Written by our Thailand Team.
Partner Update.
Our partner schools were supposed to open by mid May after their normal semester break but because COVID-19 cases began to increase again, the government postponed school openings until the middle of June. We have prepared and are ready to continue delivering STEM workshops again once schools re-open.
Community Clean-Up.
After long COVID closures and travel restrictions we have finally been able to return to our community clean-up project by visiting Hak Mai tai village in late May 2021.We found that there was less trash than before which showed us that students and the community might be changing their behaviour. We are really happy to see the community area with less trash and will continue our monthly clean ups to ensure the change is long term and there is a sustainable decrease in litter in Hak Mai Tai and other villages as well.
The Day of Vesak.
Vesakha puja or the Day of Vesak is celebrated on the day of the full moon in May. It is a day that commemorates the birth, the success of enlightenment, and the passing of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India, it was absorbed into many cultures all around the globe and is celebrated in different ways throughout the world. Thai people make merit such as offering food to the monks, listen to dharma and meditating. In the evening, each temple in Thailand holds a candlelight procession called a wian tian (wian means circle; tian means candle).
Virtual Internship.
Next month Thailand will have a new Virtual Intern join the team. They will help us conduct research around gender-equality and community awareness around laws protecting children and women. We look forward to working with them!
