So many things have changed there, some good and some well not that great. I was away from there for a few weeks because the kids had mid-term exams and then a 3 week holiday break. When I was living there I would get to see all of the kids all the time but now having Hilltribe in the CIty, I am really busy. It was nice to have a break from the but when I got back I was amazed at all of the changes.

Now the boys and girls eat separately and the food is cooked in 2 different kitchens. The girls have tables while the boys eat on the floor but this is not a big deal here in Thailand. At the Hilltribe in the City house we eat 95% of the time on the floor, picnics everyday. The new school is built and the old school is now being used for more girls dorm rooms. The boys dorm is getting an extension built on it as well as some new toilets and more space to bathe and wash clothes. They have planted more tress and cemented a few other areas where the kids can play on a flat, not to dusty surface.

The only thing is now they have room for more kids and they are getting them. There were about 640 this past year and the plan is to have about 900 next year. When I asked if they were getting more Monks or other helpers since there will be so many kids, I was told, “not sure”. Really, I mean 250 more kids and no more help! CRAZY! I was also told that they do not want to have any more foreign volunteers there to help, why I don’t know, again, CRAZY! I will always be allowed since I have been helping so long and I love those kids so much so I will do my best with what they allow me to do. There is a picture of where the garden I planted with the kids was, you will see it is totally flooded and everything is gone.

Mainly I have been teaching English to the older kids and we have plans to do a short course about ice cream making, coffee and fruit drinks (these are very popular here) and some baking too. I hope this happen sooner then later. Unfortunatly since there has been so much flooding in Bangkok some of the budget for these classes have had to go to Bangkok to help the schools there. The kids are still super sweet and always bring a smile to my face when I see them.

As you can see from the pictures, the bear is still there, sad. I was told she will soon go to the Zoo and I hope this is true, I think she would like some other food since she only eats cabbage, bananas and coconuts. Lucky the monkey is still there too but not going anywhere and he love bananas…..