Teach for pleasure

Thank you travel editor, Khun Pongpet Mekloy, for the school story, “For a good cause”, (Life, March 2), the story of Ban Phu Khem School in Phetchaburi. This is another reason why the Thai government, Ministry of Education and Immigration Bureau should rethink the ban on using volunteer professional expats to teach there. I know many who would jump at the opportunity and teach not for money, but for the sheer enjoyment of it. Doing something for enjoyment and pleasure is worth more than money, and the students would profit greatly.

Many years ago while visiting as a tourist before deciding to live here, I came across a poor school in Phitsanulok. The library was a room with a few magazines left over from when the Japanese army was in Thailand. I returned to Toronto, gathered used, old books from the local school libraries slated for destruction, boxed them and prepared to get them to that school. Postage was astronomical due to the weight of the boxes. Thai Airways refused to help or give it any consideration, while Korean Airlines, with whom I now fly internationally, was happy to help out. The books were flown to Thailand with the proviso that the school sent a pickup to Don Mueang to pick them up on arrival.

I know the books were appreciated because I received letters and pictures from the kids who thanked me. It doesn’t take much to make kids happy. All it takes is a bit of effort and determination. Smiling faces, mouths full of white teeth, a few missing, bright eyes, are enough reward.

JACK GILEAD