Learn2Give in the News!!

Couple helps children learn English

By CAROL SOUTH
Special to the Record-Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY -- "Farang" and loving it.

Kathryn and Frank Lepera returned home in early March from a month in Thailand, where they relished being "farang" -- foreigners -- while teaching school children English. The couple, who settled in Traverse City after their marriage two years ago, had previously traveled to Europe and Greece but never to Asia. For almost two years, they had been considering a trip to Thailand that included teaching English -- their own way of giving back. They were determined to be more than mere tourists by immersing themselves in a culture and connecting with the people

Jackelyn Alvarado, 26, USA

I had the amazing opportunity of being able to spend one week living with a Thai family and volunteering at a school in the Warincharamp district of Ubon Ratchathani. I have always wanted to travel to Thailand and have had a huge interest in Thai culture. I knew that the best way to experience true Thai culture would be to live with a family there while volunteering, and was excited for the opportunity.

Upon my arrival to the Ubon airport, I was greeted by Aom and It. Immediately I felt welcome and comfortable with both of them. They took me to It’s house, where we sat down to enjoy a delicious Thai meal. Aom and I talked about what would be happening in the week and she also taught me my first Thai words. It and Aom also gave me my Thai name on my first day, “Gaawta,” – meaning one’s beloved. They told me that the direct translation actually means cornea – which is the most important part to people’s eyes. If a Thai daughter receives this name, it means that