Olivia Jennings, a student from Lesley University shares her Chiang Mai IPSL experience...
 

During my sophomore year of college at Lesley University in Boston, USA, I began imagining a life in a foreign country.  I currently write this sitting in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  I truly do have to commend myself for choosing Chiang Mai; this city has given me the greatest gifts of any travels thus far.
Over the past semester, I have been volunteering at Grandma Cares Partnership Program in Chiang Mai, Thailand, while studying in the Thai and Southeast Asian Studies Program through The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership at Payap University.  Among my studies of Buddhism and Thai Society, Gender and Sexuality in Thailand, Thai language, and a service-learning course on social issues, I have been fortunate to volunteer with Hope Watcharaprecha and the Grandma Cares Program.  Among the many volunteers, workers and sponsors, Hope runs the show so well, and I genuinely can say that she is a grandmother to all the children to whom we offer help.
Grandma Cares Partnership Program aims to “give the children of Northern Thailand, who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS, the chance to lead healthy and successful lives, in hopes that by doing so, the children can contribute positively to Thai society,” says Hope.  Through much international networking over the past six years, we have managed to get educational funding for seventy two Thai youths.  These expenses are funded by many sponsors world wide, and are a mere four hundred US dollars for a whole year of schooling per child.  We are so grateful for the help we have received thus far, but are always accepting donations, whether they are money, books, clothing, or time out of your daily lives.
As part of our encouragement to enable these kids to live healthy lives, we take them on outings to various local attractions and run art workshops.  We have visited Maesa Elephant Camp, the Chiang Dao Caves, and a local Leprosy village for the kids to pay respect to their elders.  I also set up a Dream Catcher making workshop, where both grandmothers and children created dream catchers to inspire goal making and chasing their dreams.  These activities open them up to what their community has to offer and help build them to be responsible, caring individuals.
Tied to finding funding and offering school scholarships to these children, we help maintain a weaving co-op in Padaeng Village.  They are a group of local Northern Thai women who practice their craft of weaving by making beautiful products which we sell.  In cooperation with a local market in Chiang Mai, a well-run online store attached to our website, and through many international connections, Hope and I help these women sustain themselves financially by selling their art.  These items are for purchase on our website, as well as a wealth of information on our history, activities and how you can help our grandmothers and children.
My work with this organization has opened me up to so many people, truths of Thailand and allowed me to explore new aspects of what this world has to offer.  Getting to know and work with Hope has cancelled out any shreds of homesickness, as she is so loving and kind.  The resources she has provided and put on my life path will certainly be used in my future; and the people I have met through her and our work have made this experience so worth it and life changing.  Without any doubts, I advise that studying and serving abroad or offering your time and heart to organizations such as Grandma Cares really does broaden horizons. Helping others proves that so many good things can result when the time, effort and love is there.
Please visit our website to find out more ways you can help:  www.grandmacares.org

May 10, 2010