, which will be:
1. Find your “Field Journal” on the blog
2. Browse through the different pages, and do the required tasks (they appear on your first page and “Service Program:”).
3. Start the Feedback/Assessment (henceforth called FA) of PD, CC, Service Program, and, if you have anything else, the General section. Remember that FA includes the Good, Bad, and Suggestions…

Next week, we will be discussing methods to attain feedback (as we already have developed a system to get feedback from ourselves) from the community, which will include making surveys, delineating timelines for the distributionssss of surveys, formulating methods of incorporating the feedback into the blog etc. Be prepared!

(RECAP OF) TASKS

1. MARK FAMILY MEETING TIMES ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW
2. Read attachments 1-4, BY MAY 17
3. Read attachment 5 and do a write up of your assigned “outcomes” or service program ideas, BY MAY 17
4. Prepare two more service program ideas, BY MAY 17
5. After you read attachment 3 (To Hell with Good Intentions), take notes and prepare to discuss the article as you would in a seminar, BY MAY 17
6. Accept the wordpress.com invite and create an account, IMMEDIATELY
7. Complete the Field Journal activities, BY MAY 17
8. Complete the What’s the Status Form one last time– as of now, I have that Deven and Nhaca do NOT have visas… This is a HUGE PROBLEM, IMMEDIATELY
   
9. Read the news about Thailand– all of us, BY MAY 17
10. Email me a copy of your passport (I need to see your picture & signature, as well as your visa), BY MAY 17
11. Mail signature form, BY JUNE 1

As I am sure you all know, the May 17 deadline is for our Family Meeting. We need to have all of these tasks completed by then so that we can have a productive and efficient conversation. I want you to email all of the pertinent tasks by 12PM ON MAY 17 which is two hours BEFORE our family meeting.

A few last notes:

• Please read this digest more than once.
• Have this digest open when you try to activate your wordpress account.
• Thank you for staying on top of all of your tasks– YOU ROCK.
• I cannot rearrange the family meeting times. They are absolutely mandatory.

In service and love, and love of service,

Daniel Scott Smith

LE Thailand Volunteer Playbook

Summer Health and Safety Considerations

To Hell with Good Intentions – a service primer

Volunteer Signature Form

researchproposalwriting

I really appreciate you coming to the conference all today. I tried my best to give you the bare essentials and to make it as quick as possible so you can get to class on time, etc. It was also very nice to get to hear you voices again.

A general quick update from me. First, I apologize for not sending you out the family digests for the past two weeks. I try to make our communication as effective as possible so I was hesitant to send you digests without vital information that you need to know and that I need from you. That being said, I was waiting on some various documents and directions from the execs so our family digests are in syncronization with the Program Director Digests. Hopefully that makes sense and hopefully you have enjoyed the past ten or so days of respite, if that’s what you would call it, from any pressing LE Tasks.

RECAP OF FAMILY MEETING (please read carefully)
I would like to summarize each of the concerns and comments that you put forth so that we can contemplate them further and keep them in the backs of our minds for the rest of the pre-service programming.

Crystal and Stacy brought up very good points about their perceptions of how the program has been so far and about how they have observed their feelings about it and their own tendencies. I think the major take-home message was that in the beginning it was hard to integrate LE into your life and to integrate yourself into LE. This was exactly how I felt after my PD started making demands on my time before the trip. I can only imagine that this sentiment has only been amplified now that, in addition to completing all of these logistical tasks, I want you to be “family members.” I understand this completely.

On the contrary, Nhaca and Deven commented that they appreciated how much LE has been incorporated into their lives. It isn’t just a program from June 24 until August 9. Indeed, you became a volunteer immediately once you responded to the offer. Deven also commented about how planning her first lesson is enthralling and getting her excited and pumped to be actually doing something. Stacy was pleased with the extensive logistical information that I have been sending out. This is very pleasing to hear.

As a synthesis, I would like to make some additional commentary on the issues/observations each of you have brought up. First and foremost, it will serve you well to start thinking of yourself as a volunteer NOW, not just in the summer. I had a hard time with attaining this mindset when I was a volunteer for Egypt. I mean, when I decided to volunteer, I was offering my summer, not my semester and summer. Indeed, it was hard at times to manage my school work, my community service projects on campus, a social life, AND LE. However, I think that if you surrender yourself to the fact that you are a volunteer before, during, and after Thailand, you will be better prepared to complete whatever tasks are due more cheerfully and dutifully. Does that make sense? Please let me know.

Deven also brought up the possibility of terminating the program due the current protests in Bangkok. As part of my efforts to cultivate a sense of ownership and partnership in this Pilot Program, the decision to cancel is up to us all, not just me. However, after reading the NYT, BBC, CNN etc, we made the informed decision to continue the pre-service programming with the intentions of going to Thailand in June. We must still be vigilant and reflective, however. Discuss with your parents. Think of the implications of the daily occurrences in Thailand. Bring whatever conclusions you make to the family meeting (i.e. your personal weekly update) so that we can discuss them at length and weight our options carefully and informedly.

The Village Sponsorship Project is the only way we can continue to be in twelve countries across four continents teaching English to over 6,000 students. Indeed, as Katrina has aptly put it, if LE is a party, VSP is the keg. I implore you to take this as your personal mission to raise money for LE and for LE Thailand. Make it your priority and demonstrate in your letters and personal solicitations how important LE is to you and to the world. You have been contacted by David and you will be going to your personal Georgetown Campus Training Day in 3 days on the 18th. Take this opportunity to meet the other LE volunteers!

