Labels: long-term volunteering, Southern Thailand Volunteering, volunteer, volunteering, volunteering Thailand

Volunteer activity development

Labels: community development, conservation, Mangrove, volunteer

by Andrew Moncada

Looking back at these last four weeks, I think the best way to commemorate them is through Top Four Lists. Without further ado...
1. The food
-Because of this innate ability for a Thai person to cook up a fantastic meal with only a handful of ingredients, if a Thai were to ever be a contestant on Hell's Kitchen, I'd put it at 2:1 odds that he or she would win if they aren't required to know a handful of Eureopean dishes. Those challenges where the cooks have to make a meal by only using ingredients they find in a half-stocked fridge would be no contest.

-You eat with a spoon and fork by using the fork to help scoop food onto the spoon. Kinda takes a meal or two to get used to, but it's a highly efficient way of eating. Very easy to clean up your plate, because you can destroy every grain of rice with the spoon-dominated method.

-Mangosteen is quickly climbing my favorite fruits pyramid. It looks like something that Link from Zelda would eat. Purple ball with a cartoon-ish green leaves at the top. Open it and there's white flesh. Really good.

1b. Bua loy
My absolute favorite dessert. Sticky rice balls in coconut milk. I need to figure out this recipe. Ok, I need to stop thinking about this or else I'm going to pass out.

2.Having fantastic beaches everywhere
Not fair.

3. Being able to walk down the street and smile and talk with people
Try doing this in LA, and people will think you're crazy.

4. Not having to follow the LeBron James fiasco.
With limited internet access and no TV, I'm glad that I didn't have to be bombarded with LeBron James news or "The Decision."

Labels: Southern Thailand Volunteering, study program, volunteer

Volunteers Contribute at Local Projects

Andaman Discoveries would like to give a special thank you to three volunteers who donated their time to make a big difference with three important projects. Michelle (UK) taught sign language; Adam (UK) helped with construction; and Leo (Netherlands) taught English in a remote village.

By volunteering their time and unique skills, each of these people left a permanent mark on the lives of those they touched. Michelle explored differences between American, Thai, and English signing with the students at the Disabled School and Southern Thailand Orphanage. “It is an important lesson for the children … that because someone is deaf or is not the same as us, they are still able to live life the same as us,” said the director of the orphanage.

Adam’s contribution at the orphanage was more physical but equally significant. He not only got his hands dirty digging drainage troughs and breaking ground on a new bungalow, he was also an excellent role model for the children. “Volunteers like Adam set a positive example and are great role models, especially to the boys, who often lack male mentors. The children learn the importance of giving back to society,” said Mimi Cheung of Andaman Discoveries. The children respected Adam’s kind and gentle personality, and many tears were shed when he said farewell.

Leo, who is cycling around Southeast Asia with only two small bags, first contacted us in March about volunteering. Armed with our Thai-English phrasebook, a dictionary, some pencils and paper, we sent him into Ban Na village for a week. After the experience Leo reflected, “It was meant to be. I had such a wonderful experience, being totally submerged into the village way of life. I had to learn to slow down the pace and do as they do. We had so much fun learning and interacting with each other. I feel very privileged to have been allowed into their homes. They made me feel so much like part of their family.” Leo plans to return in January 2010 to continue teaching in village or at one of our other projects.

Feeling inspired? If you’d like to contribute your time by volunteering, please contact us to learn more about how you can get involved.

Labels: long-term volunteering, volunteer, volunteering, volunteering Thailand

Volunteer English teachers, Jeannine and Rebecca, prepare for an afternoon of classes at the Burmese Learning Center.

The last week of school came too quickly. In the brief month that I taught at the Burmese Learning Center, I felt that I developed relationships with the students and teachers. The students’ confidence and skills grew steadily, as did mine, as I learned to find my footing as a teacher in Thailand.

It was motivating to learn that I could lead classes, despite being without a formal teaching background. The month at the Burmese Learning Center allowed me to discover an artist and teacher within me.

I was instantly made welcome by the Burmese Learning Center staff. The staff supported me, so that there was always someone there if I was to encounter any problems. The children are lovely, full of personality and a pleasure to teach. There is a great atmosphere at the center.

To anyone considering taking the leap to teach in Thailand through Andaman Discoveries - I have one word – Jump!

Labels: Burmese Learning Center, education, teaching english, volunteer

I was filled with apprehension, clutching my lesson plans, as I awaited the start of my first day teaching.

The first class of the day was grade one. The class exuded enthusiasm, cheering, “Teacher, teacher, teacher!”

Rebecca takes in the scene near the Burmese Learning Center.

