GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS - PART 1

When I initially chose my two choice countries to learn about regarding trends and issues, I chose Honduras and Brazil.  I sent emails through the UNICEF website and I have yet to receive a response from a representative in either country.  It was a blessing that I met a young lady, by the name of Cassy.  Cassy has recently moved here from Thailand were she spent the last 5 years teaching children from Pre-K grade levels to 12^th grade.  While in Thailand, Cassy taught English full-time at an educational institution (school).  She also tutored children, those that could afford it, in their homes and another facility, outside of the school setting, in the evenings and on the weekend.  Teacher Cassy has accepted a part-time teacher (with our pre-school age children) position here with us at our FDH.

Teacher Cassy (this is what the students in Thailand called her) has had one of the greatest experiences, in my opinion, that any professional educator could have; which is the opportunity to live and work within two very culturally unique environments.  Although teacher Cassy and I have not had a lot of opportunities to converse on a more professional level; we have been able to share moments that allow us to discuss some differences between the cultural experiences.  One of the more recent issues and trends that we discussed was that of poverty and its’ effect on children and youth.  According to teacher Cassy, families in Thailand are either rich or they are poor.  There is a middle class; but they are not as prevalent as the others.

Families are easily distinguishable by their living conditions, the color of their skin, and their means of transportation.  Families that were considered to be rich or wealthier, live in houses with flooring, and their children dress much nicer than the other children.  The more elite family groups’, start spending money on expensive products that will whiten their (and their children’s) skin at an early age.  The children that come from wealthier families also have access to motor bikes with helmets.  Some of the poorer children also have motor bikes but they typically aren’t as nice.  The less fortunate children with bicycles and motor bikes have to ride their siblings (sometimes 3 to 4 passengers) on a bike.  Teacher Cassy shared a video of 5 siblings on a motor bike without helmets (The Durian,).

Thus far, issues of poverty appear to be as damaging to the children in Thailand as they are here in the US.  I think that children that live in poverty are placed in much more danger, involuntarily, than other children.  The worst part is that our communities do not acknowledge the danger; it appears to be acceptable

Reference:

The Durian, The best Thailand related content on the web.  Retrieved by:                

http://thedurian.co/5- kids-on-a-bike-pulled-over-by-the-cops-youll-never-guess-what-for