WE have been working at the centre for three days now. The team has begun creating the 1,000 square metre vegetable patch with bamboo fence and irrigation, helping the centre become more self sufficient.

Local workmen are also building a duck house alongside the pool, one of three ponds where fish are bred for sale and for use in the kitchen.

We gave the solar panels a jolly good clean, so that the water used for showers remains hot. Working in this heat is exhausting and an afternoon nap is a good idea!

We went into the local school yesterday and today. The team led sports activities including parachute games, big ball and races. There was a lot of laughter and the Thai girls drew straws to see who would partner Ethan in the three-legged race. Eight-year-old Ethan, our youngest team member and a pupil at Northleigh, is keeping a video diary to share his experience of life in Thailand.

We also performed a drama for the children where one of the team got drenched with water, causing great hilarity. There were craft activities to compliment the drama and to show the children how special each one of them is.

The children gave their own performance of beautiful Thai dancing to music, telling a story of local culture.

We exchanged gifts, giving out colourful friendship bracelets, made by the team. We were made very welcome and invited back by the headmaster.