First Round: Women at Work

In this series, I am going to interview women with whom I interact consistently--either at work or at home--to highlight their experiences living a life in which I've been sent to participate. 
The interviews are subject to my limited Thai skills and the help of google translate. 

First Round: Pii Oil, Pii A, and Kru La


Kanita Reurapai a.k.a. Pii Oil is my main counterpart at the Subdistrict Administrative Office (SAO) and the first woman I met at site. Peace Corps is in Phrao District because of her. I sit in her office three times a week lesson planning and trying to figure out when the next community event is happening. She is incredibly dedicated, and a mother of two. Always smiling, a bit crazy and weird but that's why we get along.

Elizabeth: Thank you for meeting me today! What did you study in college?
Pii Oil: No problem! I studied public administration.
E: When you were a young student, what did you want to be?
Oil: I wanted to be a nurse
E: why did you change your mind?
Oil: Well I worked in a hospital, then when I graduated I was a nurse's assistant. That was when I was in high school, but then my parents wanted me to be close to home. So I worked at a hospital for about 10 years. I was studying on the weekends, then when I finished I wanted to work somewhere else. I went to study to be a Public Service Officer. Then I came to work at this SAO five years ago. Now I am studying to get my masters degree.
E: Great! What change do you want to see in the community?
Oil: So I work in community development, and I want to see the highland tribe village, children, youth, elders, and others help invest in developing their community. To increase quality of life for them, so I want to help with that. Suppose that some of the elderly people don't have access to medication, I want to help them get the medication they need and I want the SAO to help with that.
E: Now, what do you want to be?
Oil: Now I really don't think I want to change my job! Because I am happy working here. And it is close to home because my family is already here. And I can work with the community so they will all be happy! I am happy here.
E: Okay now what is your daily routine?
Oil: So I wake up at 5:30 every day because I have two children and make them breakfast. At 6 am I wake them up so they can get ready for school. Then at 7 am everyone eats breakfast together then a 7:30 I take my children to school and I come to work. All day I go around either the community or I go up into the highland tribe community to do work then go home at 5pm. I buy dinner and prepare it at home. My children usually help me cook. After, there is time in the evening to play together, or maybe do a little exercise or yoga or bike. Then I'll make sure my children do their homework and help with house work until around 8:30, 9pm.  Then around 9:30pm the kids will sleep and I will relax, read or play on my phone and will fall asleep around 10 or 11pm.
E: Wow, that's late!
Oil: Yeah it is!
E: Okay last question. Who is your biggest life role model?
Oil:  Hmm... There isn't any one person who is my single role model, it depends on whatever stage I'm in either in life or at work. For example when I was a nurse's assistant I really looked up to the doctor. So whomever I thought was a good person I saw as a model. And if I saw someone and thought that they weren't good then I didn't see them as a model. But otherwise there isn't a single, best life role model for me.
E: Yeah so you have quite a few good people you looked up to.
Oil: Correct
E: Thank you!



Dtitdaporn Bupom a.k.a. Pii A  is probably my closest friend at site. She gets my physical sense of humor and is able to find a wonderful way to communicate with me, which is why I appreciate her so much. In addition to working at the SAO, she helps her parents run a convenience store that also delivers drinking water to the community.

Elizabeth: When did you start working at the SAO?
A: I'm not sure.
E: Or how old were you when you started?
A: When I was 31 years old.
E: When did you graduate college?
A: 10 years ago, so when I was 21.
E: What did you study?
A: Tourism and administration. I really like to tour. I like fun!
E: I can tell!
(Both laugh)
E: When you were younger, what did you want to be?
A: I wanted to be a teacher. because when you're a student, you see the teacher every day.
E: When did you change your mind?
A: Late in high school.
E: Now what do you want to be?
A: Now? Oh! What's good to be..
E: I don't know, it's up to you!
A: I want to be "Karachagaan"
E: What does that mean?
A: It's the same same as Pii Oil and same same Pii Ann.
E: So like a community development officer?
A: No.. let's look at the translation app... hold on... okay lets see what "karachagaan" means...so who are you teaching today?
E: I'm teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grade.
A: Hmm... Okay... Karachagaan is a Public Service Officer. Because it is good for us and the family.
E: What change do you want to see in your community?
A: Hmmm... I'm not sure.. ohhh let's see, let's see. I'd like there to be a community, children, and elder education center.
E: Okay great. Last question. Who is your biggest life role model? Someone you look up to?
A: My father and my mother.
E: Why?
A: She is a strong mother, from when I was young, I saw my mom work every day for all the family. the same as my father. He works every day, he doesn't have a day off. He is a good example for the family.
E: Okay that is all!
A: That'll be five Baht.



