Raynna Jackson, 134 YinD
As my time in Thailand comes to an end… I wanted to share a few glimmers I will cherish forever. If you aren’t familiar with the term ‘glimmer’, it is the opposite of a ‘trigger’ that is, small experiences of joy that happen during everyday life. My life in Thailand was always unpredictable, whether it was the heat draining my energy, the gigantic spiders greeting me in the bathroom, or the loneliness I didn’t realize I’d feel while sitting at a community event. However, some of my favorite glimmers of Thailand were all the remarkable moments with my students.
In my village, my role was to work with the youth across the subdistrict area of Korrum. Every week, I had to teach at 6 different schools, ages ranging from 8 years to 16 years old. And before you ask… yes, this was a very tiring job and I most certainly had my breakdowns. However, what made this volunteer experience so special was that each school had its personality, and every day I was able to spend time with a different group of kids but receive the same lively energy. A great accomplishment I had was memorizing all 200+ students’ names in the last two years… and not because I was required to but because I knew saying the students’ names while I greeted them meant something to them. I wanted each student to know they are heard, understood, and loved. I would do anything for these kids and it is because they have shown me so much unconditional love that I can’t possibly believe a romantic partner could do any better.
My students have healed me. At the end of 2024, I was experiencing heartbreak… and I was feeling so destroyed by it – to the point where it was difficult to get out of bed. But I knew once I arrived at school, the pain would disappear. Their smiles and the sound of “P’RAYNNA IS HERE!” made me forget all about my heartbreak. I would see 20 kids running up to hug me, saying they were so excited for me to come to school today, even though I come every week. I thought after 2 years of living here their excitement would slowly fade, but no. Now that is real love. Someone who values you for being you. That was the feeling I was trying to find from someone else, when in reality, true genuine love was right in front of me, sitting on the school porch, waiting for me to arrive. My students are my biggest fans (besides my family back home) and they have made my heart grow bigger with each hug I receive from them. My students always made me feel beautiful, brave, and cool (yes even after they watched my silly TikTok videos).
On some days I felt lonely because I did not have many friends in my village who could invite me to join activities or events. The kids would always include me in every activity to the point where they would ask their teachers or parents to help me attend. The most important part about all of this was, that it was never about how great of a teacher I was or what activities I brought to the table, it was about me showing up for them. Their kind souls and warm smiles wanted a reason to go to school. I hold so much gratitude for them.
With all the support and courage my students gave me, we had the best time together. I was able to go on field trips to the ocean and historical museums, dance on stage at community events, and learn how to make their delicious papaya salad. The energy exchange was joyous, to say the least. These kids have awakened my inner child and I am grateful I was able to run around and play silly games with them for the last 2 years. They remind me to not think so much, give lots of hugs, and if I see a spider… don’t worry they’ll come to the rescue! I have so much love in my heart for the youth in my community, that I could write an entire book about every one of them. I may have been their teacher, but I know I was their student too.
Thailand has been a glorious glimmer to experience. I am grateful for everyone I have met along this journey, Korrum is such a wonderful community. While I may be going back to the States, I will never forget anyone and I am sending all my love and support to everyone, especially the youth in Thailand.
Each day was a completely different experience and I wouldn’t take anything back. Especially because the good days, those days were magical. If I could capture every moment from the last two years and create a picture, it would be a glimmering shimmer mess. The good days shining through, and the not-so-good days glowing just enough to remind me that I have lived such a spectacular life in Thailand. สวัสดีคะ (Sa-wa-dee-ka).
ฉันรักดินแดนแห่งรอยยิ้มประเทศไทย
Sticky Rice 
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