And we've arrived at Baan Yuu Suk

Dearest Reader,

Sorry for the lapse in communication.

We arrived at Ban Yuu Suk last Monday with approximately five pick up trucks full of luggage and art supplies (okay, one truck). Mickey, COSA's founder, opened this place in October for girls who have experienced or are at risk for trafficking or sexual exploitation. The girls are incredible. Sweet and shy to outgoing and sassy: they run the gamut. The environment is positive, warm and open.

Since arriving, we've managed to unload about half our haul in the process of teaching everything from tie-dye to painting to jazz dance. I've absolutely butchered concepts such as perspective and contrast by reducing them into simple English and then translating that English into incoherent Thai, and accompanying that with dizzyingly confusing dry-erase drawings.

We are so grateful to our friends and family back home who have offered us support. Thanks to you, we were able to bring every girl a set of art supplies complete with pencils, charcoal, acrylic paints, and three canvasses. When I walked outside today after morning dance, I found several girls sitting at a picnic table painting in their free time. I managed to hold back the waterworks. That really freaks kids out.

Here are some pictures. If you'd like to read more about COSA or Baan Yuu Suk, check out the website.

First day of art class:


More art:




Yoga class:


Dance class (photo cred. to Ning):


We took the girls into the city for a day of pizza, bowling, and the mall. I mean, what else could a thirteen-year-old want, right?


Around Baan Yuu Suk

P'Fah whips up some fried rice:


Anna and Chelsea do laundry:


The chickens:


Volunteer Finn works on the organic plots:


I harvested my first coconut from this tree! I even climbed that bamboo ladder:


Trying to enjoy the fruits of my labor. It only took about five people showing me how to do everything for me to finally get it right.


Me and Ning in the kitchen:


Just because. Just because Aying is awesome. The most awesome little child ever:

Seriously, when we were in a book store I told her to pick out a book and she picked out a paper back with little black and white portraits of babies in it. Also, she is nine.

Mickey on his patio:


A group shot:



Thanks so much for your time. See you again soon for the next installment! Until next time, chok dee (good luck)!

Yours,
Rebecca