Aug 23: Video Training with KWAT

Today we started work on our GROW project with KWAT.

After a short introduction to the program by Leigh Ann, Nick conducted a training for five KWAT employees using the video editing software Adobe Premiere Pro CS6. Nick went over the basics of importing clips, adding transitions and creating titles in preparation for more advanced topics tomorrow. He also covered special applications of the software like creating still images from video clips and adding ambient sound to create a smooth audio. KWAT will use this software to edit footage they have taken on drug trafficking along the Thai-Burmese border. They are planning to produce a drug awareness video using the techniques covered during the training.

Meanwhile, the rest of the GROW team planned our upcoming migrant exchange with Mai. We will be interviewing migrant workers to create a video about their struggles for KWAT, drawing parallels to the challenges faced by migrants in other areas of the world. The rest of the GROW team also picked out a wide selection of Kachin crafts produced by KWAT’s Income Generation program for sale in the U.S. Look for them in Dartmouth during the fall term!

KWAT provided us with a delicious Kachin lunch, featuring sautéed morning glories, chili paste and guavas.

After we returned to our apartment, we had another Thai lesson with Khruu O. We learned about Thai consonant clusters, tones and numbers, as well as some basic vocabulary.