HVRHS students explore Thailand

Thailand was without a doubt one of the most inspiring and incredible trips taken by the Housatonic Valley Regional High School International Travel Club.

Thanks to the fundraising from Northwest Corner: Students Without Borders and the annual Wine Dinner and Auction last fall hosted by the White Hart Inn, 23 students and seven chaperones traveled to Bangkok and the Chiang Mai region in July and August for 12 days.

Every moment was truly special. We visited ancient temples, tried new and delicious foods and watched elephants majestically roam the forests.

Roughly five days of the trip were specifically dedicated to service. In addition to cutting sugar cane and preparing vitamin balls for elephants at an ethical sanctuary, we also worked with children ages 7 to 13 at a local school. We raised garden beds and created more than 1,000 mushroom plants that will supply the children with food to eat and sell over the next five months.

Chang Chill elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.Provided

Despite the language barrier, HVRHS students were able to play games and interact with the children on a more personal level. Helping the school not only touched the lives of the students and families living in Thailand, but also touched the hearts of the traveling students. Nothing feels better than giving back, helping those in need and creating lasting memories and bonds across continents.

Madison Graney is a rising senior at HVRHS, and Grace Graney is a rising junior. Both sisters look forward to traveling with the club again.

The HVRHS International Travel Club thanks the following for supporting this trip: Northwest Corner: Students Without Borders, the 21st Century Fund, Alice and Richard Henriquez Memorial Fund, Youth World Awareness Program, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Region One community.