Life-changing trip to Thailand
Bryan Copland • Published 23 Sep 2010 09:25
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A MUSSELBURGH headteacher has told of the life-changing trip she and three of her staff took during the summer break to visit Burmese refugees.
Sheila Laing and teachers Hannah Alcock, Alicia MacFarlane and Katherine Macnaughton travelled to the Child Development Centre School on the Thai-Burmese border following a link-up with their school, Campie Primary.
There, the four women taught children - refugees from troubled Burma - about Scottish politics, the Scottish Parliament, democracy, held mock elections, and sang Scottish songs.
Sheila made a month-long visit, while her colleagues stayed for a fortnight.
She told the Courier the visit had “transformed” the lives of the other teachers, though it was her fourth visit to the country, having been involved in a similar project in her previous job in Edinburgh.
Through the Global Schools Partnership, the Thai school is now linked with Campie for at least four years.
It’s hoped the school can welcome a visitor from Thailand in November.
“Burma is run by a military junta,” she explained.
“Two million people have gone across the border and settled in Thailand, and most of them are illegal immigrants.
“The visit was to this Burmese refugees’ school, which is for 1,200 children.
“Five hundred of them are orphans and they’ve been orphaned through war. It was just an amazing experience. I think it really transformed the other teachers’ lives.
“They were overwhelmed at how these people live and how much they dedicate themselves to the children, and to educating the children.”
Campie’s classes have been linked with classes at the Thai school, with children writing to each other.
Sheila added: “The kids in Campie can learn about how other people live who aren’t as privileged as them.They have no concept of living in a country like this and it’s really opened their eyes.”
The teachers completed an internet blog during their visit to Thailand, which can be viewed at www.campie burma.blogspot.com
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