Majority of money goes straight to the villagers Support tsunami-impacted villages Support materials and Thai phrasebook Friendly staff and travel advice Local and Thai-speaking International support staff Contribution to community fund Volunteer opportunities Translator and local guide

©Craig Lovell 2005

The region is home to several tsunami handicraft cooperatives, established in the wake of the tsunami to help provide vital income for the women left widowed by the tsunami. The soap group of Baan Talae Nok host interactive workshops so you can make these natural handicrafts. These inspirational groups are an example of how strength, determination and cooperation have the power to overcome any diversity, even that as devastating as the tsunami.

	Hands on workshop with the ladies in relaxed and friendly atmosphere
	Very pedagogic, learn, observe and participate
	Creative and therapeutic
	A chance to chat with these inspirational women about their lives
	Products made using natural ingredients
	You can keep what you make to take home
	Cooperatives empower women to achieve self reliance

"I have never done anything creative like Batik before, I was actually quite surprised by the result, although the ladies did help me out quite a bit! It was very relaxing spending time to concentrate on something that wasn't work related"

Stephen, Ban Tale Nok village July 2006

Click on an activity from the list below for a complete description, or simply scroll down the page.

	Ban Talae Nok Soap Cooperative
	Interactive Batik Workshop

Ban Talae Nok Soap Cooperative

©Craig Lovell 2005

A popular place with young and old villagers, the Community Center is home to the Ban Tale Nok Soap Cooperative. Established after the tsunami to help the widows earn some income, the group makes beautifully hand-crafted soap, using only the finest natural ingredients. You are encouraged to make your own soap, which you can then take home with you.

For the women, these interactive workshops encourage self-confidence, a sense of pride and a chance for the them to share their remarkable stories.

The cooperative has been an empowering tool for these women who were left with nothing after the tsunami. It's fine to ask questions about their experience — just inform your translator.

"In Ban Talae Nok village the soap making project ladies made us very welcome. We all got stuck in with ease to pricing and packaging the soap. Lunch was delicious - and a really enjoyable experience with the woman chopping and working right in front of us."

Laura, Go Differently tours Ban Talae Nok, August 2005

Learn more about the story of Ban Talae Nok

If you are interested in supporting the women or if you want to know more about the wide range of herbal soap produced, please refer to the Tsunami Crafts website.

Interactive Batik Workshop

In Ban Tale Nok, not enough soap was being sold to support all the ladies, so a group decided to ask for funding to establish a Batik print group. Their hope is to sell their sarongs, shirts and bags to visitors to the village to supplement their small income. You can create your own design or have the ladies draw one for you. All you have to do is color in the beautiful designs. If you have an item of cotton clothing, you can also customize it using Batik. This is a popular activity with people of all ages, and is actually very therapeutic and relaxing. You can keep the batik you made as a souvenir or a gift for friends back home.

If you are interested in supporting the women, don't hesitate to contact us.