Just as I began to feel panic, Sawsaw (one of the Burmese teachers) calmed the class down. The lesson ran surprisingly smooth. Drawing and singing proved to be keys to the students’ attention. I’m far from being in the category of the likes of Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh, but I decided I’d better develop my artistic side quickly to excel at this new role.

The rest of the first day was nerve racking, but an overall success. I introduced myself to the children. After their initial shyness dissipated (excluding grade one, who were certainly not shy), I felt the students responded well. I anticipated the next few weeks, excited to see just how far the students and I would grow. Monet just may have competition yet!

Labels: education, teaching english, volunteer

Rebecca’s roommate, “Gary the Gecko.”

The power was out on the entire street when I arrived home after the first day of volunteer orientation. My phone made a useful light, so I could make my way to the bathroom.

I shined my phone around the room. My heart stopped. On the wall next to me was a massive (well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little) gecko staring right at me!

There have been few times in my life that I have moved as quickly, as I did that moment. I made a mad dash to the bedroom.

The bathroom seemed too close for comfort, so I put a fan in front of the door just in case the gecko chose to follow me. It took about an hour for me to muster the courage to leave the bedroom. I nervously opened the door, shining the phone light around to check that the gecko wasn’t lurking close by. After a close inspection, I decided the coast was clear.

I relayed the gecko encounter to the AD team. They found it rather amusing. It was explained that geckos inhabit most Thai homes. The geckos eat the flies, mosquitoes and spiders in your house. I was told that they’re not harmful and are actually seen as lucky.

After much deliberating, I decided a gecko was certainly better than flies, mosquitoes and spiders. The best option was to befriend my gecko and keep him on my side.

That night I went home ready to give the gecko a second chance. The power was back on, allowing me to get a better look at my new friend. Upon closer inspection, I saw he was surprisingly cute (ish).

I named the gecko, Gary. While I still shut the bedroom door at night, I quite enjoyed having Gary around. Once Gary and I were used to each other, a beautiful friendship was formed.

Labels: Kuraburi, volunteer

My journey to Thailand was less than successful: sleep was merely a dream, the flight was exorbitantly long and then came the ill-fated misplaced luggage. I quickly began to wonder if leaving England for Thailand was such a bright idea after all.

As I made the trip from Phuket to Kuraburi, I felt a smorgasbord of emotions. Nervousness and curiosity consumed me as I was unsure of what lay ahead.

I arrived at the Andaman office tired and dazed. Kelly, Karen and Leslie greeted me, offering a warm welcome. I felt at ease and my nerves subsided immediately.

Kelly May describes the different Thai dishes to Rebecca at a team dinner.

They took me to see the house that would be home for the next month. My first reaction was a tinge of shock. Thai houses are different from those in England. For starters, it came with geckos, but more on that later. I loved that my house was pink, but was unsure how enjoyable cold showers would be.

Once I was settled into the pink house, the team invited me to experience my first lunch in Thailand. We traveled to a restaurant about five minutes from Kuraburi for the traditional Thai meal, Som Tam, a salad made from un-ripened papaya. I was impressed even though the meal had more spice than my England taste buds were used to.

I couldn’t have been happier to go to bed at the close of the first day in Thailand. My initial feelings of nervousness were replaced with excitement for the next day ahead.

Labels: Kuraburi, Thai food, volunteer

Burmese Learning Center Welcomes English Teachers

We were fortunate to have Rebecca (UK) with us from mid-May to mid-June. She came to us through our partner organization, Twin UK, to teach English at the Burmese Learning Center.

Jeannine (volunteer English teacher), Kelly, Karen, and Rebecca at the Burmese Learning Center.

Rebecca wrote about her experiences as a first-time teacher, being a newbie in Kuraburi and meeting her roommate, "Gary the Gecko."

“In the brief month that I taught at the Burmese Learning Center, I felt that I developed relationships with the students and teachers. The students' confidence and skills grew steadily, as did mine, as I learned to find my footing as a teacher in Thailand,” said Rebecca.

Her stories will be shared on the blog in the upcoming weeks, so check back soon.

Teaching at the Burmese Learning Center is one of several long-term volunteering programs offered by Andaman Discoveries. We can also arrange placements at the Phuket Disabled School or a Southern Thailand Orphanage.

Labels: Burmese Learning Center, education, Kuraburi, teaching english, volunteer

Andaman Discoveries Seeks Long-Term Volunteer / Intern

The Andaman Discoveries’ team participates in a teambuilding exercise at Our Jungle House in May 2009.

Are you a student or recent graduate eager to gain more hands-on experience in marketing, tourism, and community development? Or are you a professional ready to take a career break, but want to utilize your skills? If yes, then Andaman Discoveries wants to hear from you.

Andaman Discoveries is a leader in sustainable travel in Thailand that allows visitors and volunteers to directly support community education, village-led conservation, and cultural empowerment. We are seeking a long-term volunteer and/or intern to join our team.

