Last Week of May

The rainy season hasn’t started yet, the rains have been visiting Nu Po relentlessly. Heavy showers resulting in streams that resemble the wild rivers of the Himalayas, in miniature form. For some people the rains came too early as their roofs had not been fixed yet, at ESC we have little problems with the large roof and the office. As workers are busy else where we have to live with cups and saucers in places where dripping occurs.

A small Tee Lor Su at the KEDC compound.

Flooded area in front of KEDC.

Near TBC building, gushing waters.

After out avocado planting there were 4 totally dry days and this was not good for the plants. No sooner that we started watering, the rains returned and now we hope the trees have not suffered too much.

The second half of May saw the opening of a special Thai class. Student Wanpen was elevated to teacher and as she cannot speak Burmese, the class was open to those students who spoke well enough English to follow Wanpen. Ten students started the course with Ko Ga, Ko Khai.

As Wanpen needed to visit her village we got a substitue Thai Teacher, Khun Kru ‘I forgot his name’.

He continued with the alfabet.

In order to prepare the compound for the rains, yesterday a group of volunteers came and helped clean the compound, fix the path to the school, build a raised bed so Teacher Marco can grow his own food and after a coffee and snack watched the movie “Dirt” about soil and how important that is.

Happy cutting the grass.

U Saw Win was not only in charge, he was working the hardest. A true leader.

Young students building a raised bed.

Collecting leaves and green stuff, not to be burned, but to become Teacher Marco’s food.

First saying the scissors are too heavy, and then unable to quit cutting.

Students from all classes came and help.

The young buidlers got support and advice from an experience elder.

Taking a break.

While having another appointment he helped for half an hour and instructed some young men.

Arriving late she tried to look appologetic.

Great team work, covering the raised bed with earth that came from digging a deeper trench.

The snacks have arrived.

Without Dirt on your hand, no snack.

Peace at ESC and on Earth.

Getting ready to go home.

With dirt under their nails they went home.

Avocado Trees and Two Roofs

Rajoo had sprouted several seeds and temporary planted them. With the rainy season upon us it was time for a replant.

Here are some of the seedling I got out of the soil. The roots had rooted more than I hoped for.

Now just a few seedlings remain.

Some ESC students collecting stuff at KEDC.

Leaving the compound with the loot. (let sweet smiles not fool you)

Some games and note books for ESC, donated by KEDC>

Rajoo lend his tri-push-car.

He explains how to load the truck, how to plant the trees.

While some work in a sweat, others read and rest.

Beautiful flowers, plant gorgeous trees.

Sometimes a rapper, sometimes a farmer, always Mung Buoy.

Two Shed Jackson was a famous artists in the 70’s in England, now we have “Two Roof” Dominique.

This Saturday a group of ESC students planted around 20 Avocado trees around the compound while some other students, with the main work done by Dominique created two small roofs in front of the doors of the office and the teacher room.

No activity without a snack and coffee break

Yes, ESC is a peacful school.

Dominique on the borrowed bamboo ladder

He had to hammer in strange positions, but he perservered.

Ta Yoke looks on, with his never diminishing smile.

Golden San Win created some gutters.

The first roof is done, thanks Dominique!

The First Week

A first week is always full of surprises, students register on the appointed day, and the day after, and the after and the day after and probably a week after. Classes have started and teachers are asked to be lenient and we are.

The second session started so far with 94 students, of which 37 are new. The students come from every section in the camp, and the majority is female.

Students sharing ideas in a brainstorm session…

Writing questions to an undisclosed artist.

Other class, same exercise.

A rapper thinks hard.

Today we also had a small farewell as our teacher Wah Wah Htoo Say is leaving ESC for another future. She was with ESC for almost two years and has been very helpful with setting up the school again in 2017. Her enthusiasm in the classroom will be missed.

And also Tun Hla will focus on other topics. He was the person who started the talks in November to restart the school and he helped clearing the compound and some maintenance of the buildings. Without him ESC might not be the school it is now.