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The Orphan’s Outing

School: Nakhon Sawan School
Date of project: November 2007
Project: to give orphaned children a special day out
Number of students: 40 children from Saengsawan Orphanage accompanied by 10 SET students from Nakhon Sawan School
Cost: 35,000 Baht

“Getting to know the orphans and becoming part of their lives helps our students develop a responsible and loving attitude – and a chance to show how much they care.” Ajahn Dalad, trip organizer

Most anticipated project of the year was an outing to the seaside for 40 children from Saengsawan Orphanage in Nakhon Sawan. Although the November trip was only for a day, the children were unbelievably excited, since none had seen the sea before. It was originally hoped to stay overnight at the beach, but safety considerations and insurance costs made that impractical. The children were accompanied by ten senior SET high school students, SET’s three British volunteer teachers, and adult carers from the orphanage.

The outing was to Bang Saen, on the Eastern Seaboard. Bang Saen isn’t one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches but it’s the closest to Nakhon Sawan. Even so, the 350-kilometer journey took nearly five hours. Although the journey was a long one, that didn’t bother the children at all. Even the ride in the coach was exciting for them, with many new and interesting things to be seen along the way.

Trip organizer Ms Dalad, an English teacher at Nakhon Sawan School and a SET trustee, said afterwards: “The main point of the outing was to have fun at the seaside, but we always try to make these outings educational as well. The Marine Animal Museum is at Bang Saen and the children spent several hours there. They had their own guide to explain about the many sea creatures on display and they were fascinated by all they saw. It was great to see the children enjoying themselves on the beach too. When they first saw the sea, some were open-mouthed in wonder. They were laughing throughout the day, though when we left many were in tears. The trip was good fun for our SET students too. They really enjoyed taking care of the orphans and treated them like their own little brothers and sisters. The orphanage is close to my school and our students often get involved in activities there. Over the years we’ve developed a close bond with the orphanage and with the children. Visiting the orphans and getting to know them helps my students develop a responsible and loving attitude – and a chance to show how much they care.

“In the past we’ve taken the orphans on outings to an elephant training camp, or to see the sights in Bangkok. The children really enjoy those visits but I think the seaside outing has been the mot successful so far, and one that they will remember for many years We all very much hope we can repeat the outing next year.”

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