Our organization provides an opportunity to help in many areas including marketing and program development. If you are self-motivated with a passion for sustainable tourism and community development, then this is the ideal position for you!

Long-Term Volunteer / Intern Position Details:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Analyze marketing data


• Generate customers for community-based tourism products through promotion to tour operators and independent travelers, both domestic and international


• Work with communities to develop marketable products


• Produce marketing materials


• Conduct media outreach and coordination of promotional visits and familiarization trips


• Help build long-term relationships between community members and customers that will sustain community-based tourism

Qualifications:

• Interest in community development at grassroots level


• Experience in the tourism industry and marketing, particularly with community-based or ecotourism


• Excellent communication skills, methodical, organized and flexible for multiple assignments


• Highly motivated and proactive


• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as internet research skills


• Ability to work well with others, be creative, and have fun

Start Date: August/September 2009

Length of Contract: Four months minimum (longer commitments are preferred)

Location: Kuraburi, Phang-Nga Province, Thailand

Accommodation: Andaman Discoveries will help find accommodation — many options are available for a variety of budgets. Clean, comfortable bungalows are available for 2,000 baht (£32, US$57) a month.

Financial Compensation: This is not a paid position. Staff can expect to spend around 100 baht (£1.60, US$4) on food a day.

Contact: Please apply online at: www.andamandiscoveries.com/news.internship.html

Labels: intern, staff, volunteer

Chris Allen, Peace Corps volunteer, with students participating in English language exercises.

Removed from the tourist path, the Kuraburi area provides insight into Thai life. The downside: It is a challenge to find farang. They are a rare sight, especially in low season.

A United States Peace Corps volunteer traveled to Kuraburi in search of native-English speakers. Chris Allen, from Indiana, needed farangs (foreigners in Thai) to be themselves to assist in a mock exercise in Ban Triam village.

For more than a year, Chris has been at Ban Triam village, focusing on teacher collaboration and community outreach in his role with the Peace Corps. Ban Triam is about 20 kilometers from Kuraburi.

Chris’s search for native-English speakers led him to Andaman Discoveries. Karen Spackman, from Scotland, and LesIie Welshimer, from the U.S., agreed to travel to Ban Triam School and be themselves – farangs.

“If there is one thing I can do well in Thailand, it’s to speak fluent English and broken Thai,” Leslie said. “I had previously thought being a farang, who speaks broken Thai, was a weakness. Then in May I was sought out for doing what I do best – be myself, a confused farang for a day.”

Ajan Phahon, a remarkable teacher at Ban Triam, is completing his thesis on task-based learning. He has been a teacher at Ban Triam for 12 years. Four years ago he went to Bangkok to earn his master’s degree in teaching English as a second language.

Chris said, “Phahon is much more than an English teacher at the Ban Triam School. He teaches math, computers and dedicates his time as a volleyball coach. He’s a great teacher to work with, and it’s motivating to see the progress from the students practicing his task-based concepts.”

Ajan Phahon with Andaman Discoveries’ team members, Karen and Leslie.

To help teach the students learn English, Phahon arranged several real-life (task-based) situations for them to practice. One of Phahon’s goals was to help the students improve their confidence in speaking with farang.

The first task-based lesson was at a beach-view restaurant at Ao Khoei Beach. Chris, Karen and Leslie sat at the restaurant, enjoyed the view and played the part of customers. The students assumed the role of hostesses and waiters. They took food orders and ensured guest comfort, while they practiced speaking and listening in English.

The second lesson was held at bungalows near the restaurant. Karen and Leslie pretended to be customers looking for accommodations. The exercise involved asking questions like: How much does a room cost, does the room have air conditioning or fan, does the shower have hot or cold water and can I see the room?

The students gave a tour of the bungalows. Karen and Leslie asked more questions while looking at the bungalows. Karen said, “While I was helping the students practice English, I also found myself being sold on a night at this place. The sound of the ocean, comfortable rooms and the friendly service nearly caused me to open my wallet, forgetting it was all a mock exercise.”

Students successfully completed the third English exercise of the day with Chris, Karen and Leslie.

The final task-based situation was to go shopping at a small convenience store. The students practiced the role of customer service providers, while Chris, Karen and Leslie asked a variety of questions, like: What beverage do you recommend, how far away is the bus station and where I can find soap?

"Despite having few opportunities to communicate with English speakers, the students clearly had a significant grasp on the language. They were kind, attentive and displayed how much youth can excel with the dedication of good teachers like Chris and Phahon,” Karen said.

Chris continues to contribute his skills in Ban Triam and surrounding communities. He is actively planning an English language camp this month to help youth increase their confidence in conversing.

