As one who enjoys getting out of the mundane office or classroom routine, I’m always looking for an excuse for celebration.
Most recently, that had the Center involved in Halloween.
When I saw the streets of Vientiane explode in Halloween costumes for sale, that stirred me into action to educate those enrolled in our classes with what this day was about.
No one knew aside from it was a foreigners’ time to dress up in scary outfits for some reason or other. To the Laos children, their parents and working adults, sounded fun so why not take part in it by purchasing costumes, and attending some ex-pats parties or gatherings? International schools likewise were hosting their own Halloween celebrations for students, even though this is more of an American custom than those in Europe or Asia. Seems the Halloween spirit catches on no matter where one might be in the world.
In China, I devoted entire units to Halloween, which ended in a campus-wide Halloween Activity Night which the English Club and I spent weeks to prepare. Over 700 came to enjoy pumpkin carving, bob-for-apples, trick-or-treating, costume wearing and picture taking. We even had teachers from outside bring their students to enjoy.
Here at the Center, I took the opportunity to create a special Power Point concerning the history of Halloween from the Celts to the Romans to the Christians. This included the Christians adoption of the day which eventually ties into All Saints Day.
Next came the activities associated with this day: wearing costumes and masks, trick-or-treating, bobbing-for-apples, and carving pumpkins. Unfortunately for this part of the world, pumpkins are so flat and narrow that I couldn’t demonstrate making a Jack-o-Lantern but videos I made during the Covid years came in very handy.
By the end of the 2-day preparation for our own celebrations at the Center, the students were well-informed. Worksheets helped them gain the simple vocabulary needed to identify activities and costumes that are the most popular in America for an October 31st gathering.
Preparing for The Big Evening
Much like in China, I decided Halloween Activity Night was what we needed to nail home the lessons taught. Without my English Club, it was my Laos staff and Shaloom (our intern from Pakistan) to help carry out the evening as hosts and chaperones.
I first enlisted the help of our older students, those in Junior High, to help make the necessary activity signs needed for each of our stations. These they translated into Laos as well, to make sure our younger students, their parents and friends (invited as well) could understand what was asked of them to do.
Our activity stations were as follows: Mask making, Make a trick-or-treat bag, Trick-or-Treat, Wear a Costume, and Bob-for-Apples.
I was very impressed by their enthusiasm in taking on this task and their creativity in making their signs colorful and noticeable. They really went to town! This likewise included Shaloom, who mentioned this is also a new experience for him as well. Notice is great ghost drawing in the below. He certainly outdid himself!
Preparing for the Evening’s Event
The Laos staff likewise enjoyed a down-sized education of Halloween via Power Point during our weekly meetings and then being assigned roles for decorating and manning our stations. Aside from those of Laos nationality, two more additions (newly arrived Sora, Korean-American, and our bookkeeper, Joan from the Philippines) joined in helping along with Shaloom, of course. We started at 10 a.m. and eventually finished by 3 p.m., just in time to settle into our own costumes and await the arrival of our guests. (Note: Not familiar with slideshows? Below is a slideshow of our preparation photos. Click on arrows to forward or the middle arrow to begin progression automatically.)
The Event Itself
Our doors opened at 4 and closed at 7 p.m. In total, we had about 45 come (including all our students) and participate in what we had to offer. Students brought siblings or friends. We had a few parents enjoy themselves as well, especially picking through the many costumes which I’d had from China and then added quite a few from the street venders.
I will say the venders selling so many costume selections were ecstatic when they saw me coming. I ended up visiting them numerous times to make sure we were stocked to the brim so everyone could have a decent selection of what to wear. As you can see from the pictures, this was quite a night full of happiness, fun, all-out joy along with the educational stance which I, as a teacher, always highlight in anything I do. (Below is another slideshow presentation. Put your cursor on the picture and arrows will appear.)
Grateful to All our “Sponsors”
I have more news to share of more celebrations in upcoming posts, but let me take this time to thank you all once again, those of you who have been graciously and generously giving to the Santisouk Vocational and Language Center through the Advance. Without your support, we would not be able to have such events.
Not only have you added to the education of the students but given the staff a feeling of being appreciated and loved in all their hard work. Your donations have allowed me to go all-out for birthday parties, lunches on the Center’s dime, offering snacks during weekly meetings, money gifts to rejoice in births or (sad to say) the passing away of close relatives, and also truly making us all proud with those who have finished furthering their education. 2 have just finished their BA degrees after 2 years of after-work courses, another completed his junior college Business degree and yet another is about to undertake a weekend of MA courses here in Vientiane.
Here we are below, at a celebratory luncheon for our graduates, following yesterday’s after-buffet gorging. `The lunch for 11 was on all of you who have given to the Center so generously this past year. In our opening prayer before eating, we thanked those who have supported us in all ways, not just monetarily but also through spreading the word about this special institution here in Vientiane, Laos. Yes, we in Southeast Asia feel truly blessed to have you join us in spirit and thought. Have a blessed weekend!
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Blessings