My wonderful 6 months in Thailand with the Pattaya Orphanage

I was 16 at the time, however in order to qualify for the German volunteer program I needed to be 18 years old to participate, so it was long two years wait.  However this did not dampen my enthusiasm and I kept my eyes on the goal of eventually going to Thailand.
 
When it finally came time to say goodbye to my family and friends it was harder than I expected. I am deaf, so had been living in a family with sign language as the main communication instrument.  On arriving in Thailand  I was now expected to stand on my own feet in a foreign country. Initially I found living in Pattaya was somewhat of a cultural shock, but I quickly adapted to all the differences; from  the climate, the food and the local culture.
 
From the very beginning I was delighted to be included in many activities.  We celebrated the 40^th Anniversary of the Pattaya Orphanage, the Children’s and Teacher’s Day and we went to the Zoo with the kids from the Sotpattana School for Deaf Children. All these new experiences ensured my homesickness was soon forgotten.
 
I am the first deaf volunteer sent by The Human Help Network, an organisation who work tirelessly with the Sotpattana School for Deaf Children. I really enjoy playing and working with the children and I try my best to teach them a little during my brief stay with them.
 
The other German volunteers working for Human Help Network are supporting me and help me get to become accustomed to a  new culture. I am looking forward to the coming five months that I will spend here .
 
I’m really thankful that The Human Help Network made this once in a life time experience possible and I am truly grateful for an opportunity to have such a wonderful experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.