Pathcanee Chatjaikum a.k.a. Kru La teaches Bpratom 6 (11-12 year olds) bikes tens of kilometers with her husband and daughter on a daily basis. She also leads the scout program at my school. I appreciate her because of her enthusiasm in youth work and participation in facilitating activities with me.

Elizabeth: How long have you taught at this school?
La: I've taught here for 10 years.
E: Why are you a teacher?
La: Because my father was a teacher, and my older sibling is a teacher, so since I was young I wanted to be a teacher. And in reality I love being a teacher, I love teaching the students and playing with them. I wouldn't want to teach anyone else. It would be a different experience. So being here is best. I love being involved in their lives. I am a role model for them. I like showing them things that they may like.
E: So since you were a young child you wanted to be a teacher, correct?
La: Yes!
E: So what did you specialize in at university?
La: I studied early Education. It was two years, then taught Pbhrathom 1, 2, 3, or 6 to 10 year olds.  I also did a little teaching in early High School. Then I went back to complete my studies at university for two more years. Then I became an official teacher. So at nineteen years old, I was a teacher!
E: Oh wow!
La: Yes. 19 years. Then I went and taught at a school up in the mountains. I taught children that live up on the mountain. Ooohhhh! very happy!
E: How was it?
La: I walked to school, in the district of Ompoi, Chiangmai Province. So there I walked to school in order to teach. I was there for one month, then went to another district to teach.
E: Okay. So what would you like to see improve in your community?
La: I would like for everyone to be able to read and write completely in Thai and in English. Once they can do that they can communicate with others. Some people here cannot read and write. Not completely. Some of them come from other villages and cannot, not completely, speak Thai. I'd also like for them to think well and learn well. Like critical thinking.
E: That's very important. So tell me about your family. How many children do you have?
La: I have three children. The oldest is 31, next is 28, and the youngest is 25.
E: And what do they do?
La: The oldest is a teacher, the next is a private contractor, and the youngest is also a teacher. So two of them are teachers.
E: Okay next question is what is your daily schedule?
La: Ohh I wake up at 4am, brush my teeth and such, then at 4:30 am, I do yoga and a little bit of a work out, then at 5am I bike with my husband and youngest daughter. We bike for an hour, then come back home. Shower and get breakfast ready, then go to school. Once I'm here, I teach all day. Six hours of teaching. Every day, it really is a lot, Chompoo! (my Thai nickname) Typically, not everyone  teaches all day but Thai teachers do! It's tiring. Then once I come home I make dinner. Sit and watch TV, do whatever, and take a break.
E: What time do you go to sleep?
La: Around 11pm because if I go to sleep earlier I would wake up at 3am! I only need to sleep a little bit. From 11pm to 4am, I sleep for 5 hours.
E: Is that enough?
La: It is! I don't want to sleep too much. I'm already old! (she's like probably 50) But if I was young like you I would sleep and relax and not want to wake up !
(both laugh)
E: You're right! I do like to sleep and don't always want to wake up!
La: Yeah I'm old!
E: But you do so many activities and work a lot! You're very strong.
La: Right. Right.
E: And then this is the last question. Do you have a role model?
La: Like an idol? That would be my dad. He is a very good role model! He was a teacher and taught well. He is very nice and very good. An elder to look up to. My dad was my idol. I would go learn at school then come home and learn with my dad. I didn't learn in the community alone, my dad taught me at home too.
E: Wow you studied a lot!
La: Yes! My dad was very much my idol.
E: That's great! Okay we are finished. Thank you!