The Village Connection Project is LE’s way to facilitate a relationship between its volunteers and villages served. It is also an effective step to ensure the sustainability of LE in its host villages and to really make the experience meaningful and worthwhile for all parties involved. We do this by pre-service contact and establishing a rapport with the country coordinator (Supa) and with the host families. Please look out for a packet with instructions about VCP at the end of this month.

The Volunteer Playbook is your window into the teaching experience, learning experience, and cultural experience of Thailand. Essentially, it is the addendum x 10. I have been laboring over it for about 3 months now, and I hope you will find it equally illuminating and enjoyful. This is the staff’s way of preparing as much as possible for your immersion into the village environment as a new teacher.

CURRENT EVENTS IN THAILAND
It would be a good idea, I think, to share with your concerned family members about what we are doing here and the plan of action we have established for deciding whether or not to continue with the program. The more they feel in the loop, the better we can cooperate and make the best decisions available to us.

So, here is what Nhaca has shared with us about the happenings in Thailand:

To sum up the week’s events, the protesters that Stacy and Deven mentioned last week have not let up. Actually, they’ve increased both in numbers and intensity. On Saturday, Thailand was forced to cancel the Asia Summit, after over 1,000 protestors broke into the convention center, calling for the resignation of the current Thai prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva.  Over 16 countries were represented at this convention, including China, Japan and India. The prime minister was forced to declare a state of emergency, and all the representatives at the convention were evacuated.

On Monday morning, protestors defied the state of emergency by massing in the streets (the emergency decree bans gatherings of more than 5) and attacking the prime minister’s motorcade. The army fired automatic weapons into the air, leaving at least 60 wounded.

Here’ what I have to share from the NYT and BBC:

As of Tuesday, April 14, the protests and violence in Thailand have ceased due to the involvement of the Thai Army. Although Bangkok is now relatively peaceful and quite, there is still much tension over the highly polorized clashes between the redshirts and the yellowshirts (aka the royalists). The redshirts, who are the support of exiled Thaksin, claim that the royalists have unseated two governments that have been elected and are fearful that the democracy in Thailand is illegitimate and unjust. The royalists, who have the support of the Queen (a rare occurance) said that the Thaksin government and pro-Thaksin elite are corrupt.

Thaksin’s passports have been evoked, and he is now stranded in Dubai. It is unknown how the UAE will handle his case. The government evoked his passport after he encouraged the redshirts to continue protests, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the Asia Summit and the involvement of the Army.

You all did WONDERFULLY! Next week, Deven and Crystal will report.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS
One of you asked about the 3K business that I mentioned in the last digest. 3K is about how much it will cost you this summer, I think– including your plane ticket. So, I have asked each of you to send me your thoughts about some fundraiser ideas so I can make them available to you all in case you want to organize something for yourself or if you want to do a group thang and then split up the revenue amongst yourselves to help pay for your trip. Here’s what you have given to me:

– Bake sales
– Use Thai food as a fundraiser
– A phonathon
– Car wash in Bikinis
– Krispy Kreme Dougnut Sale
– Lemonade Stand (THAI TEA stand?)
– As a Thai Restaurant to Donate a fixed amount for each customer you recruit

I think these are great ideas. Do you ladies want to pull something off to try to cut the costs of your trip? Ideally, you would coordinate with each other and be completely autonomous. I don’t want to get too involved in the execution because I think it would be a good pre-run for what’s to come in Thailand! Though, let me know what you decide to do, if anything.

SERVICE-MINDEDNESS
I would like to start the discussion about our sustainable community service projects that I mentioned in the the conference call. During your interviews, I asked if you had any specific ideas about a service project you would like to lead. Most of you, not unexpectedly, didn’t have a concrete idea of what you would like to do, citing that you first need to see what the community needs. However, there are few things that I would like you to think about in this next week. First and most definitely the foremost, the “service component” and “service project” will now be called a “service program.” This change reflects a change from a one-time event to a sustained comprehensive program of service that will continue after you leave. Therefore, I want you to think about and send me three different ideas for your service program. Although, ultimately, I think the best way for this to be executed effectively will be for you to work in pairs, I want each of you to think of these ideas on your own, totaling in 12 ideas.

As LE Thailand is a pilot, we don’t have a previous examples to follow and for our creativity to be stunted by. This means that we can essentially make this program whatever we want it to be. Therefore, I ask you, when thinking of these service projects, to think about what you would really really like to do. This is your time to make the world a better place directly. This is your time to really make a positive change. Everything is possible! Don’t think of this as an added task or “more work,” (remember the interview?) but as an opportunity to shine and to do what you want to do. Like I have said many times over again, you must take ownership and responsibility. Truly, what you put into this program is what you will get out of it. I picked each of you for your passion, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and your love of service.

FLIGHT DETAILS/PERSONAL INFORMATION
So, as you should already know, I am given various tasks to hand down to you by Katrina and the other exectuives as we start to approach the departure dates. Attached are four documents with the tasks they would like you to complete in a weeks time. Two attachments are excel documents for you to simply complete and email me back. Another is about spreading the word about LE. The last is just some basic information and various other tasks. All of this is due to me in one week.

HOST FAMILY/SUPA
Supa is now back in Thailand. She and I will be having a long talk later on today to discuss orientation, mid-point break, and the final wrap-up session for our program in Thailand. We will also be discussing the host families and pairing each of you up with whom we think are the best fit based on our pulled knowledge of you and of them. Next family digest, or before, you will received the contact information of your host family. Katrina and I have big plans for you and your host family, pre-service. Be sure to anticipate some upcoming tasks.

Also, I would each of you, as I mentioned before in a previous digest, to start talking to Supa! She is so excited to meet you and to talk to you. Introduce yourselves, ask her questions, and get to know who she is and the role you can see her playing in your LE experience. Her English is a little bit rough around the edges but I am sure you can manage to communicate with her just fine. Her email is som.mud@hotmail.com. Please send her an email with me CCed by next Sunday. Thanks!

