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"I want to work interna- tionally once I finish tmiver- sity," explained Darling. who will be attending Wil- frid Laurier University in September. Darling, a recent gradu- ate of Bluevale collegiate institute in Waterloo. took part in the Global Education program. an organization that offers co-np place, ments to high school and university students. Inspired by a poster on the walls of her school in early 2001, it didn't her take long to make the decisior.. magine travelling Iii?,')?,), around the world to get to school. Sound unlikely? Not for local student Tamara Dar- ling. For five months earlier this year, Darling. along with four other students from southern Ontario. left the frigid Canadian winter behind and traversed time zones and the Pacific Ocean to live and work in Thailand. Tamara Darling goes fishing with some of her students while on a co-op placement in Thailand, as part of a global program. Local woman spends five months in Thailand An enriching experience' Be Mam Imam-In For The Chronicle After a year of complet- ing the necessary fimd-rais- ing, which involved contact- ing more than 40 local ser- vice clubs and requesting their sponsorship, Darling was ready to begin her jour- may, Upon her arrival in Thai- land's northern province of Chiang Rai in early Febru- ary, Darling immediately Darling figured that tak- ing part in the co-op place- ment would allow her to gain valuable travel experi- ence, while at the same time earning credits toward her high school diploma. She has been accepted. appropriately enough, into thefao)?al Sfudiesrprogram. Ut was hot, and I love hot weather." -. Tamara Darling t It-op student in the Global Education Program LIFESTYLE Students who take part in the Global Education program are offered place- ments in a number of differ- ent fields, allowing them to work in an area that corre- sponds to their school pro- gram in Canada. Darling "My host father spoke English. but my host mother didn't." said Darling "(How- ever), I was able to learn a lot of Thai from her." Dar- ling's newly learned vocabu- lary would he helpful in the months ahead. During her stay in Chi, ang Rai. Darling was a guest of the Suttasin family. Ini- lially. not being able to speak the language was a challenge. "It was hot, and I love hot weather," remembered Dar- ling. Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand's proximity to the equator lends the coun- try a year-round tropical ci. mate. dampened only slightly by the summer rainy season. noticed a marked improve- ment over the life she had left behind in Canada. While in Thailand. Dar- ling also offered her services to a number of volunteer organizations. For the first two-and-a-half months, she was involved with a com- munity development agency, an organization that travelled to various small towns and villages around Chiang Rai. " would visit day-care centres, and we would do activities with the kids throughout the day, and talk She spent half of the time working together with the teacher. but was also able to teach a number of classes on her own. "The lessons had to be pretty basic, because of (the language barrier)," said Dar- ling. "Some days I would try to have conversations with- in the class, and other days I would have more of a lesson where we would study a theme." spent a portion of her five months in Chiang Rai teaching English to children in a Thai elementary school. Continued on page 12 - "HIE garage sale'will start at 8:30 a.m. and will go until 1 pm. The Church of the Holy Saviour will be hosting a gian! garage sale Sept. 7 at 33 Allen St. E. in Waterloo. The K-W Friendship Group for Seniors is a not-for- profit, charitable volunteer visiting program for isolat- ed seniors and people with disabilities still living in their own homes. Anyone interested in sponsoring a walker, or for more information. can call the same number. _ Furhiture, household items. clothes and toys are some of the items that will be sold. The walk will start at 10 a.m. at Zion United Church, at 32 Weber St. W. in Kitchener, and will wind its way through Victoria Park. The route is fully wheel- chair accessible. Those interested in joining the walk may contact 742-6502. Alzheimer Disease is a progressive degenerative brain disease which currently affects one in 20 Cana- diarls over the age of 65. For more inGrmation of hosting a Coffee Break, or to find out how you can help, call the Alzheimer Soci» ety of Kitchener-Waterloo at 742-1422, The Kitchener-Waterloo Friendship Group for Seniors is hosting its annual five kilometre "Walk with Frtryis" wolkadron on Sept. 7 in support of the group. Money raised will stay within the community and help fund local programs and services for those with Alzheimer Disease and their caregivers But for staff and volunteers with the Alzheimer Society. September is when the organization's nation- wide fundraising event takes place to raise money for Alzheimer Disease care in local communities across Canada. In preparation for the seventh annual event, the Society is asking for volunteers to host their own events. Coffee Breaks are held in homes, coffee shops, businesses, community centres, care facilities and schools. The Alzheimer Society is looking for volunteers interested in hosting an event or helping someone host a Coffee Break. On Sept. 19 and through the month of September Canadians will be supporting the Alzheimer Society ty. [halting a donation with every cup of coffee they Last year's Coffee Break event raised over $800,000 nationally for Alzheimer Disease. For most people, September means the end of surgmeg and IT beginning of anothe; school year. Alzheimer Society encourages Coffee Breaks Waterloo church holds 'Giant' garage sale Seniors group holds 'Walk with Friends' IIIFZVA'YZ'I " I o Ask for details WATERLOO “om“ '"rthti1li!.1t.thtr Partway Si, [mm M rummailli can: m Wamloo 746-1 666