Group 37

Group 36

Group 35

Group 33 and 34

Here's a mix of groups 33 and 34. From left to right...

ANNA WASOWSKA, Surrey, U.K. - Teaching Monks
VANESSA GERDES, Bielefeld, Germany - Teaching Monks
SORAYA NEUVEL, Grootebroek, Netherlands - Single Mother's Home
CINDY VELDHUIS, Oldenzaal, Netherlands - Single Mother's Home
KEVIN CATON, Maine, USA - Medical Intern
SARAH LEHMAN, New Jersey, USA - Teaching Monks
SHANNON NG, Hawaii, USA - Single Mother's Home
ALLISON CASEY, North Carolina, USA - Elephant Camp
TIFFANY BARKER, Colorado, USA - Medical Intern

Group 32

Group 32 completed orientation today and will be starting their volunteer service tomorrow.

Group 31

Group 31 is found in this picture. Sorry the posting is a little late. I should update this blog thing more often.

Group 30

Group 30 has been our largest orientation group yet. It's kind of hard to see everyone in the photo, so from left to right:

Kylie Adamek, Louisiana, USA - Medical Intern
Chris Williams, Louisiana, USA - Medical Intern
Georgiana Pentas, Louisiana, USA - Medical Intern
Karin Fairgrieve, Maierhoefen, Germany - Teaching Monks
Janneke Ruijgt, Woerden, Netherlands - Care gving at Single Mother's Home
Sophie Pocock, London, UK - Construction at Single Mother's Home
Marieke Hanveld, Deventer, Netherlands - Elephant Camp
Evelien Schruer, Breda, Netherlands - Care giving at Single Mother's Home
Khalid Mohammad Al-Hamad, Kuwait City, Kuwait - Teaching Monks

Group 29

Group 28

Everywhere I go.

Above is a picture of Damian Kozak, a young Dutch man in our Teaching Monks Project. In the photo, he's about to eat a bug! The poem below is about his experiences so far during his travels.

Dedicated to my flip-flops:
“Everywhere I go, you go”
There are so many places we do visit,
no places stay unseen.
A lot of miles we have behind us,
and still so far to go.

The footsteps I am taking,
are different than at home.
I left behind what is beloved,
and also what I fear the most.

But eventually, to travel is never to arrive.

Right here, right now,
I feel unlimited happiness and gratefulness,
for the places where you take me.
I experience great adventures,
and meet a lot of amazing people,
with whom I share my happiness.

This is all because of you.

You never complain,
though you bear a lot of weight.
Always there when I need you,
from the steep mountains till the deep blue coast.

I am not looking for the answers,
to the questions I do have.
You have only known me for a short time,
but you are carrying my honest heart.
Now the love I try to spread is true,
although I regret the people I have harmed.

My time up here is precious,
as I find it hard to leave behind.
More than ever I know I have to carry on,
and face the shadow in my mind.

My friend, thank you for bringing me there,
where I want to be the most.

Your traveling companion,
D.K.

Group 27

Here's Group 27 on their trip to Chiang Mai's largest market with our volunteer coordinators. A rather diverse group in terms of projects. Big numbers for our June/July groups. Good luck guys.

Group 26

Group 26 is here and now on the ground and running. They're a pretty big group, all of Americans, but still as diverse as a group can get. Many different areas, many different experiences, many different projects. Good luck guys.

Group 25

Todd, for some reason, calls group 25 "The Teaching Monk Gurus." It probably has something to do with his corny sense of humor. It may have something to do with all of them serving in the Teaching Monks Project. Well, they've been here for a few weeks already and are doing a great job.

Group 24

Group 23

Marley and Jessica made up Group 23. Both served in the HIV Orphanage Project. Check out the poses on these two!

Group 22

Angie is the only person in group 22. She's been serving in the HIV Orphanage Project for the last couple of weeks. She is in this picture... look carefully.

Orientation Group 21

Alana just finished her service today. She was here in Chiang Mai for 3 weeks. She was a great volunteer to restart the HIV Orphanage Project. Thank you Alana for your volunteer service and good luck.

Orientation Group 20

I believe the four people in Orientation Group 20 make up the most international group so far, coming from three different continents. Most of them have completed their volunteer service at this point. They did a great job and we miss their presence with our volunteer team.

Orientation Group 19

Only Chuck is in Orientation 19. He has completed his service at this point and did a great job. Thanks for serving with us Chuck. We look forward to seeing you next time your in the neighborhood.