Labels: Ao Khoei Beach, education, teaching english, United States Peace Corps, volunteer

Italian Shutterbugs click with Andaman Discoveries

Francesco and Darinka (Italy) are self described “land gypsies” who have been traveling throughout Southeast Asia volunteering their photographic, video editing, and web development talents to worthwhile causes like the Tambun Farmstay program in Malaysia. They’d just directed and edited a short video to promote baskets made by disadvantaged women in Malaysia when they heard about the work of Andaman Discoveries from our friends at ThaiCraft. “It seems the job is tailored made for us!” said Darinka.

The couple spent a whirlwind two weeks with us in Kuraburi, two days of which they spent as voluntourists in Tung Dap village capturing riveting images of the scenery and daily life. They also traveled to Ban Talae Nok, Koh Ra Ecologe, and a nearby national park on photo tours. When their shutters fell silent they managed to edit several videos, making our video page sparkle while giving us a promotional tool in a new medium.

They alighted for northern Thailand and Laos at Songkran, and are planning a benefit walk through Italy in support of earthquake victims. We thank them for their wonderful work and great company, and look forward to the day they wander though the North Andaman region again.

AD welcomes volunteers with technical, marketing and business skills. If you have talents to share, please contact us.

Labels: photography, volunteer, YouTube

U.S. Volunteer Fixes Bicycles


There are many inspired ways to support Andaman Discoveries in addition to participating in a cultural tour, volunteering in the office, or sponsoring youth activities. Jesse Holgate of Seattle, USA, recently reminded us of this by donating his time and mechanical aptitude to fixing our fleet of bicycles!

Armed with an arsenal of tools, basic parts, and cleaning supplies, Jesse utilized his handyman skills over several days with some basic bicycle cleaning and repair. “A bicycle is one of the most efficient forms of transportation. It's good for the environment and the cyclist's health as well. I enjoy supporting groups like Andaman Discoveries that are making a difference in lives of local people,” said Tyler Welshimer of Welshimer Wheels, who kindly donated the parts.

The organization maintains seven bikes, which provide not only a convenient means of transport to and from the office and around town, but also to explore the surrounding countryside. Unfortunately, bicycle service is tough to come by in these parts, and the equipment was in serious need of replacement parts, tuning up, and cleaning.

The bike repair project started with several hours scrubbing off road grit. Jesse then outfitted the bikes with kickstands, blinking rear lights, and several new sets of brakes. He also tuned all brakes and shifting, and pumped the tires to the proper air pressure. Jesse then gave a brief workshop on basic bicycle maintenance, explaining the purpose of the items he’d brought, like chain lube, chain cleaner, patch kits, wrenches, and the like. AD staff now has the tools and knowledge to keep the bikes maintained going forward.

After Jesse’s departure, four team members enjoyed a bike ride through peaceful back roads with a donated emergency kit in tow, which includes a pump, tire levers, spare tube, patch kit, multi-tool kit with a number of compact wrenches, screwdrivers that fit into a pouch. (Fortunately they didn’t need it.)


We’re all riding a little safer these days! Thank you to Jesse and Welshimer Wheels for your kind help.

Labels: Cycling, volunteer

French couple pilot new long-term volunteer opportunity

Labels: orphanage, Thailand, tsunami, volunteer, volunteering

Karen befriends the local youth in Ban Talae Nok

This month Andaman Discoveries welcomed Karen Spackman, who joins us from Stirlingshire, Scotland, via Andaman Discoveries’ new partner TWIN UK. Karen is currently piloting two new long-term volunteering programs: teaching English at the Temple Kindergarten, and vocational English at the Kuraburi hospital. “This is turning out to be such a fantastic experience for me, I have been made to feel part of the team as well as the community since arriving in Kuraburi. Working with the local children and nurses has really helped transform me from being just another tourist to a valued member of the town,” said Karen.

In November she will be greeted by anxious students at the Kuraburi High School, where she will teach for her remaining two months. “Karen is a brilliant addition to the Andaman Discoveries team,” said Erik Rogers, AD Program Manager. “She has boundless energy and enthusiasm, and is a real self-starter. She felt like part of the gang on her first day.” In her spare time, Karen has generously helped out in the office on various administrative tasks, including our English homestay pack.

Karen went on to comment that, “Integrating with the local people has allowed me to establish relationships I would never have gained if I were merely just visiting the area. Since arriving in Kuraburi I have been supported all the way by Andaman Discoveries, through having access to their online teaching plan for the children, to assistance with the development of my own lesson plans for the adults. The staff at the office has such a vast wealth of knowledge that I’m always able to share ideas and concerns with at any time”.

Labels: Karen Spackman, staff, teaching english, volunteer