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| Update 43 |  |
January 2008 |
| www.andamandiscoveries.com |  |
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Back in Action - Helping with a Heart
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| Jariya in the hospital with Bodhi and her grandson. |
Hello friends. Bodhi here, back from a half-year sabbatical. Kelly and Tui have been kind enough to let me write the intro for this update. Much has been accomplished in the last six months. We have provided scholarships for 130 children. Community-based tourism has grown by leaps and bounds -- international awards, a steady stream of guests and volunteers (thank you!), and sustainable income in the villages.
Our work focuses on helping communities as a whole. In January, however, we also took action on behalf of an exceptional individual. As a Moken woman from Tung Dap, Jariya (Noi) was one of the leaders in rebuilding her village after the tsunami, and was also involved in our waste management and mangrove conservation projects. Jariya needed urgent heart surgery, but was not scheduled for a government operation until June! We consulted an expert in Phuket, who realized there was no time to lose, and referred Jariya to Bangkok for immediate surgery. After a four hour open-heart operation, in which one valve was replaced and another extensively repaired, and a two-week recovery period, Noi is now back at home, and feeling much better than before.
The time I took to help Jariya with the operation was a reminder of why Andaman Discoveries was founded. Underlying the details of our work is a commitment to improving the daily lives of those we serve. In other words, compassion is at the root of what we do. Interestingly, the Thai expression for compassion is hen ohk hen jai, which translates directly as "to see outside (of ourselves) is to see the heart." So, hopefully our updates can provide a small window into the hearts and minds of the people in our area. Thanks for your continuing interest in our endeavour and stay tuned for more good news.
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Project Summaries Click on a headline to jump to the story:
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Wise words from a new generation: "This month, we saw many wild birds trapped in a net near our village. Before, we could nothing about this. This time, we explained that tourists were upset, and the net was taken down. Now, we are able to use tourism as a tool to promote conservation." Pink, Age 24 Ban Talae Nok Village |
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| Princess Galyani |
In Memoriam - Princess Galyani
On the January 2nd, the King's elder sister, Princess Galyani, passed away at the age of 84. She was greatly loved for her contribution to rural development and education in the north east, and was a lifelong student of French literature and language. Following Princess Galyani's death, the King announced a 30-day mourning period during which all celebrations and festivities were either cancelled or held in a subdued manner.
Ban Talae Nok Community Centre - Going Strong
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| The Ban Talae Nok Youth Group performing a puppet show. |
All is well in the Ban Talae Nok center. One of the highlights of the center is the ongoing adult education program. Twice a week, 19 adults gather with a teacher and work toward gaining a high-school degree. The youth group has also been active, practicing their puppet show, and then traveling to the island of Koh Phratong for a show. Invited by Naucrates conservation group, the students performed three educational skits accompanied by singing and live guitar. The main topics were keeping the village clean, understanding global warming, and protecting mangrove forests. In April, the Youth Group will host students from surrounding villages for environmental education at the community center in Ban Talae Nok. Hats off to these creative and motivated young adults!
IUCN Grant - Creating Sustainable Tourism Networks
We are proud to announce that Andaman Discoveries has been awarded a grant from the Tourism and Biodiversity Fund of IUCN Netherlands. The goal of the fund is to reduce poverty in rural communities while encouraging "the sustainable use and conservation of ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations." This fund will allow Andaman Discoveries to provide marketing training, support a youth conservation group, and continue our marketing activities. We will also be sponsoring study tours to successful community-based tourism operations for the leaders and guides of the Ban Talae Nok tourism committee.
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| Children of Tharnkirin enjoying a performance. |
Children's Day - Celebrating Our Future
In western countries, we have Mother's and Father's day. Here in Thailand, we also have Children's Day. Held each year on the 12th of January, it is a day for celebrating childhood, unity, and hope for a bright future. Games, activities and shows are held in schools and villages throughout Thailand. In keeping with our tradition of support for community social events, Andaman Discoveries sponsored events in three villages: Tharnkirin, Tung Dap, and Ban Talae Nok. This year we provided toys, food, and school supplies as requested by the villagers.
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| LA producer, Joseph Pontecorvo, filming the ladies of Ban Talae Nok shelling cashew nuts by hand. |
Lights, Camera, Action - Authentic Experiences
When renowned LA producer Joseph Pontecorvo and host Rudy Maxa needed authentic cultural footage of Thailand for their Ruby Maxa's World travel TV program, who did they contact? Andaman Discoveries of course. The seven-strong crew went to Ban Talae Nok to film the villagers as they went about their daily lives fishing, shelling cashew nuts, weaving nipa palm, and herding buffalo. Joseph spent over one hour filming the village's buffalo bathing in the sea, "It's remarkable," he said. "I've never seen anything like before." The program will be broadcast on Public Broadcast Service later this year.
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| Andaman Discoveries staff, Ramon, Amy, and the Tharnkirin villagers enjoying a home cooked meal. |
New Homestay - Tharnkirin Welcomes First Guests
Seeing the success of Tung Nang Dam and Ban Talae Nok's homestay and eco tourism projects, Tharnkirin is now offering homestay and tours to travelers and volunteers. "There is little work for women in the village," explained Tida Puwapada (28). "Having people to stay in our homes is a great way to earn some extra income. It allows us to stay in the village and not have to find work elsewhere." Some of the first guests were Ramon (US) and Amy (US) who described their experience of staying with a family as "truly memorable" and a "highlight" of their trip. The musically talented couple entertained children in the local high school by teaching English through songs.
Good Morning Teacher - Helping the Local Community
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| Lisa (far left) with her students and English assistant, Kru Lek (far right). |
Andaman Discoveries started from tsunami relief and has evolved into community-led development. When local teachers complained of being under staffed and in need of an English teacher, Kelly May, Co-Director, had to help. Andaman Discoveries is now locating volunteers to teach at the school. Our first volunteer was Lisa (Australia), on the last leg of her round-the-world-trip. "To live in a homestay and work in the community has given me unique, lasting memories of Thailand; something staying in a hotel never could." After five days cultural immersion in Tung Nang Dam, it was into school for lessons. Impressed by what she saw with Andaman Discoveries, she is going to present her experience to Rotary Samui (previous donors) next month, to demonstrate how creating sustainable livelihoods is possible with community-wide understanding and community sensitive management.
Goodness for Good People - Welcome Home Erik
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| (from left to right) The Andaman Discoveries team: Tony, Erik, Tui, Kelly, Meaw, and Su. |
Part of Andaman Discoveries success is the people who work in the office in Kuraburi, making everything in the villages possible. This month saw the return (the fourth time) of the legendary Erik Rogers (US), the talented guy responsible for our amazing websites and other complicated technical stuff. Erik's enthusiasm and technical wizardry is much appreciated by all; we wouldn't be here without him. We wish him the best of luck as he joins the Elephant Conservation Project in Kanchanaburi.
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Andaman Discoveries is North Andaman Tsunami Relief’s commitment to long-term sustainable development.
Copyright 2008 Andaman Discoveries