The Children of Thailand
Thailand itself was one of the best stages of my life. It was life changing. However I didn't go to Thailand for a holiday. I went to Thailand alone, without knowing anybody, I made the 13 hour flight alone, I was there to Volunteer. In Thailand I did a volunteer project in a children's orphanage/nursery. I have always wanted to do this type of volunteer work, and this was a perfect placement. You will never understand the meaning to poverty until you go and see it and live in it. At the moment I am currently a Nursery Practitioner for a private nursery and I started this job AFTER Thailand, the extreme differences between where I work now and the Orphanage and Nursery I worked in whilst in Thailand are so very clear and drastic. The babies in the Orphanage had one nappy allowance a day, they had minuscule amounts of food, mainly a bowl of rice, their toys were broken and lacking, and they found joy in balloons and small amounts of crayons and paper. It was heartbreaking. Some didn't have parents, and those that did had a mum of the age of 12-15 years of age. It was eye-opening. I fell in love with a little boy who was two years old. I spent most of my time with him, he latched on to me and was so sweet and loving. I was heartbroken when I had to leave. The time I had with the children in Surin will stay with me forever. It made me appreciate my life, and made me angry at how spoilt and unappreciative children and people are in The UK.
Meeting Miss Charlotte Wright
Apart from playing Mary Poppins with children in Thailand, I also found a friend for life. Going to Thailand knowing nobody was scary, but also exciting. Before I went out there I had spoke to girls that would also be on the same volunteer programme. One of these was Charlotte. I often think that it would be so weird now if I hadn't of gone to Thailand I would never of been blessed with meeting Charlotte, so it's clear it was meant to be. I now count her as one of my bestest friends, and we are very close, it's odd because when you go to the other side of the world and meet someone, you share alot with them, you are sharing an experience, and you are in the same boat. We have had life changing moments together, rode an elephant together, played with tigers, got roofied in Chiang Mai, and it would have been easy to get back from Thailand and leave that all as a memory, but that didn't happen, we speak all the time, we partied in Liverpool, we ventured of to Holland and had amazing memories again, and we already have more and more trips planned together. I made a friend for life in her, and I couldn't be happier about that.
Solitary time
With some real lows in 2013, I seeked comfort in time alone, It was good to get my head together.
The plane journey to Thailand and the time spent in the airport, always sticks out to me, with music my only companion I had so much time to reflect and gather all my thoughts, rebuilding myself, and in time alone I found braveness, strength and courage. It also made me a rounded person, making me know exactly who I am. I am proud of myself. I have seen some beautiful sights this year, journeys through Asia, sitting in boats, Tuktuks, coaches. It has made me appreciate life, those around me, and the beautiful things that the world has to offer. I never traveled before 2013, and now It's all i want to continue to do.
Family Time
I have always been a family girl, but this year mainly i realized how important family really is. My family mainly, my Dad, Mum, Brother and Nan, have got me through 2013, they were my rock, they carried me, loved me, looked after me, and supported me in everything I have done. I wouldn't be here without them it is as simple as that, we are all so close, Mum and Dad haven't been together since I was a little girl, but that never mattered, because i was showered with love and always have been. I value every second with them all, and this year when I spent time away from home travelling, I realized I never want to be without them.
Time with my Forks
No comments:
Post a Comment