We Need You To Helpful
Posted: under Thailand.
Tags: Thailand
January 11th, 1995
Today I receive a letter from Chaiya. It is straight to the point: send us money now! When I convert the Thai money to dollars, I am shocked. He is asking for $3000 for full scholarships for he and Songkram. It is a full expense report, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, and books for a complete year. I’m sure it took him a long time to do all the calculations.
Not one time in the letter does he ask if I could please send some money to help with school expenses, rather he states it various ways, such as:”We need you to be a patronize,” and “We need you to helpful,” and “So we need you give a scholarship for us.” The whole tone of the letter is so demanding, it sounds so arrogant. I let the letter sit on my messy desk for a few weeks before I answer.
I send a short letter back, saying I will not be their sponsor, because I am not the rich American woman they think I am. When I look at the picture of Songkram in his new glasses, I am pleased that I did make a small direct contribution while I was there.
January 15th, 1995
Today I am finishing my raw notes from my memories of the ten day trip to Thailand, all the while racing time, trying to capture feelings and impressions before the freshness slips away. I put on my “Mr. Mos” cassette tape and am instantly transported back to Chaiya’s village, dancing with smiling junior high school students on the dirt ground. When I gaze up at the clear night sky, the sheer number of stars is overwhelming. The students stare at me staring at the sky, laughing at me enjoying the starry, starry night. 
Tags: Thailand, sponsorship, Mr. Mos
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Apr 23 2008