VSP & TRAINING DAY
Please send me an update about your VSP letters. I want to know what’s been happening on your side of things: how you feel about the process, where you are at in the process, etc. Also, have you been to Training Day? If so, tell me about it!

RECAP
1. Deven and Crystal, send me a current event apiece.
2. Everybody should send me 3 ideas about their service PROGRAM.
3. Complete the attached forms.
4. Send Supa an email with me CCed.
5. Send me an update about you (including VSP and Training Day)

Okee dokee. I hope this is everything but if it is not, I will not hesitate sending you another email with extras.

Hope you had a fab week!!!!

In service and love, and the love of service,
DSS

Spread the word about LE!

Volunteer Info Packet 2

I would like to start this week’s Family Digest, in response to your updates, with an update of my own. Because I’m on a wacky quarter system, this week was the start of my third term. It wasn’t as exhilarating as the beginning of the last term but I think that is mostly because I haven’t moved to a new country… I’m still here and, while I still love Berlin, everything isn’t brand spanking new anymore. It was pretty uneventful, really. I tightened up my class schedule, made my new term’s resolutions to be more industrious and to work on my abs, and bought my ticket to Thailand (though, I might have been scammed… will keep you posted).

To get to the good stuff… I have to say, I was so happy that most of you shared with me the happenings on the boy front. Oh, these were my favorite. Like with any good relationship, reciprocity is vital. So… on Friday night, I went to a club called “Schwuz,” which was hosting a party called “London Calling” (myspace: http://www.myspace.com/londoncallingberlin). Needless to say, I fell in love with a boy (the cutest I have ever laid my eyes on) and had my heart broken when he vanished. (No need to be worried, this happens at least five times a week.) You see, I was with some friends, who just arrived to Berlin, and they were remarking at how many cute guys they were seeing. I rejoined, “I know riiiiight!” I turned around to marvel and say him. Simply breathtaking. But then I got all timid… I never used to be timid in the party scene but when you’re in an atmosphere that is electrified with sexiness, gayness, and drunkenness, you can’t help but assume that the other person who you want to approach assumes that you want to approach him to sleep with him. I don’t (most of the time, at least) and I didn’t but I couldn’t get past being mental about it. We went to go dance to MGMT and lost him for a while. And then I say him twice more: he walked passed me, and I responded like preteen girl with a giggle and averted my eyes. The second time he passed I sustained eye contact. Rule # 1 Sustained eye contact is a sign of interest from Daniel Scott Smith. But he continued. I resolved to introduce myself next time he came…. but he never did. I looked and looked for him but to no avail. Oh silly me.

On to our Family Meeting:

MEETING THE FAM
I would like to share with you some highlights of each other’s interviews/conversations. I have also included at the bottom of the interviewers’ notes my own note about the interviewee. My notes contain what I think is one of the most impressive things she said in her interview with me when she was just a wee-applicant. Each of us should learn and mutually appreciate. Last, at the bottom, you will find a sketch of Supa and me, both written by me. lawl.

Crystal is a wonderfully sweet sophomore! We both had crazy long days and ended up meeting at our dining hall for dinner on Saturday night. After watching me chow down on salad (Crystal just came from dinner with friends across town!), we chatted first about Thailand (EXCITEMENT!) and then got into our personal stuff. It was so funny to instantly have a connection and talk about our insecurities with the trip and we both were in full agreement that the independence aspect is what drew us to LE. Both Crystal and I discovered that we talk to our parents everyday, which as far as I can tell, is above the norm for most college kids. While we love our parents, we both feel like a little independence will be good for personal growth. [ I realize this sounds like a really serious conversation, but this was intermingled with normal stuff and interests, which I’ll get to later). Then we decided to go to our library and research current happenings in Thailand. || Composed by Deven Comen

I would like to add that when I asked Crystal how she felt about LE Thailand inherently requiring more “work,” she flat out said, “it won’t be more work… at all… We’re all in a community together. We’re in this together. There is no point in me being successful when others can’t be successful. If you have the education and resources, you should simply give.”

Deven came into Georgetown intending to pursue pre-med in the NHS, but is currently switching into the College because she thoroughly hated Bio and Chem. She plans on living on the JDA next year, which stands for the Justice and Diversity in Action Living and Learning Community. Actually, we’ll be living on the same floor since I’m living there next year as well!! She is involved in College Democrats as the Community Outreach Director, Student Movement for Real Change as the Treasurer, and a little bit of everything else. So as you can imagine, she is a very busy girl. Her favorite foods are between Eggplant Parmesan, Unagi Roll, and Mango. Today, she went to the Cherry Blossom Festival and met up with me at Leo’sJ. Deven likes to run and is planning to run a marathon next year! She especially loves running down to the monuments and observing the tourists. She lives in Durham, CT, a small town where everyone knows everyone. This trip to Thailand has made Deven kind of a big deal in her town (but I’m sure she was before too). Everyone knows about her trip and wants her to start a blog about her experience. Three words that describe Deven are klutzy, happy, and hungry. Her sign is a Pisces and her favorite TV shows are Will and Grace, anything on the Food Network, and John and Kate Plus 8. Deven is really close with her parents and calls them every day. || Composed by Crystal Chung

When I asked Deven how she could foresee Buddhism governing her interactions with her students and fellow teachers at school, she immediately said, “I LOVE BUDDHISM.” But that wasn’t what made my mouth drop… Deven continued, “I love to see the dynamic that faith can play in improving the community.” She said that she would stress to her students, “using the Buddhist idea of ‘interconnectedness,’ that service learning and volunteerism,” that helping others is really helping all of us.

