My name is Valerie Lopez and I am currently a WorldTeach Thailand volunteer. I am writing to corroborate my Thailand Field Director's letter which affirms the safety of WorldTeach Thailand volunteers in Nakhon Phanom.
First of all, I wanted to reiterate that our program follows a very specific evacuation protocol should our safeties be compromised-- a testament to WorldTeach's commitment to its volunteers. When the initial instances of violence in Bangkok began to ensue, Nell swiftly reminded us of this protocol and outlined an emergency evacuation plan should the need arise. Throughout the national crisis, Nell gave us the latest precautions from the US embassy and news updates from Bangkok.
Bangkok did bear its national turmoil in its own streets. One cannot miss the heartbreaking photographs plastered all over the newspapers around the world. Even The Economist predicted an imminent civil war in Thailand's political horizon. It is then very easy to assume that the dangers in Bangkok are representative of all civilian circumstances in Thailand. However, I (and the other volunteers can attest), that while Bangkok might have been perilous, Nakhon Phanom couldn't have been more different.
I was only aware of the violence in Bangkok through my teachers' snippets of conversation, and ironically enough, through international news sources online. Life here continued to be quite peaceful and the possibilities of danger remained on the fringes. If I had not paid attention to the media at all I would have had no idea of the violent confrontations between the Red Shirts protestors and the government. Here, we are surrounded by an incredible local community full of extremely generous and kind individuals.
I wanted to reach out to all prospective volunteers and their parents who may be dismayed, distraught, and discouraged from committing to the program. More than ever, Thailand needs your help. If anything, the protests, among other factors, arose out of the socio-economic gap between the impoverished communities of Thailand, and the ruling, privileged class. Education can be an incredibly democratizing force. The possible work of future volunteers here, have bearing on the empowering forces of education.
I will be more than happy to answer your questions over email. Please feel free to contact me at valerie.r.lopez@gmail.com.
Sincerely Yours,
Valerie Lopez, WorldTeach Thailand '09
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