Making New Furry (and Not So Furry) Friends

On a quite Monday night, after a long break, Thai Freedom House was 

bustling with happy children, chatty teens, and excited adults all ready to be back. 

As the stream of people trickling in began to slow, a circle was made in the

middle of Free Bird Café and the sounds of “Chilli Chilli” filled the room. 

 

     Once introductions had been made and the activity explained students dived into the mess of yarn we’d brought and with smiles, laughter, or diligent concentration began constructing a unique collection of yarn that would soon turn into a pom-pom.

    Many of the students that come to Thai Freedom House have been forced to leave their homes in search of a stable life. A large percentage of the students are Burmese refugees or displaced indigenous youth from Hill Tribes. Yet their unstable living situations don’t stop them from smiling, making new friendships, and creating successful lives for themselves.

 

Gong, one student, came back to visit the school after becoming a successful Shan musician. Now able to support himself and following a successful career in what he loves, he still had time to return to Thai Freedom house and make pom-poms with his old (and new) friends.

Each student has an amazing skill level and ‘can do’ attitude that would brighten anyone’s day. Despite what they’ve been through, every Monday night, Thai Freedom House is filled with returning and new students who are ready to relax and enjoy the peace (and laughter) that art brings.