I was invited to visit a Buddhist temple and a school that was established there for the poor children of the surrounding communities and for the small group of orphans who live at the temple. Over the years the school has gotten enough outside funding to move out of the wooden sheds where it started and into some newly constructed classrooms.

The first classroom I visited was the second grade room, and the first person I met was Tho, the boy pictured above. He may look innocent, but Tho is an extremely precocious charmer with a presence larger than the room. His seat was right by the door at the front of the class - right next to the teacher's seat - right next to the teacher's discipline stick - for a reason.

Worshiping? Nope. Filling up a squirt gun with holy water and squirting the plastic shrine flowers.

The girls here are far outnumbered, and out-hypered, by the boys. This one has the brightest eyes.

'Nuf said.

I love the interaction between this teacher and her students.

Tho was assigned to lead the prayer procession before lunch. All the students formed a single file line and walked along in slow even steps singing as they went. Tho greeted my lens with enough clowning to get a couple stern warnings from the teacher.

He found a rubber band and it's on his head now.

Lunch was delicious and really healthy. I wish I could eat like this every day.

This kid is really cool.