Friends For Asia

Group 61

2010-10-19T03:58:00.001-07:00

Group 60

2010-10-19T03:55:00.000-07:00

Group 59

2010-10-19T03:54:00.001-07:00

Group 58

2010-10-19T03:53:00.001-07:00

Group 57

2010-10-19T03:48:00.000-07:00

Group 56

2010-10-19T03:46:00.001-07:00

Group 55

2010-08-04T03:14:00.001-07:00

Group 54

2010-08-04T03:12:00.001-07:00

Group 53

2010-07-03T20:03:00.001-07:00

Here is Group 53, from left to right:

Nicole Wilson, New Mexico, USA - Medical Intern
Danielle Marasigan, Washington, USA - Teaching Monks
Brenda Hwang, Ontario, Canada - Medical Intern
Rebekah Shaw, Georgia, USA - Medical Intern

Group 52

2010-07-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

Here's Group 52, from left to right:

Travis Jones, California, USA - Elephant Camp
Ellen Anderson, California, USA - Teaching Monks
Brody Jones, Colorado, USA - Medical Intern
Christopher Thomas, Arizona, USA - Teaching Monks
Elliot Marks, Connecticut, USA - Medical Intern
Alice Hoffmann, Salzwedel, Germany - Elephant Camp

Group 51

2010-07-03T19:40:00.001-07:00

Here's Group 51. A little hard to see, so from left to right-

First row:
Nadine Kerroua, Massluis, the Netherlands - Teaching Monks
Janki Ghodasara, North Carolina, USA - Medical Intern
Lea Visser, Franeker, Germany - Elephant Camp

Second Row:
Katan Patel, Texas, USA - Teaching Monks
Anjana Gupta, California, USA - Teaching Monks
Rupal Ray, North Carolina, USA - Teaching Monks
Sunny Cai, Indiana, USA - Medical Intern
Brooke Kerr, Ontario, Canada - Magazine and Multi-Media Intern

GROUP 50

2010-05-13T02:00:00.001-07:00

GROUP 50

GROUP 49

2010-05-13T01:59:00.001-07:00

GROUP 49

GROUP 48

2010-05-13T01:56:00.000-07:00

GROUP 48

Group 47

2010-03-31T02:55:00.001-07:00

Vongtawan is the only person in Group 47. He's quite a special participant, as he's our first ever Thai volunteer or intern.

Group 46

2010-03-31T02:52:00.001-07:00

This is group 46. They were a great group. Four of these ladies participated in our newest project, our Children's Home Project.

Group 45

2010-02-20T02:58:00.000-08:00

Here's Group 45. Two Ele Campers in this group.

Group 44

2010-02-20T02:49:00.001-08:00

Here's Orientation Group 44. They've been here for a while. Some have already completed their service. Maybe somebody's a little slow on posting things around here? It's a big group, seven people of five different nationalities. Here's a list of the members of this group, as it's a little hard to read:

Tatjana Reeh, Frankfurt, Germany - Teaching Monks
Amira Beyer, Frankfurt, Germany - Teaching Monks
Rei Ohashi, Castlecrag, Australia - Teaching Monks
Maria Mlynarcikova, Batislava, Slovakia - Teaching Monks
Maria Hess, Montreux, Switzerland - Elephant Camp
Ben Randall, California, USA - Teaching Monks
Erik Anderson, California, USA - Medical Intern

Group 43

2010-02-04T03:03:00.000-08:00

Here is group 43. Lauren and Brent have been here for a while. Brent is only our second participant to partake in three different projects!

Group 42

2010-01-07T03:59:00.000-08:00

Group 42 arrived only a couple of days ago and completed our mini-orientation.

Group 41

2010-01-07T03:57:00.001-08:00

May I present... Group 41; our first group of 2010. The picture here was taken in the living room of the Friends For Asia House. Good luck with your projects!

2009 in Review

2010-01-02T19:04:00.001-08:00

2009 was a great year for us here in Chiang Mai! We had a total of 99 volunteers and interns from a total of 12 different nationalities throughout the year. The Teaching Monks Volunteer Project was the most popular, but followed closely by the Elephant Camp and Single Mother's Home Projects.

Pictured in this posting is me in front of our Friends For Asia House. We had the interior of the house painted in October and it has really brightened the place up. We look forward to 2010, as it is already shaping up to be another great year!

-Todd Cikraji
Director
Friends For Asia

Group 40

2010-01-02T19:03:00.001-08:00

Group 40!

Group 39

2009-12-18T02:45:00.000-08:00

Here is Group 39!

Group 38

2009-11-24T03:18:00.000-08:00

Group 38 arrived a little over a week ago. This group, has two doctors in it. Diana is a doctor of veterinary medicine and Sophia is a medical doctor.

Group 37

2009-11-03T03:40:00.000-08:00

Group 36

2009-11-03T03:39:00.002-08:00

2009-11-03T03:39:00.001-08:00

Group 35

2009-11-03T03:37:00.000-08:00

Group 33 and 34

2009-09-27T04:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-16T08:04:00.001-07:00

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

Group 31

2009-08-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

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

Group 30

2009-07-26T04:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

Group 28

2009-07-08T05:00:00.001-07:00

Everywhere I go.

2009-06-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-02T08:42:00.001-07:00

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

2009-06-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

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 23

2009-05-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

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

Group 22

2009-04-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-02T05:57:00.001-07:00

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

2009-03-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

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.