Nhaca is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service, intending to major in Regional and Comparative Studies. I’m in the SFS too so we have a lot in common! :) She is from Seattle, Washington, but was born in Vietnam and lived there until she was 2. Half of her family is in the Seattle area, and the other side (Mom’s I believe) is in Texas. She wanted to come to Georgetown because of the amazing School of Foreign Service (SFS) program, and because she wanted to be in DC. Nhaca is very involved in DC Schools–an on campus organization that tutors immigrant children in DC public schools. She has lots of teaching experience! She is also an AGAPE fellow. She lives in Darnall, one of the most notorious freshman dorms, which I also lived in! Only the strong survive Darnall. Nhaca has 2 siblings: an older brother who is 21, and a little sis who is a freshman in high school. Nhaca is going to NYC for Easter to hang out and visit a friend. Nhaca is very outdoorsy, enjoys nature, and was shocked that people on the East coast do not know how to recycle! || Composed by Stacy Sheldon

In addition to saying she would COME BACK TO THAILAND as part of her way of making LE Thailand sustainable, on the topic of service, Nhaca intimated that “It just doesn’t make sense to go abroad as privileged citizens and not serve. Though teaching English is a service in and of itself, LE Thailand takes service to a different level, making it simply the best program to volunteer with.”

Miss Stacy Shelden grew up pretty much all over the world. She went to middle school in Jakarta, high school in the UAE, and her extended family is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Because she was involved in MUN in high school, Stacy chose to go to Georgetown to study international affairs. Stacy is currently a second semester senior in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service (which means not only does she expertly skip all her classes, she also has a secure job for the fall). She majored in International Politics with a certificate in International business diplomacy. In the fall Stacy will be working for Accenture, a financial consulting firm based in DC.

Stacy chose to be a part of LE Thailand because she wanted to experience service overseas. Though she wasn’t able to commit to the Peace Corps, Stacy views this as a “miniature peace corps” and is doing her part to make the world a better place. Stacy is also interested in development issues, and has spent time in Thailand. || Composed by Nhaca Le. (with one “e” =b)

Along with the creativity it fosters, Stacy appreciates the service aspect of LE Thailand because of the inherent intimacy of working alongside the community. She cited that she went to India for Habitat for Humanity and built houses alongside the homeowners– she loved being able to serve them as friends, peers, and equals. “WE want this. Not just me.”

Supa is as free as the wind. Her life story of being born into a huge family (I think 7 children) of a very small town, graduating college despite not having the best support and being doubted, and immigrating to the United States where she built herself up as an entrepreneur creating her own salon called “Supa Hair Salon,” among many other things, say it all. After high school, because she wasn’t the top of her high school class, she attended the only free-admission university in Thapanhin. While it is accessible to anyone and everyone, it is renowned to be the hardest college from which to graduate– but she did it. She got her B.A. Business Management (I think…), fell in love, got married, and came to the US with her husband. She had a son, Pakapol (you will meet him), and lived the American Dream for some years.

But Supa is as free as the wind. With her maturing son (he’s a senior in high school now) and brewing discontent and restlessness, she travels to and from Thailand at least twice a year, where she is part political activist, part teacher, part house builder, part Dharma teacher, part life-coach and mentor, part Grandma, part Auntie, part Thai, part American, part of you, and part of me. Supa is fun-loving, intellectually spiritual, downright hilarious, and, above all, caring, compassionate, and all-loving. I consider her as a mom, an aunt, a twin-soul, a partner in crime, a friend. You will too.

Daniel Scott Smith became intimately involved with LE through the Egypt Program in 2008. Not a stranger to service or teaching (he’s taught in Thailand and volunteered extensively in high school and at college), Daniel instantly became infatuated with the LE mission and started to think of more ways he could truly “expand horizons through global volunteerism.” To that end, he inquired about, proposed, and succeeded to create a Pilot Program in Thailand. Daniel is often deliciously over-the-top, sincerely passionate, and always ready to get down and dirty (in the service sense, of course!). You can usually find him at Stanford walking to and from an English Literature or Art History class (or a meeting!) with a bottle of “Tangerine Scream” in hand and a smile on face. He’s a huge fan of “Shoes” by Kelly.

That’s what is says on the LE site… In addition, I love scandaling, bunburying, and girl-talking: preferably, all at once, thanks. I’m a personally adamant vegetarian, night owl, believer in soulmates, Harry Potter fan (I’m listening to the HP3 audiobook currently), white wine drinker, classy not assy fool. I enjoy being flighty and frazzled– though, I don’t do it purposely… I’ve learned to love how I am at resting state.

WHAT’S THE STATUS: PASSPORT, VISA, AND TICKET
According to Google Forms, all have you have completed the required tasks that I so humbly asked of you, and you have valid passports. YOU ROCK. Most of you have bought your tickets (GIRRRRRLZZZ, you gaaht it.) and will be venturing to the Thai Embassy tomorrow. Goodness me, you make my job facilitating a piece of cake. Rather, a carrot because I’m getting a bit pudgy. Use some Thai from the Addendum when you go to the Embassy! “Sa-wat-dii Kaa!” “Ben yung aaiii kaaa?” (Hi! How are you!?) Be sure to resubmit the form (it’s attached below) by MONDAY, April 13 at NOON. I don’t want you to work on an official holiday. Also, for clarification– I only ask on the form about the bank statement to know whether or not you have the statement… Not to know your personal finances! Also, do each of you have a valid US passport? I should have asked sooner… there might be a few minor complications if you’re not a US citizen but I am assuming you are since each of you have conveyed to me you have completed the Visa App form….
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=cFhlSjVrSmZYcTRsUEliY0FNUmJ5Umc6MA

WHAT’S THE STATUS: HEALTH, DIET, RELIGION REQUISITES
You will be in rural Thailand. Resources for medicine, diet, and/or religion will be limited. Therefore, I would like you to complete this form with any pertinent information that Supa and I should be aware of so that we can best accommodate you and direct you to the nearest resources.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cFhlSjVrSmZYcTRtcmwxNzQyekRTREE6MA

CURRENT EVENTS IN THAILAND
Deven shares:

A Thai citizen was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for insulting the king and his family by posting edited photos of the monarchy on the Internet, Bangkok Criminal Court said. The poster, Suwicha Thakho admitted altering photos of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family, the court said.

