The first 10

The school/living & cooking quarters are in a wooden house, complete with visiting cats, dogs, chickens, and roosters.   They have whiteboards, a digital projector, electricity and lots of extension cords.   We sat on the floor for the most part, and on plastic chairs to run the projector.  This is also where we ate lunch.

BeeJai and Tanai  (that's Teacher Allison in the background)

Aie Lyah Chan and Krak

Jaw Sajin and Pone Han

Sou Jae and Lewi Chan

Chan and Poine

Our students are ages 19 to 22  and VERY talkative;  this is a plus for us!

Beejai was our techie, setting up the projector every morning, while Tanai told him what to do.




Krak didn't say much, but Aie Lyah made up for his silence!


They are finishing a 2 year course in English, social studies, life skills (resume writing and job interviewing) and will soon return to Mon State where they must each teach for 2 years.  Because they have lived, worked, and studied together for an extended period of time, they work and play like a big family.

Jaw Sajin never saw a photo she didn't want to take!  We'd ask for 3 she'd come back with 6.  Pone Han wanted to know everything... lots of good questions.  Pone Han was a chatty cathy and, in very good English.  She managed to take some great photos too!  While Poine quietly produced some stunning shots.

Sou Jae was also on the quiet side but she really listened and 'got' what we were trying to convey.  Lewi Chan may not have understood everything but he more than made up for it in his eagerness to complete the work.





Chan was a chatty cathy; in very good English.  She managed to take some great photos too!  While Poine quietly produced some stunning shots.

Once again,  they will share cameras:  one camera, two photographers.  We start off with the usual:
Use the wrist strap, don't get the camera wet, don't point it at the sun, put it in its case when not in use, blah, blah, blah.
Their first assignment is to take 3 photos of their team-mate from 3 different points of view.

They took pictures, we downloaded them, everyone looked at all the photos and everyone talked about the images;  and did they ever talk!  At times, Nat and I just looked at each other and said, 'Who's in charge here?' 
In their eagerness to get the shot, students sometimes tend to jam down the shutter button, causing camera movement and a chorus of ten shouting; 'Teacher, it's SOFT!' 

Poine  photo:  Chan

Hands  photo:  Tanai

Krak  photo:Aie Lyah Chan