Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Visa APPROVED!
Say Hei's visa has been approved. This amazing news came this afternoon. However, none of the other 5 people who were coming over, including Dr Cynthia Maung, have had their visa applications for UK turned down. Say Hei is frightened to travel alone so, I understand, she is waiting until the others re-apply before coming over. She's able to come as soon as it suits now though. A huge thank you to Fiona O'Donnell, East Lothian MP for her support. :)
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Run for Burma
Today about 18 staff from Campie, Forthview and Pirniehall ran for Burma in Inverleith Park, Edinburgh. Some of the money we raised went to Partners UK. Campie's money is going to the CDC boarding houses. Well done, everyone.Friday, 8 October 2010
Say Hei's 2nd visa attempt....
Say Hei went to Bangkok almost 2 weeks ago to apply for a second time for a UK visa so she can visit Campie in November 2010. We've just heard the application is ready to be collected but we don't know if the visa has been granted or denied. Louise Laing is going to go to Bangkok on Sunday to collect the visa on Monday. Fingers and everything else crossed!
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Say Hei applies for UK visa again
Tonight, as I write, Say Hei is travelling on another minibus from Mae Sot to Bangkok to apply for a UK visa for the second time. We have prepared stronger evidence to support her application from both schools. Our MP, Fiona O' Donnell, has given her support once more, as have the Thai Ministry of Education. You can see Say Hei and one of her daughters and her adopted son here in this photo with my daughter Louise and I.
So I'm hoping and praying that she has a safe journey as I know she'll be feeling nervous and that this application for a UK visa will be successful. If it is, Say Hei will be coming to Campie School at the end of October 2010 for a few weeks. Let's all hope .......
Sheila Laing
Sunday, 26 September 2010
CDC and Campie in the paper...
Hannah Alcock wrote to the local press about the link between our Scottish school and the Burmese school. Read about the article in the East Lothian Courier here....
Monday, 16 August 2010
Campie staff learn more about Burma
Summer is over in Scotland - well, the staff all returned from their holidays for 3 In Service training days at Campie.
This morning Katherine Macnaughton and Alicia Macfarlane led Campie staff in learning about CDC School and about the lives of the Burmese and Karen students and staff. They began by putting 6 photos from their visit to Mae Sot on 7 tables and the staff had to go around and record their impressions of the photos. This was cleverly based on a session SCOTDEC ran at Campie earlier this year, where they used photos to challenge stereotypes. And what were the staff saying about the photos?
'The children look so happy and well cared for.'
'I can't believe the clinic has so many landmine victims and they are all so young.'
'Is that school milk they're drinking?'
'What are they selling ice cream in school for?'
'Such cute children.'
'The nursery has pictures on the walls but the school is so bare.'
'64 Burmese schools in Mae Sot? I thought CDC was the only one!'
Each table then read a CDC child's story of how they came to be in Thailand from Burma, which provoked strong feelings of awe at the resilience of the Burmese people but concern at the danger they live in on the Border.
Finally, we thought about learning projects that Campie and CDC could embark on together in our Global Schools Partnership. We'll share them with Say Hei if she ever gets a UK visa!
A brilliant learning session with everyone involved, asking questions and impressed with how much Alicia and Katherine have learned in such a short time. Thank you Alicia and Katherine - and Hannah who planned the session with them but has now moved to work at Wallyford Primary School.
This morning Katherine Macnaughton and Alicia Macfarlane led Campie staff in learning about CDC School and about the lives of the Burmese and Karen students and staff. They began by putting 6 photos from their visit to Mae Sot on 7 tables and the staff had to go around and record their impressions of the photos. This was cleverly based on a session SCOTDEC ran at Campie earlier this year, where they used photos to challenge stereotypes. And what were the staff saying about the photos?
'The children look so happy and well cared for.''I can't believe the clinic has so many landmine victims and they are all so young.'
'Is that school milk they're drinking?'
'What are they selling ice cream in school for?'
'Such cute children.'
'The nursery has pictures on the walls but the school is so bare.'
'64 Burmese schools in Mae Sot? I thought CDC was the only one!'
Each table then read a CDC child's story of how they came to be in Thailand from Burma, which provoked strong feelings of awe at the resilience of the Burmese people but concern at the danger they live in on the Border.
Finally, we thought about learning projects that Campie and CDC could embark on together in our Global Schools Partnership. We'll share them with Say Hei if she ever gets a UK visa!
A brilliant learning session with everyone involved, asking questions and impressed with how much Alicia and Katherine have learned in such a short time. Thank you Alicia and Katherine - and Hannah who planned the session with them but has now moved to work at Wallyford Primary School.
Friday, 13 August 2010
VISAS REJECTED BY UK IMMIGRATION
We have all been shocked and disappointed today because the 3 visas to come to UK were all REJECTED by UK Immigration. The teachers has misunderstood the text that said the passports could be collected to mean the visas had been approved. So our last blog posting was wrong.
The teachers are very distressed and upset. At this moment, Friday at 11am UK time, Dr Cynthia has called a meeting to discuss the way forward for the Burma:Scotland Global School Partnerships.
This is dreadful news. Watch this space, we'll keep you posted.....
The teachers are very distressed and upset. At this moment, Friday at 11am UK time, Dr Cynthia has called a meeting to discuss the way forward for the Burma:Scotland Global School Partnerships.
This is dreadful news. Watch this space, we'll keep you posted.....
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