Considering what we know about Thai loyalty to the monarchy-this pretty much enforces the addendum…we really have to be careful what we say, it seems!

There’s been an outbreak of fighting along the Thai border with Cambodia!!

The numbers vary-but some people (maybe 4-5) have died as a result of the incident.  The AP said in the NYT on April 3rd that:

“Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged machine-gun and rocket fire on Friday, killing as many as four people as a dispute over an 11th-century temple flared up. Cambodia said four Thai soldiers had been killed and 10 captured near the Preah Vihear temple. Thailand said one Thai soldier had been killed and none captured, but two Thai Army officers said two soldiers had been killed.”

I found out a little more about what they are fighting for.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda said troops would refrain from armed retaliation against Cambodian soldiers as the Thai position was to settle all problems through negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat called on Cambodia to stop firing all weapons into Thailand and said both sides should be patient in allowing negotiators to resolve the conflict.

Preah Vihear, or Khao Phra Viharn as it is known in Thailand, sits on an escarpment that forms the natural border between the two countries and has been a source of tension for generations.

The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, but the ruling did not determine the ownership of 4.6 square kilometre of scrub next to the ruins, leaving considerable scope for disagreement.

Thailand and Cambodia will meet at the Joint Boundary Commission Saturday and Tuesday in Phnom Penh.

Interestingly, Singapore and others are publicly saying that they don’t want this to escalate anymore!

Singapore has urged Thailand and Cambodia to show restraint in a violent border dispute between the two neighbours that has claimed the lives of at least two soldiers.

“We are concerned about the recent developments at the border and we urge both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the broader interests of the region,” the Singapore Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We encourage both sides to continue to resolve their differences peacefully through further negotiations.”

I guess we’ll wait and see what happens.

Crystal shares:

The political unrest in Thailand is becoming more strained as the new government faces increasing opposition from its populace. In December, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra lost control of government power when some of his allies abandoned him. There is much resentment around this issue, as many people think that the current monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej, and his advisers plotted against Thaksin and his allies. Since then, a new party has come into power, which is facing intense conflict and rivalry with the party loyal to Thaksin. Thus, the country is basically divided up into two groups: pro-Thaksin and anti-Thaksin. The pro-Thaksin party sports the national red-white-and blue flag to represent its support for more republican ideals. It still supports monarchy, but suggest that it should stay above politics. On the other hand, the anti-Thaksin party sports the color yellow to show its hard-line support for the monarchy, arguing that republican ideals cannot be attained in a country where the citizens are so poorly educated.

The main reason for the present increase in tension is the economic crisis. The country’s economy fell last year when an anti-Thaksin demonstration blockaded some airports, causing several shutdowns that damaged Thailand’s crucial tourism industry. This current economic crisis is creating more of a stir around Thaksin’s oust in government, for many saw him to be as a competent financial manager during his five years in power. Although he is currently in self-imposed exile, he addressed the Thai populace in a broadcast, in which he estimated that two million people would be laid off due to this economic downfall. Statements such as these fueled the populace. As of now, the growing opposition draws as many as 30,000 demonstrators (many of whom are fired workers and lower-income workers).

Now, I don’t want to be elementary here and ask you questions regarding the main idea. However, I would like to make sure each of you is reading and keeping up to date on the issues in Thailand, should the time come when we have to make a decision to keep the program running, we can do so educatedly. So, for now, I will bank on all of us reading the Family Digests thoroughly and thoughtfully. =b

PERSONAL FINANCES
Don’t have 3K in pocket change for this summer? Well, it’s time to pull out those old fund raising tools from high school, girl scouts, Relay for Life, et al! I understand that coming to Thailand is a financial burden for most or all of us. I feel it too, especially because I cannot legally work here in Germany and my parents have officially cut the financial umbilical cord just three months ago (when the found out their having another baby!). You ladies are very lucky because the four of you live in the same vicinity. Perhaps you could get together and figure out a group fundraising effort? But before you do that, as part of your weekly tasks, I want each of you to compile a list of past successful fundraisers you have completed. I know college campuses aren’t as effective as high school, but you have to try if you think you have no way to personally assume responsibility of the expenses of the trip. I do not want to lose any of you for financial reasons. I will work with you very closely if this becomes threatening.

I understand this might be putting the horse before the carriage. So, let’s do this: compile a list, send it to me, I will include it in next family digest, and we will discuss the next plan of action from there. Sound good? This way, we are still being productive and taking some quality preemptive measures.

THE LE THAILAND FAM ON FACEBOOK
Although there is just a few of us, I think it would be nice to consolidate ourselves into a wonderful group on FB. It might be a good place to communicate for unofficial stuff and to send messages and post links. Actually, now that I think of it, please post your the resources you use for your current events on the group page! That way each of us will get notified with the links and have convenient access. yay! (I hope you don’t mind seeing my thinking transcribed here in the email…)

I have invited you all. Naturally, I have some tasks for you to complete.
1. Accept the request.
2. Once I have made you an admin, I want each of you, based on what the LE Fam has been so far, write a five sentence (no more, no less!) blurb in the “details” section about who/what we are. Make sure there is character. Over-the-top, delicious, juicy, delightful, scintillating character. Basically, make sure it reflects you all.
3. Deven and Crystal, post the links you used for the current events, please.

