Kirsty Hartley - Thailand Summer Camps 2009

What was your occupation when you decided to travel with PoD

I work full time at Keele University School of Medicine as Education Office Manager – it’s a busy job which I love. I am also studying part-time at Keele University for my Masters.  Being in full time employment I can only get so many weeks annual leave each year.

Why did you want to travel?

I have always loved travel and seeing new parts of the world, I really wanted a “holiday” with a difference that allowed me to both see something of another county and also “put some thing back” into a community. I am not a lying on the beach sort of person – so that coupled with my love of children made this the ideal project.

What attracted you to Thailand?

Thailand – it was on my “to visit” list. I had heard lots of good reports from friends and colleagues and was interested in the culture as well as wanting to see some of the picture postcard beaches that are in every guide book. 

What made you choose PoD?

I searched the internet for quite some time before settling on a company / project.  They answered my initial queries very quickly. The testimonials were very positive and the dates of the summer mini-gaps fitted in well with my annual leave.  Many companies offered longer gap year style projects which I could not undertake so the appeal was the short – term mini gaps. Also after contacting PoD I felt confident that their projects were not just aimed at the traditional “gap year” person (i.e. taking a year out before University) and the work that PoD carried out seemed very appealing. They have a good choice of projects – but not so many that the choice is over whelming  which i had found with some other companies I researched.

Can you describe a typical day while you were there?

Up quite early most days then meet fellow volunteers for a spot of breakfast before travelling by pick up truck to the Schools – with our supplies of art / crafts / sports equipment
Meet the teachers and the Thai Children
Divide the students into groups and ensure all the students had as much fun as possible in the different activities – ranged from painting to number games to bracelet making to telling the time.
Lunch – which was always delicious – we were very well fed by the School’s dinner ladies
Afternoon – sports activities such as sack races / egg and spoon / tug of war and on the last afternoon in the School a treasure hunt.
Back to the beach hut bungalow for some relaxing time by the pool / on the beach / lying in a hammock reading
Shower / change / freshen up before heading to dinner with fellow volunteers – lots of restaurants to try
Explore some of the local shops / stock up on water at the supermarket / pop to internet café (which were plentiful) to drop a few e-mails home.
Relaxing beer before bed – although if you had the energy – there were always parties / clubs / Thai boxing matches you could go to.

What did you do in your time off?

Thai Cookery Class – v enjoyable and useful
Snorkelling and a trip to a neighbouring Island
Tour of the Island we were based on
Shopping / Eating and relaxing by the pool / on the beach
I would certainly recommend extending your stay if possible to see some other parts of Thailand either pre or post project.  I had an amazing 2 nights in Bangkok prior to the project. Some of the other volunteers extended their stay to near by other Islands and some were planning on some extended travel around Thailand. For me duty called and I had to come back to the day job – but I would defiantly recommend seeing as much of the country as you can in your time there.

What was the most delicious thing you ate while you were there?

I ate in lots of very nice (and cheap!!) restaurants – however the best food would have to be in the Schools where the projects were running. The dishes were so delicious, so authentic and plentiful (the dinner ladies kept us very well fed) – it would be difficult to pick out 1 dish – all the “school dinners” were lovely and so unlike dinners at home!!! There was not a chip in sight which was excellent – all the ingredients were fresh, fruit was plentiful for desert. I have never tasted such delicious rice and noodles (kao and pad thai) in my life.

What is your favourite travel moment or memory?

From arriving in Bangkok to flying back home I have a whole heap of memories, from the crazy Tuck-Tuck ride in Bangkok to the enormity of the Grand Palace and the excitement on the children’s faces when they saw us arrive at school as well as the enjoyment they were obviously getting from trying their hand at all the activities.
After spending some time with 2 young boys at one school making a “telephone” out of string and paper cups to see how much fun they were having “talking” to each other using only English words was overwhelming and then for them to say to me “thank you English lady we loved that” – was enough to almost bring me to tears!!!

What items wouldn't you travel without?

A good book for the plane / transfer times in airports / train journeys. A pocket phrase book and a travel guide. An open mind and a friendly smile.  Alco-Gel, Insect Repellent and Savlon.

Who was the most inspiring person you met there?

Lots of inspiring people but probably the PoD staff running the project in Thailand – Alex / Jirapan / Erng and Subai –  a wonderful, inspiring, caring, pro-active group of people

What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering abroad?

Don’t hesitate – what have you got to lose? Do your research – decide on where in the world you would like to go (it’s a huge world!!!), decide what you would like to spend your time doing (teaching / conservation / building work – the list is endless – you may want to do something that links in with your job for career enhancement or try something completely new) and go for it – you really will not look back.

What lasting impact has your travel experience had on you?

A huge impact – much more than I thought it ever would. I am much more heavily involved with local charity work than I was before.  I think now I have undertaken this project, anything seems possible – which sounds crazy – but I do feel my confidence has grown and I have a much more positive outlook on life – which can only be a good thing. It has also given me a thirst for more adventure and more travel plans, the desire to see more of the world and the realisation that it is possible. I have also made some great friends on the project who I hope will be friends for many years to come

What took longer to get used to - being there or coming home?

Good question – I was only away for 19 days – so an extended “normal” holiday fortnight but I had packed so much into my time I felt I had been away for so much longer. The excitement building up to the trip was everywhere – friends / family and colleagues all talking about it and I was worried about an anti-climax feel when I returned – but this did not happen – probably because I did not stop talking about my adventures.  On arrival at the project I had a slight “wobble” of “crumbs – what have I let myself in for” – but after talking to some of the other volunteers I was comforted to hear they had similar feelings – so we all supported each other when we were feeling a bit homesick or a bit overwhelmed.

Have you got more travel plans?

This summer I went to USA for 2 weeks which was an amazing adventure around the Grand Canyon and the National Parks.
For summer of 2010 I am looking into another PoD project – in Vietnam – so I definately “have the bug”!!!