Service Learning: Baan Dek Foundation visit

Last week 5 year 12 students from St Andrews International School Bangkok traveled to Chiang Mai to work with the Baan Dek foundation.

Last week a number of our senior students visited the Baan Dek foundation as part of their CAS program. These students first visited the Don Chan school where they painted a mural in one of the student areas. After completing this our students were then offered the opportunity to observe Ban Dek’s Superhero academy in action, this academy aims to give children living in construction camps superpowers related to hygiene and safety. While at this campsite we painted a superhero in the child friendly space that was created for the children. Our students also visited the Green Valley site to learn more about the community football program that has been put in place here by Bann Dek. The students on this trip share their thought below.

Four other students and I were given a valuable opportunity to visit the Baan Dek headquarters in Chiang Mai. We met numerous new people in communities and construction sites, and created memories and experiences that I will cherish forever. Our main purpose when visiting Chiang Mai was to paint meaningful murals in different locations which sheltered children and people, which was mostly concentrated in construction sites. For example, in one of the schools we visited, we painted a tree with colourful handprints instead of leaves to emphasize the importance of a whole community, and serves as a mouthpiece stating that the tree as a whole would not be completed without everyone's contribution and teamwork as a whole community. Throughout our fun but tough Baan Dek journey, I have learnt that there are always a backstory to every single building, or facility, and many people are sacrificing themselves for the greater good in their families lives. I also deeply felt that nothing in our lives should be taken for granted, as there will be people - really closer to you thank you think - that are wishing for something that so small but unable to get, like a safe environment to live in, or medical care. And it is Baan Dek that gathers these wishes, to make them become reality.

-  YuJin Se

We created a few murals that suited the theme for each of the situations, for example, we went to the construction area in which they ran a program called "superhero academy" so we painted a superman that was showing the action of recycling - and also painted other things that could symbolize such activities as well. In the same area, we also created a big red heart which was really enjoyable to paint and helped us bond with each other further. One of the activities I enjoyed the most was the sport activities was with the Lahu tribes in Green Valley, because we were able to interact with many children and people around the village which helped us to understand the living conditions in the area. I found that there are so many programs and service activities that we could organise when we go back to Baan Dek Foundation on June, and we can help to develop Baan Dek even further with St Andrews.

• Julia Sh