THE FAM HAS ITS FIRST-EVER LIVE FAMILY MEETING
Oh yes, it’s time! We will be having our first ever family meeting via skype (hopefully, I can figure out how to do this). I would be delighted to talk to before Easter. This means that we have some FAST planning to do. Please REPLY ALL with the times you are available this week, Monday thru Saturday. Do this within 24 hours of the receipt of this email, please. It is important to get this done before Easter because my boss, the PoD, needs me to orally impart some important information unto you by April 15.

RECAP & MISC
1. Reply All to this message wih your availability this week for a 1hr skype call. NOW.
2. Current Event: Nhaca, Stacy, and Me
3. Fill out “What’s the Status: Passport, Visa, Ticket” form by Monday, April 13.
4. Fill out “What’s the Status: Health, Diet, and Religious Requisites” form by Monday, April 13.
5. When you send me your weekly update (your reply to this message doesn’t count), please put the subject line as “Your Name Digest # n.” Before, I gave you a different format, which none of you, as far as I can remember, did. Use this format so I can, if I must, refer back to it. It would be exceptionally efficient for me if you also put your weekly tasks (whose deadline is the same as your weekly update) in this email as well. Oh, and um, keep the juice flowing! Due by Monday, April 13
6. Join the Facebook. Write a 5 sentence description each. Do this ASAP but by Monday, April 13.
7. Compile a list of effective fundraisers you participated in. Monday, April 13.
8. Crystal and Deven, please post your source links on FB AYEC (At Your Earliest Convenience)

IN YOUR DIGEST TO ME, please include
1. Your personal update
2. Current Event, Nhaca and Stacy (don’t forget to post your source links on FB)
3. Fundraiser Ideas

I would like to thank Crystal and Deven for doing a super excellent job on the current events. I feel educated and ready for more! I would like to thank all of you pulchritudinous ladies for completing all of your tasks and really taking ownership. I am a little bit jealous that I can’t be in D.C. with you all to enjoy your company amongst the cherry blossoms. Really.

As soon as Supa gets back from her Buddhist retreat, she will have access to email and introduce herself. When she does this, feel free to email her and ask any questions. We will be withholding most details about the host families until they are absolutely set in stone. So, I encourage you to establish a rapport based on an exchange of information about yourselves.

If you haven’t received a personal response to your weekly update, expect one from me by tomorrow, if not tonight.

In love and service,
DSS

I hope this email finds you deliciously well and happy that it is becoming spring time. I just got back from spring break– I was in Barcelona and Paris. Both beautiful cities but they made miss Thailand, soooo much. You ladies are going to love it there. Hands down.

Speaking of ladies… There are FIVE of you, plus me, that make up the immediate LE Thailand Family. Unfortunately, the fifth (Supa, the CC), is in Thailand right now and doesn’t have the time to check her email periodically. That being said, I think it is a good idea to start getting to know each other so we can have a better understanding of the human behind the email address. For clarity, here is the breakdown of the LE Fam:

Crystal Chung
Deven Comen
DSS, Program Director (PD) in Berlin
Nhaca Lee
Stacy Sheldon
Supa Laosri, Country Coordinator (CC) in Thailand, but will be in FL, then in Thailand again

I was going to put your schools next to your name but I as I got to Stacy, I realized you are ALL from Georgetown. Deven told me that she and Nhaca had dinner together the other night. Perhaps all of you could take advantage of extremely unique opportunity and coordinate a time(s) to get together…? I apologize for not providing much uni-diversity… I paid no regard to where applicants when to school. I think it was for the best.

To get the discussion rolling, I would like you four to talk to interview each other! Here’s the partner breakup:
Crystal & Deven
Nhaca & Stacy

I don’t care what you talk about, just as long as you feel like you know more about your fellow family member after the conversation is over. You all have skype… but you also live on the same campus…. you decide how and when to interview. But, you have one week to do it: I would like you to have had your conversations by NOON April 5. Send me your notes then so I can include them in the next digest. In the mean time, I will be working on Supa’s introduction so we can have mini-bio about everyone and be formally introduced. However, don’t let this structure limit your interactions with each other. You will get out of this what you put into it.

Now on to more pressing business:

PLANE TICKETS

For reasons you will learn about very shorty below, you need to buy your ticket as soon as possible. Here are few things to keep in mind:

1. Because Supa and I will be traveling to Bangkok on June 23, we cannot pick you up earlier than June 24. To reiterate the conversation we had before about dates and such, here is an excerpt:

1.) When I say the 24th, I mean that Supa and I will be able to pick you up from the airport starting at 5am until midnight, the 25th. And when I say that Supa and I “will be able,” I mean that we will “only be able.” If you get there before the 24th, you will need to find your own accommodation because Supa and I will be arriving very late into Bangkok from Taphanhin on the 23rd and will most likely be unable to pick you up.

2.) As far as logistics on the 24th: Supa and I (and quite possibly other family members of mine) will be coordinating picking you up at the airport and bringing you back to my house. Depending on how many more volunteers we get, we will either stay there or we will need to book a hostel for the night. But during the day, that will serve as HQ… naps, food, showers, et al will be available after your epic flight. If you get in real real late on the 24th, we will bring you food.

3.) Transportation costs should be included on the site. There is a price breakdown of everything to expect to pay for. But to answer your question here, YES, you will be responsible for the costs of getting to Taphanhin. Again, depending on the number of volunteers, the price can range from $20 to $40 by van(s).

