The generosity of the Thai people

Tonight was a significant enough night that I had to blog. Korin, a new ETA who now teaches at Sawan Anan Wittaya in the same department as me, jump started the Bags of Caring Hearts for Soldiers Fulbright campaign to support the soldiers of Thailand helping with flood relief efforts. I taught 6 classes today and after being on my feet for 6 hours of the day, I wasn't looking forward to the fundraiser which was going to be in the form of student bands from our school playing music at the local night market and us holding boxes for donations.

It wasn't the event that hit me nor the good music by our students nor the camaraderie of the young teachers in our department. It was the generosity of the people in our little town of Sawankhalok. All sorts of people came to drop money into our boxes. It was the people who seemed to have the least but gave generously who touched me the most. There were ladies in plaid shirts, day laborers, who passed by in a group and each dropping coins into our boxes. I highly doubt they make much for their hard work, yet they still had the heart and generosity to donate to our cause. There were students with their single moms who came to support us and gave money. There were grandmothers and grandmothers. There were shopkeepers and food sellers around us who, after closing shop, came to give us some of the money they earned. I was blown away by how kind and selfless these people are. They had so little, but the 20 baht they gave was so meaningful. Twenty baht in Thailand can buy you one meal so it was equitable to at least 5-8 dollars in America.

I still don't quite understand how people who have so little can give so much, but this shows I have quite a lot more to learn. I live in an amazing community. The little town of Sawankhalok and the people have captured my heart.