Andaman Discoveries Blog
Friday, April 20, 2012
Drip Filters Project with The Rotary Club of Patong Beach for Thailand
On the 3rd of March 2012, staff and
friends of AD participated in installing the “Drip filters project” in the
beautiful Laem Naew village, which is situated in Suksamran Disctrict. This
project set up by Rotary Club of Patong Beach (RCoPB) has been a real success thanks to the cooperation
with Andaman Discoveries. Rotary Club of Patong Beach is an English Speaking
Club, located in Phuket, with members from 13 different countries, which was
set up to support communities after tsunami.
Our first installation for the project
was in Ban Chimee for 60 drip filters, and Bang Lampu for 65 drip filters on 19th
February 2012. Many villages in Thailand
don’t have access to water and it usually comes from polluted sources. As
there’s no access to electricity, usual water filtration systems are not practical.
The villagers also use rainwater stored in tanks for drinking water then boil or
filter but it often runs out during the dry season.
The Drip Filter is a ceramic system,
and a low cost alternative to provide these families with bacteria and
pollution free drinking water, they can have a local drinking water instead of
buying bottles of water from the mainland.
We are very active in the communities
and have a long relationship with the RCoPB through other projects and have the
capability to follow up and make sure the Drip Filters are properly used and
maintained thanks to our social network.
For this second
installation we carried 31 drip filters for more than a 100 people, and it was
very interesting to be part of this project to make sure everything was going
well and also see the cooperation between the villagers (Andaman Discoveries)
and the Rotary Club of Patong Beach.
On the 17th of
March, we also assembled a total of 64 drip filters and gave instructions to the
Moken and Thai families on the island
of Koh Phratong and in
the remote villages of Tung Dap and Ban Lions, on how to best use the filter.
Labels: Andaman Discoveries, humanitarians, international development projects
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Kelly’s Journal
Creating Lifetime Humanitarians
I returned to the energy of Andaman Discoveries after a seven-month absence, eager to resume the role of translator and guide. My first assignment was to help a group of YouthLINC volunteers, varying in age from 17 to over 80, organize in-village workshops.In Ban Talae Nok, we conducted a health fair and first aid training with more than 40 villagers. Led by YouthLINC members, the events provided information on dental care, hygiene issues, family planning, and emergency medical care.
A personal highlight for me was translating during a cross-cultural ladies chatting session. After a delicious dinner, our time with the homestay ladies turned into an enlightening and amusing conversation – I’m glad the men weren’t present!
YouthLINC, a U.S.-based organization, aspires to create lifetime humanitarians through a strategic Service Year program, and participants contribute through community service projects in the U.S. and abroad.
Villagers recognized the value of the education shared, stating, “As homestay host families, it’s important we know basic first aid. Everyone should know what to do in an emergency.”
Megan Dennehy, a YouthLINC participant, said, “My visit to BTN was simply inspiring. I learned so much about the wonderful people and their lovely culture. I came with the intention of teaching the villagers and left being the one who had been taught by the villagers. They are beautiful people with the most tender hearts. I can’t wait to come back!”
Heather Bagley, a YouthLINC participant, said, “The village was an excellent opportunity to show the cultural differences of the Thai/Muslim people and Americans. Everyone in this village was kind, generous and very flexible. I wouldn’t change a thing about the homestay experience. I was completely comfortable and happy. Thanks for a fantastic adventure!”
Thank you to all the YouthLINC volunteers for your dedication and effort, in the United States and in Thailand. I hope to work with you again on your next journey.
Best Wishes,
Miss Kelly May
Labels: Ban Talae Nok, cross-cultural, humanitarians, Kelly May, service projects, YouthLINC
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