4.) All flights should depart on the 9th onwards (do not book a flight for late night on the 8th)… which brings up a very important point: you may need a hostel to stay in for the night of the 8th or longer, if you book a flight for later than the 9th. You can leave anytime on the 9th… whenever you are most comfortable. I will be in Bangkok with you to help coordinate transportation but I will not be able to take each of you to the airport individually.

2. Plane tickets are your number one priority, now that everyone has mailed their required forms. As is included in the addendum, you can find cheap tickets at: kayak.com and statravel.com. For a full list, please refer to addendum. [On that note, I have noticed that there is a discrepancy of dates on the addendum and site and what I have said here. To make it short: what I say here overrides all.]

3. Once you have purchased your ticket (I know it’s difficult to work without deadlines… so one will be sent soon], please notify me so I can get a restful night of sleep.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
The first thing you should do right now is check to see that your passport is valid for six months AFTER the trip is over. Precisely, this means that if your passport expires before January 10, 2010, you must apply for a new passport ASAP. Please reply to this email to let me know the status of your passport: Meets requirements, Getting a new one, Don’t have one but getting one.

Please consult the State Department @ http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738_2.html to learn how to apply or reapply for a passport. [warning: the site looks a bit awkward; I’ve already complained…]

Next on the menu is Visas. I have already underlined how to attain your visa to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days in the addendum. You four are quite lucky because the Thai Embassy in the US happens to be in D.C.,! This means reduced post time, among other things (like going to the embassy and complaining if necessary, lol).

Please consult the Thai Embassy  @ http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Tourist.aspx to learn how to apply for a visa.

How to apply for a Thai Visa:
1. Attain a valid passport.
2. Buy your ticket to Thailand and attain a copy of your itinerary with proof of payment.

3. Attain 2 Passport Photos (see website for exact specifications).

4. Complete the application (it’s attached for your convenience)

5. Have a bank statement or proof that you are not going to Thailand poor (you must have at least $500 in the account)

(At this point you have two options: go to the Royal Thai Embassy, 1024 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. Washington D.C. 20007 between 9am-1pm, M-F or you can mail it [which takes a lot longer]. If you mail it, follow the next steps)

6. In an envelope addressed to Royal Thai Embassy, Consular Section (visa) Rm.101,1024 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Washington DC.20007, include:

a. All of the above (including your passport)
b. A self-addressed, Next-Day Express Mail with a $17.50 postage stamp (NO METER STAMPS)

7. Luckily for us, there is NO application fee between March 5 and June 4th. Yay!

Because the application process takes a long time, I would very much like regular updates on the status of the application. So, in addition to your interview notes, I would like to have an update on the status of your application. I expect you to have completed the form that is attached and your pictures taken.

VILLAGE CONNECTION PROJECT (VCP)

This is a brand new project being lead by the DoP, or Director of Programming (my boss). Essentially, our aim is to connect to the villages/towns to establish rapport to establish sustainability throughout all of the Learning Enterprises Programs. The THFAM has a few tricks up its own sleeves, too, but we will also be participating in the project. Okay, what does this exactly mean? Right now, for you, it means that we are going to be a part of it. Later, it will entail you printing some brochures and packets for your host family. We are trying to foster correspondence between the host families and LE as an organization to make us seem as legitimate as we are to the host families. I will keep you updated periodically.

WEEKLY HOMEWORK

Because there has been lots of political unrest in Thailand over the past six months, and because LE Mexico was canceled for violence-related issues in the area, we will have weekly current events related to Thailand. Since we are a family, we will share the responsibility of educating the rest of the group. Therefore, we will alternate weeks, starting with Crystal and Deven! Yay! Next week it will be Nhaca and Stacy. After that, I will update you, then the cycle will repeat. I will send reminders a week before.

What does it mean to educate the family? I want each of you to peruse THREE different news sources and write a synopsis of the pertinent information. It will help if you talk with each other beforehand so there isn’t an overlap. Some useful sources include: BBC, CNN, NYTimes, Bangkok Post, State Department, NPR, The Nation (another Thai news paper), Reuters. Please email me these synopses (there will be two each week… one from each) by NOON SUNDAY. I will include this in the Family Digest so we are all aware of the risk currently in Thailand.

In order to promote a healthy conversation between us, I would like each of you to send me an update each week as well. As I am sure you have picked up on the trend, I would like to have this by Noon on Sundays. Tell me how you are doing. Classes, tests, boys, girls, trips, adventures, THAILAND… anything and everything. I know this seems like work, but it will be worth it. I am sure.

COMMUNICATION

I am pretty sure all of you have a gmail account– whether it is the one I send things to is a different story. Email gets very tricky once we have several addresses that direct certain emails to certain accounts. For all the correspondence that happens with the Fam, please make sure that it finds its way into a gmail account. If you do not have a gmail account now, get one, and when you next send me an email, send me one from that address. My school address is defaulted but I use gmail– so you see that my address is @stanford.edu but everything happens from gmail. You can do this too, if you prefer. Just make sure (and let me know) that you have a gmail account.

