It was another early morning - up at 6. I saw the monks walking down the road, beating their drums as they walked towards the wat. It is customary for the people of the town to give food to the monks in the morning as they walk through town. After you offer them food, they bless you. One morning I will do this.
Today we went to camp 2 – BK. The day started at the Satellite Health Center with a similar discussion as the day before. We then had lunch and waited for the afternoon meeting with the elders who were interested in participating in the project. Like the day before, we asked around the camp for elders who would be interested in teaching their traditional art forms to the youth. There was an announcement on the loud speaker. The attendance was phenomenal. Hundreds of people showed up and when they were asked if they would like to participate in something like this, they started crying - they were so happy to have something that would bring them comfort and remind them of their homeland. Some of the women got up and danced, and the looks on the faces of all who watched were so beautiful. You could see their souls being refueled and nourished. Some of them started crying again. A very overwhelming experience. Next week I am going to meet with the younger refugees to see what it is they would like to learn. When I return in May, I will put the program into action and they will have a community center in each camp where they can hold teaching workshops. It is amazing to see how important community is, something we take for granted back home. Today was a really wonderful and rewarding day; the most positive to date. It was so amazing to look at these refugees, old and young, and see their faces so intensely engaged, I don’t know when the last time was that they actually engaged their mind – and spirit in something.
It has been nice to be away from the stresses of NY – and the impending war. I don’t even want to think about that. Spending time with these refugees, and knowing how much they have suffered by being forced from their homes, makes me sad and angry. And I don’t know with whom I am angry. Or whether I think war is the answer or not.