A Small School in the Vast Field

After descending from Wat Khao Phra Angkhan, we continued our journey to "The Little School in the Wide Field" of Kru Li, which is also located in the permanent village and not far away. When we arrived, we only saw a small earthen house and another shed, making us unsure if we had actually come the right way.

Upon parking and inquiring, it was confirmed that they had arrived at the correct location. Teacher Lee and the children were learning in the middle of a rice field. In addition to local children, there were also groups of children from other schools who had traveled there with the support of various companies and businesses to learn at this small school in the vast field.

"A Small School in the Vast Field"

This school was founded by Mr. Pichai Uiheng, a 40-year-old farmer from Ban Thawan, also known as Kru Li. The school's mission is to preserve the traditional way of life and the beauty of the countryside, which are rapidly disappearing due to the fast-paced changes in society, particularly the increasing accessibility of technology. Kru Li is concerned about the impact of these changes on young people.

Moreover, they aim to find ways to encourage children to return to and appreciate the beauty of rural life, preventing its disappearance. They aspire to play a role in instilling in children a love for their cultural heritage through music education, which is offered free of charge. Additionally, children who participate in music lessons also learn about farming and experience rural life amidst the scenic rice fields.

Teacher Lee explains the principles and rationale behind the establishment of a small school in the open field.

Children and Vetiver Planting Activities

"A Small School in the Vast Field" is located in Ban Thawan, Thawan Subdistrict, Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Buriram Province. Since February 2016, a hut at the end of the village has been transformed into a school that offers free music lessons to local children every evening. This has become a daily routine for the children. The 3-rai plot of land, inherited from their mother, has been converted into a "Khok Nong Na" model farm. Kru Li, with over 20 years of experience in playing music and singing, has been sharing his knowledge with interested children.

Working hands-on and teaching closely.

In addition to learning about traditional lifestyles and immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the rice fields, the children are also exposed to music as a means of fostering their artistic sensibilities and nurturing their spirits. Notably, there are no fees associated with attending this school. The musical instruments used are ingeniously crafted from recycled materials or readily available local resources.

Children who come in groups to learn about the way of life in the fields.

Over the past two years, more than 500 children from across the country have expressed interest in attending the school. However, due to limitations in facilities, the school is unable to accept new students. The teachers, children, and staff of the Tung Kwang School will be holding street performances to raise funds for the development of the school, so that new students can join them in exploring the vast fields. The journey of Kru Li and the small school in the vast fields continues as long as there are those who support them and see the value of rural life.

A small school in a vast field

Simple happiness through sharing

An earthen house and a shed-like structure of a small school in a vast field.

Various vegetables planted by children for use in the school.

Each person will own a plot and start taking care of it and growing crops until they can be eaten.

Seeds are stored in the fields and rice paddies.

Children gather around, playing music for their elder sibling to listen to.

Beautiful and enjoyable

Teacher Lily's students are not only skilled musicians, but also talented vegetable growers. Each student is responsible for planting and caring for their own vegetables, which, as Teacher Lily says, is like their own application form.

Before leaving, she shared some radish seeds with us, saying, "I don't know if they will grow, but you can try planting them."

Vegetable conversion

Earthen house components, canteen, and shelter from the sun and rain

I chuckled as I accepted the kohlrabi seeds, expressing my gratitude for her generosity. I pondered the limited space I had to plant them in Bangkok, a seemingly inhospitable environment for their growth. Nevertheless, I resolved to give it a shot.

The party must come to an end. We said goodbye to the children and Teacher Lee, and set off for our accommodation in the late afternoon, with the dust from the roadside quarry billowing in the air as we made our way back to the city.

Stone mill

---

Related Topics:

Review...Nang Rong Budget & Boutique Hotel (Nang Rong Hotel)

A temple without origin... Prasat Muang Tam

A ceremony to pay homage to the deities of "Prasat Muang Tam" ("The Low City Castle"), a legendary creation… The River of Life, The Musical, at the "Buriram Community Market".

Wana Rung (Phanom Rung) Vilai ...... The Divine Palace of Mount Kailash

Local Identity Fabric.....Volcanic Soil Dyed Cotton "Phu Akane Fabric"

Worshiping the Ashes of the God of Fire on a Volcano: Visiting the Thousand-Year-Old Stele at Wat Khao Phra Angkhan, Buriram

A Small School in the Vast Field ..... Brightness in the Vast Field with Kru Li at Ban Thawan, Buriram

"Market" is crowded and bustling ..... Nangrong Baan Aeng, Buriram

Review of Phanomrung Puri Hotel

Visiting Temples in Nang Rong, Buriram: Wat Khun Kong, Wat Rong Man Thet, and Wat Klang

This sentence describes a visit to three temples in Nang Rong, Buriram: Wat Khun Kong, Wat Rong Man Thet, and Wat Klang. The link provided leads to a blog post in Thai about this experience.

Buddhist Sila Monastery "Phu Man Fa", Chamni District, Buriram

---

The provided text is simply an empty paragraph with a line break. There is nothing to translate.

Is there anything else I can help you with?