Sew Resourceful

Sorrrry.  I'm just a sucker for cheesy puns.

Several days ago, Agape purchased a sewing machine thanks to a recent donation.  It cost 4,000 baht (or $130) and will help the children learn a new and very valuable skill.  The children are constantly outgrowing their clothes, so this way they will be able to make their own.  David really hopes that children leave Agape with a handful of vocational skills--such as sewing--that can help them make a living as young adults.  What a great idea!

Trying out the new sewing machine

 

120 Candles

The last several days have been bittersweet for me.  Although San Francisco life has been great (Go Giants!), I've been missing Thailand a lot lately.  Most of my significant and memorable experiences from Thailand involve Agape and the relationships I formed there.  On Saturday, October 27th Agape held a large birthday celebration.  Since the majority of the children residing at Agape do not know their date of birth, David decided to assign a day to celebrate all of the children.  The ability to celebrate together makes the children feel appreciated while also bonding them in a unique way.  I was, of course, invited to join the celebration, but unfortunately I could not travel back to Thailand this time around.  Happy Birthday!

Agape Birthday Celebration 

 0° F at 19, 340 ft.

Okay, so I've never claimed to be a reliable and consistent blogger. (Yikes, it's been nearly two months since my last post).  However, I'm pretty sure I've claimed to be a rock-star mountain climber!  Yeah, that's right.  I successfully made it to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro (just in case you hadn't heard yet).  It was by far one of the most intense physical and mental challenges of my life.  I'm not sure I could have done it without the constant love and encouragement from my Agape family.  Check back soon to find out more about my eight-day climb!  And I promise, I won't keep you waiting another two months...

The children at Agape drew pictures of me climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Already at the Top

Movie night at Agape-- watching a documentary about Mt. Kilimanjaro

During my last visit to Agape, my friend Freddy set up the projector for us to all watch a documentary entitled To the Roof of Africa, so the children could see where I'd be going.  While it made me excited about my climb, it also incited some underlying fear and anxiety.  Would I be physically and mentally strong enough?  Did I have the right equipment?  Who would be in my group?  Most importantly, what if I didn’t make it to the summit?  I would feel as though I was letting everyone at Agape down. 

As David drove me to the bus station the next day, we discussed my upcoming climb.  “The results do not matter.  You have already reached the top of the mountain.  Your trying and heart have put you at the top.” With a positive and insightful mindset like that, I cannot imagine a better role model for these children than David.

So, as I begin my ascent tomorrow, I will keep his words with me.  I’m already at the top. 

The view coming into Kilimanjaro was goose bump-provoking.  Usually you look down  on a mountain from a plane!  It's hard to tell from this angle, but we were actually below the mountain, looking up.

Beautiful Minds

Drawing in the dirt using rocks

Children at Agape don’t have televisions, video games, iPods, laptops, or cameras; most of them don’t even have their own toys.  But they do have something far more precious than any high tech gadget (something that many modern-day children lack)—creative and imaginative minds.  These minds do not require technology to constantly stimulate and entertain.  In turn, the children become active creators and learners, finding joy in their own invented games and activities. 

The children never tire of this jump rope game which requires some pretty serious  athletic skill and agility.   They make their jump ropes by linking small rubber bands together.

Basketball using a human "hoop"

Most importantly, imagination lends itself to the creation of dreams.  One young girl is always choreographing new dance routines for her friends and dreams of becoming a dancer.  Another boy, thirteen, hopes to become a doctor so that one day he can return to his village in Burma and help his family.

Imagination is the beginning of creation.  You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will.

-George Bernard Shaw

On a more personal note, I sometimes find myself a slave to technology—i.e., I have become so reliant on technology as a form of entertainment, that I sometimes feel like I’ve forgotten how to create my own fun!   Spending time with the children at Agape has inspired me to look at how I spend my time and how I’ve let some old hobbies and activities fall by the wayside (look for an upcoming post on making friendship bracelets!) So maybe next time you feel bored and don’t know what to do, take a lesson from the Agape children--stop and think how you can create your own fun, rather than waiting for the fun to come to you. 

Above photos courtesy of Sierra Callow

Class Time

During my first visit at Agape, I had the privilege of teaching several English classes.   In the morning, I  taught in the nursery--48 children, aged 15 months to six-years-old.  One of David's next goals is to create two separate programs within the nursery.  He recognizes that there are currently too many children, of such varying age and ability, for them to learn effectively.  They presently do not have the funding to build a new classroom.  

In the afternoon, I taught Grades 5 & 6.  I have to admit that I was a little nervous about teaching older children again.  My background is in early childhood education, and my only experience teaching anyone over the age of six left me a little shaky.  (Teaching middle school in South Korea was not the greatest confidence builder).  Within seconds, I felt at ease as I had captured the attention of these devoted and eager learners.  At the end of each class, my students stood up, bowed their heads, and recited "Thank you, Teacher," in unison.  It is quite rare for children this age to be so motivated and grateful for their education.  

This school year, the teachers at Agape are using the Burmese government curriculum.  David would like to be able to incorporate a more Western curriculum, but they are lacking resources at the moment. David's hope is to be able to purchase a computer for each teacher.  This will be crucial in helping the teachers develop new curriculum and in furthering their own English studies.  

Photo courtesy of Frederick Gaghauna

Welcome!

Welcome to climbforlove!  Friends and family have been urging me to write a blog ever since I left the U.S. over a year ago.  I've been putting it off until now.  Once I found something that truly inspired me--something more than an ornate Buddhist temple or a sandy, white beach--I began to throw myself into the project.  Agape Orphanage & Learning Center has restored a sense of faith and gratitude in me, and I hope this blog can help do the same for you.  Please take a moment to check out what I've done so far.  Your donations are deeply appreciated!


Karen


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