These are the days worth living

Teaching young physically challenged women in Thailand and learning from them about courage and strength

By Scott McDonald
October 2004

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Many people around the world wake up every morning expressionless, never smiling and often depressed, as they know in a few short hours they will be at a meaningless job they detest. Four years ago I was one of these people. At work I could not wait for five o'clock to come around so that I could go home. Yet, once at home, I could never fully relax because I was haunted by the fact that in 12 hours I would begin the same routine all over again the next day. I received no gratification within my job and I was far from happy.

It was at this time in my life that I knew I needed a change. However, I could not for the life of me figure out what I wanted to do. Luckily, I had a very supportive family, lots of great friends and a strong faith. After a lot of thought and many prayers I decided to join Scarboro Missions. Four years later I know that I have made the right decision because I wake up every morning with a smile on my face, looking forward to the day ahead. I have been teaching in Thailand at a school for physically challenged young adults for three and a half years and have not stopped smiling since I began this work. I spend the majority of my time with the students at the school and I can honestly say I love it.

Soon after I arrived, the school introduced a new program in response to the needs of its female students. The two-year residence program gives physically challenged young women a new chance at life.

The status of women

In Thailand, the Constitution states that both men and women will be treated equally and receive equal rights. Yet, in reality, these equalities do not exist. Many women in Thai society do not finish high school and some leave school even before they have a chance to complete the elementary grades. The cost of educating a child in Thailand goes beyond the means of income for many families who are struggling to make ends meet. Thus, a family will put a male child through school before a female child. Only if there is enough money left over will a daughter receive an education.

Even if a woman in Thailand is lucky enough to have a good education, likely her wages will be lower than that of a man performing the same job. Other setbacks and forms of mistreatment that women experience include their involvement within the sex trade, which is prominent throughout Southeast Asia.

For physically challenged women in Thai society, there are even further disadvantages and inequalities. My students have shared many stories of treatment that is unpleasant and often inhumane.

The school program responds to this reality, and for these young women, it has been the best thing to happen to them. For me, it has meant that the past three and a half years have been the best years of my life. These women have taught me more than any textbook ever could. Just as I am teaching them, they in turn are educating me and enlightening my life.

I teach six classes a day, each 50 minutes in length. When I wake up in the mornings I am happy to go to work and see their smiling faces. I teach accounting, business, English-speaking skills, reading, writing and comprehension. Another teacher gives them a course in computer skills.

The program is designed to enable the women to get jobs in offices or other business environments. Since the program was introduced, we have had two successful graduation classes and 95 percent of the graduates have found good jobs.

Before coming to the school, many of these young women had never been away from home for any real length of time. Therefore, all of the teachers and staff try to make their stay here as fun as possible. I enjoy taking my classes on outings to the beach or the zoo, or even just for the occasional ice cream. It is a positive reinforcement for them to interact in public with other Thais, proving to themselves that they can do anything they set their minds to. I hope that these strong willed, powerful young women will eventually change some negative views people in Thailand have about the physically challenged.

In teaching and interacting with my students, I have learned so much, and I continue to learn new and wonderful things from them everyday. My life here in Thailand is rewarding and educational, and happier than my day-to-day routine in Canada because every day here is unlike any other I have ever experienced.

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