James & Rebecca's experience



As it was the end of the rainy season, we worked with the family to weed vegetable patches, preparing them for seeding and growing in the coming weeks. We stayed onsite, lived, ate, worked and played with the family and the children. It has been an amazing experience, to see how well the children are cared for, how much the orphanage is like a family - providing love and care for all the children. It has been incredibly warming to be able to help and be part of the support to the children.


Thai cooking lessons are also a part of the experience, and a brilliant one too - the food here is very good, and varied, and Gai is an extremely good teacher.

Thank you to all the family at Baan San Fan, we thoroughly recommend the experience to other volunteers - get involved and help this very worthwhile home provide support to the children.

Labels: orphanage

By Jo Quinn

Tie-dye –

One of the groups on the island does tie-dye projects to bring in additional revenue. The dyes are all natural and can be found all over the island. For example, the bark of the mangrove is used to make brown and pink dyes. The group also makes yellow and green dyes. Once the pattern is made, the cloth must sit in the boiling dye for two hours. From there it is taken to the cold water that has chemicals to set the dye. After soaking for another 20 minutes, the cloth is removed and dried.
The group is able to make many different patterns and an array of products. Many of the houses have tie-dyed tablecloths, curtains, and sheets. There is also a tie-dye display room, where the products are displayed and can be purchased.




Old lady who weaves –


There is an old lady on the island that supports seven people by weaving reeds. Many of her family members died of AIDS, and weaving goods is her only source of She can make bracelets, rings, purses, and bags in an array of colors to sell. Sadly she does not have a good grasp of finances and charges far less than the goods are worth - Bodhi encouraged us to pay more than she asked.

Labels: community development, community-based tourism

This March Andaman Discoveries was very pleased to welcome the Hong Kong International School in the Andaman coast. They were a group of 20 keen students between 15 to 17 years old who wanted to learn about the tsunami and work for the Tsunami relief in Yaowawit school.

Before getting to the school they met P'Tui, a member of Andaman Discoveries staff, and Bang Muth, a guide, who guided them through an introduction about the tsunami.

They were all able to visit a Moken village just after landing to understand what this community went through after the tsunami and also learning some AD work with the communities. We were also able to discuss about how tourism can help or harm the local communities.

After this brief introduction, they were able to go to Khao Lak where the Marine boat is since it was washed inland during the tsunami. After seeing the boat they visit the tsunami memorial. All the students showed their respect and understanding about the suffering from the tsunami.

P'Tui was really happy to had known all these amazing teenagers and pleased to guide them through this introduction day about the tsunami.
After this, all the group spent 7 days in Yaowawit.
We hope they had a great time during their stay in Thailand and we encourage them to come again.

We will receive all of you again with open arms!
Thanks