Summer Breaks

Today is the last day for my official working at the college. This is the summer breaks for all teachers here. We will have a break for a month.

We spend summer breaks in many ways. Some of my friends stay at home and relax, some keep working, and some plan to take many trips.

For me I hope to spend more time with the IDPs project. We are preparing medias on Internal Displacement. We hope that to communicate more with the public , there will be more awareness on the IDPs issue.

Summer break is also the time to review what I have done in the past and what should be done next. As today is passing by and tomorrow is coming. Lessons and experiences learnt from today is valuable for tomorrow. This summer will also pass by and the next summer will bring new things. Life is an endless learning process and summer break is a part of it.

Summer Rain

It rained in Chiangrai yesterday evening. Today everything becomes fresh and lively again after the dim weather. The trees and flowers in my little garden, the singing birds, and the blue sky make today a nice day.

My farmer friends should also be happy with the rain . They are growing rice, bean, and some fruits. They have complained a lot about the drought. Even one raining can not bring back all things, but it is better than no raining.

Summer always be the most joyful season when I was young. It was the time to play with friends , no class and no homework. I spent everyday wandering around the jungles near my village, picking up the abundant local fruits, playing seek and hide game, and swimming in a small canal with my gang.

Summer in these days may not be as joyful as in the younger days. However we have to enjoy it and past all the difficulties so that we can greet the next summer again !

Summer Forests

It is now summer in Chiangrai. It becomes warmer, hot and then hotter. During my travelling to Chiangkong District, I see the summer forests along the way. Look like paintings of some famous artists. The natural colours of red, brown, white, pink, blue, purple,yellow and orange decorate the hilly areas. Such a beautiful scenery !

This really reminds me of the IDPs villages, especially the Lahu village at Huai Wad, and the Lisu village of Huai Ja Kan. Though I have not been to the villages for several months, I can imagine how hard they live their lives under the summer forests. The very hot and dry places, lack of water and poor soil condition. How many people may know that such beautiful summer forests are very crucial for the survival of the IDPs.

How to cope up with the problems ? Some said that the IDPs have to be self relianced before asking for helps. For me this is such a romantic term. The basic needs of the IDPs have to be fullfilled before they can be self relianced. Hope they can survive from the crucial summer forests and then enjoy the greeting of rainy forests some days soon !