Orientation Group 18

2009-02-14T23:38:00.001-08:00

This is Orientation Group 18. Denise is our first volunteer to serve in three different projects! She'll be serving in the Teaching Monks, Animal Sanctuary and Elephant Park Volunteer Projects, each for two weeks.

Orientation Group 17

2009-01-23T21:11:00.001-08:00

Orientation Group 16

2009-01-23T21:05:00.001-08:00

Orientation Group 15 and End of the Year Summary

2008-12-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of Orientation Group 15. Eline is the only volunteer in this orientation group. She's been here for a couple of weeks already and is doing a great job!
In 2008 we had a total of 35 volunteers from five different countries. We have quite a few volunteers signed up for 2009 and have just added a couple of new projects (The HIV Orphanage Project and International Univeristy for Monks). We look forward to 2009 and the arrival of more dedicated, hard working volunteers interested in the development of the northern Thailand. Happy New Year!

-Todd

Early December in Chiang Mai

2008-12-07T03:34:00.000-08:00

It's a cool, early, December evening here in Chiang Mai. A lot has occurred in the past few weeks. There were a lot of protests against the government recently. Those protests and demonstrations are now over. All parties seem to be pleased with the outcome of things and life has returned back to normal. Although Thailand made some big headlines in the past few weeks with the protests and such, very few people were hurt in the demonstrations. When the protesters left the airports, the clean-up crews went in and found that the airports were clean and not damaged. It took only a few hours for airport staff to get the airport in condition to start receiving flights again. I suppose these large scale demonstrations, that ended so peacefully and with so little damage is a testament to the Thai philosophy on life.

Another big event for us here in Chiang Mai, was that Mike Ambroselli completed his volunteer service last week. This is a big mile maker for us, as Mike was our first volunteer to complete the longest amount of service we offer (6 full months)! Mike was in the Teaching Monks Project and did an amazing amount while here in Chiang Mai. We will truly miss Mike's presence in the living room of the Volunteer House, watching the Sopranos. You can view Mike's testimonial on our "Volunteer Stories" page of our website. Good Luck Mike!

-Todd

Orientation Group 14

2008-11-24T05:55:00.001-08:00

Judy is the only volunteer in group 14. She's serving in the Caregiving at the Single Mother's Home Volunteer Project. Good luck with your service Judy.

Orientation Group 13

2008-11-08T01:54:00.001-08:00

Only one person in Orientation Group 13. Here's Line with some of her new friends. Line is our frist Danish volunteer.

The Friends For Asia Volunteer House

2008-10-20T09:40:00.001-07:00

Here's a photo of our Friends For Asia Volunteer House. It has four large bedrooms upstairs, orientation/meeting space offices and dinning areas for volunteers. Stop by and visit if you're in the neighborhood. Bird, the Volunteer Coordinator, and I would love to show you around.

-Todd

Elephant Park Coffee Corner

2008-10-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

On their first day of volunteer service, Jayme, Jennifer, Roos and Elise were welcomed to the brand new Coffee Corner, made especially for our volunteers at our Elephant Park Project.

-Todd

Orientation Group 12

2008-10-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

Orientation Group 12 has been our largest orientation group so far. Today is their first day of volunteer service. Good luck to Orientation Group 12!

-Todd

Orientation Group 11

2008-10-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is Orientation Group 11. They've been serving for a couple weeks now. Sam, Karol and Brittany are doing some great work!

-Todd

Orientation Group 10

2008-09-14T01:55:00.000-07:00

Chris, Alicia and Suzanne are the volunteers that make up Orientation Group 10. We just completed their 2-day Pre-Service Orientation this afternoon and they begin their service tomorrow.

-Todd

Orientation Group 9 Photo

2008-08-30T20:08:00.001-07:00

Orientation Group 9

2008-08-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Orientation Group 9 arrived only a month ago and was only two people. Both Jade and Audrey, strangely enough, are from Washington, but didn't know each other before their service. They both did some really great work at the HIV Orphanage and Elephant Park. Both Audrey and Jade headed back home in the last week. Good luck guys.

-Todd

2008-08-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

Orientation Group 8

2008-08-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

Orientation Group 8 was a couple months ago. They were a great group! Teresa headed back home a few weeks ago. Tim and Lauren just headed off in the last few days. All of them did some reat work here in Chiang Mai. Good luck guys!

Cooking Time

2008-07-06T01:45:00.000-07:00

Currently we have six volunteers staying here in the volunteer house. Last night we had a bit of a dinner party, where my fiancé Ben (her full name is Benjamas – which means Chrysanthemum in Thai), drafted a few of the volunteers to help with cooking a four course Thai meal, consisting of steamed fish, a red curry, a Thai style soup with tofu and pork and an omellette, served over steamed rice. It was excellent. My part in the event was buying some Thai beer for everyone and then, of course, washing all the dishes.

-Todd

A Sunny Sunday Afternoon

2008-06-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

We finished our two day orientation with Amy on Sunday morning. It was hot and sunny and for that reason, everyone wanted to go to the pool. Tracy came back from working with one of the Buddhist monks on helping him with some of his grammar questions around 11:30. We did some shopping and Tracy and Nan (the volunteer coordinator) fixed up a late Thai food lunch, with a green curry and a pork and vegetable stir fried dish. Tracy had just completed her cooking course on Saturday and I wanted to test her abilities. She did a great job!

-Todd

It's Raining

2008-06-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

The rainy season has arrived a bit earlier than usual in Chiang Mai. The mountains are green, the rice paddies are lush and everywhere seems very full of life.