That being said, I need you to respond to my emails within 24 hours of receiving them. A simple confirmation will do. This is important so I know that we are all on the same page. Also, if you have a question, make sure you ALWAYS RESPOND ALL (a gmail function… maybe others’ too?). Remember, I keep emphasizing the family aspect of LE Thailand so that we can be a community. Act as if email were a family meeting where questions are raised in front of everyone.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

1. Email me every week by noon on Sunday. In this email, you should have your own personal update, the current event if it is your turn, and any and all other information/materials that is due (i.e. visa app status). Please make the subject line: “Your Name’s Update # n”

2. Purchase your plane ticket asap.

3. Begin your visa application

4. Interview your partner

5. Email me within 24hrs to confirm you got this message

WHAT’S DUE

For clarity, your next email, which should be sent by next Sunday, April 5 at noon, should contain the following information:

1. Interview notes

2. Status of your application (at least: passport photos taken & paper application completed)

3. Status of your passport

4. An update about you

5. Current Event (Crystal and Deven)

6. Status of your plane ticket

Well, it’s been a pleasure. It’s now 340ish AM my time.. I might have taken a 3 hour nap today and rendered myself sleepless.

In love and service,

DSS

Thai Visa Application

Hey LETH Fam,

Once again, I would like to express how happy I am to have you as a part of the LE Thailand Family. Really, you are the best of the best, and I really couldn’t have better volunteers than you. Each of you is truly inspiring in your own way.

Immediate & Urgent Info:
Okay, the most pressing information that I need to convey is that the LE Fam is still growing. The LE Mexico program was cancelled because of the violence in the region and the risk associated with it. Therefore, we have the opportunity to welcome some of the fabulous volunteers from the Mexico program into our family. What does this mean for us? It means that we will be in a prolonged state of limbo and transition as the LEMEX kiddos decide if which of the LE programs they would like to join. I apologize in advance for not being able to give you the closure that each of seeks after a long, long application period.

Attached are two very important documents. One covers all of the immediate, compulsory tasks that must be completed in about a week’s time. These documents are written and issued by the LE Executives (we’ll go over the LE structure and history during orientation). This means that we do not have the luxury of being casual about deadlines, unfortunately. Once you have completed the tasks, send me an email confirmation.

Recently Asked Questions:
When are the arrival and departure dates?
–>Arrive ON (NOT before or after!!) June 24.
–>Depart on or after (not before!) August 9.

When should I start buying my plane tickets?
–> NOW! We need to get our tickets as soon as possible for two very important reasons: (1) the tickets get more and more expensive by the minute and (2) we need apply for our visas ASAP.

There will be an email in about a week and half’s time with more detailed information about final deadlines and the process of applying for visas. For now, have a look at the addendum, which is on the site.

What can we expect in the near future?
– An email introducing you to Supa, our country coordinator and my aunt (soon to be your aunt)
– Team-building/family-building activities so we get to know each other
– Dates for conference calls so we can hear each others voices and possible see each others faces
– An email introducing you to the new volunteers

Taking Ownership:
As I said in the interviews, the addendum, your congrats emails, and everywhere else I could, we are now an LE family. While it is my job to provide support and guidance, and to ensure the proper forms are completed and tickets bought, I am no more in charge of this program than you are. It is sooooooo important to start feeling like this is YOUR program. I want you think about how you can take ownership and how you can make it what you want it to be. You didn’t sign up for a program in which you just blindly go through the motions of teaching and doing tasks. You signed up to create your own program. Does this make sense? So, some tangible ways to start the process of acquiring ownership and responsibility:
– Think of the structure of the program that I have provided you with. Now, think about how you think it could be better. Write that down and save it for later– we will have a family meeting about how to incorporate your ideas with the others’ ideas to make LETH a product of us all.
– Think about the service project. Think things that you could do individually or with a partner or with 6 other volunteers to establish a sustainable service program as an element of LETH. This now the time to think BIG, GRAND, WORLD-CHANGING, LIFE-CHANGING.
– Think about the nature of a pilot. How can we effectively assess our progress? How can you assess your own progress? What actually constitutes progress? Start thinking about your goals and the goals I have proposed.

Keeping Perspective
LETH is not just a summer program for us. We will be working from now on until well past the end of the program. Consequently, we need to be prepared for and anticipate doing a lot of tasks (some minute and tedious, other big and exhausting) before our departure.

Each of you showed an impeccable ability to thinking outcome-orientedly. This means you understand not only what we want to do but the steps we need to take to get there. Make sure you always practice this way of thinking with LETH.

The next two weeks will be a period of transition and limbo, as mentioned above. You do have some tasks to accomplish, yes, but mostly it’ll be about waiting to get the show on the road (which each of should start by thinking about taking ownership). I anticipate that you will have many questions that will go unanswered unless you ask me directly. Please send any and all questions you have to me and the rest of the volunteers. Let’s start the discussion.

Keep in mind the implications of “taking ownership.” If you are dissatisfied with me or how the program is turning out, call me out, call each of out! If you don’t, you’re being irresponsible. This is a committee, and egalitarian force of service (lol). I have no more say in this than you do. If you don’t think I am doing my job well, tell me how I can improve. I will do the same for you. Also, be responsible for your ideas and thoughts. Start a journal or document that can be a bank of all your moments of insight and epiphany regarding LETH. Though starting now until the mid-August, we will perpetually be in a “family meeting,” we will also have real-time, skype family meetings. This will be the time to bring up anything and everything that you have thought about.

Much like the Buddhist culture in Thailand, contemplation (though not with out subsequent action) will be how we get this program going in the direction that we want it to go in. That is to say, we always need to be self-aware and thoughtful about the implications of our actions and inaction, as a group and as individuals.

Recap:

–Read the attached documents and perform required tasks by the deadline

–If you have unanswered questions, ask them to the whole fam

–Start thinking about cultivating responsibility and ownership within yourself for LETH

–Anticipate emails from me introducing you to Supa and the new family members

–Be okay with a structureless program for a while until we have the whole team assembled

–On that same note, anticipate irregular communication; I will always respond to your emails, but entire family addresses will be less frequent than I’d like (and probably you’d like) until the fam is whole

I hope to hear from you soon!

In love and service, and love of service,

DSS