Andaman Discoveries Blog
Friday, April 27, 2012
Volunteers
Thank you so much to our volunteers who took part in our projects over the last few months: your time and dedication means so much to us.
We are currently
developing new projects that will need the skills and time from volunteers over
the next few months, watch this space for an up-date.
Here is a little
excerpt from the feedback from one of our past volunteers :
“Hi! First of
all, if you’re reading this, thank you. Thank you for giving up some of your
precious time to help out on a really worthwhile cause, I know that it was so
tempting to book that beach resort instead but trust me, you’re doing a good
thing.
How good that ‘good thing’ really becomes is
now entirely dependent on you. But who am I to say all that? Well I, like you,
volunteered in 2012 when I was 21, I did have a lot of help but still there
were one or two small things that, on reflection, set me back and prevented me
from really making my ‘good thing’ truly great and if I can pass on the
mistakes that I made and the solutions that I found and help even just one
person, then I’d feel a lot better.
Before I even get onto teaching methods and
how that’s all really going to go down, I want to talk about Kuraburi itself.
As you no doubt feel right now, you’re a rather long way from home and all these
unreadable signs, market stalls and strange glances from pretty much everybody
isn’t helping the uneasiness. Don’t panic, that’s perfectly normal; it’s
culture shock and it will take time. Probably no good right now, but I will say
that although there’s nothing you can do about the signs (or the market stalls)
a smile goes a very long way with the locals and once you realize that there’s
nothing malicious in their curiosity, you’ll quickly start to enjoy the
attention. Take it from me, I’m seriously shy but the locals seem to have this
thing for different skin tones and a fondness for foreigners that landed me
several charming compliments without even a Hello.”
Labels: long-term volunteering, Southern Thailand Volunteering, volunteer, volunteering, volunteering Thailand
Monday, January 18, 2010
Amazing Views
Crooked Trails Volunteer Experience
Environmental activist Edward Abbey famously said: “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” Crooked Trails, the non-profit, community-based travel organization whose name was inspired by this quote, joined Andaman Discoveries for a service tour in November seeking their own amazing view of the North Andaman region. They found it at the Burmese Learning Center and in Tung Dap village.“I have fallen madly in love with some Burmese children. They follow you with their eyes until contact is made and then they might smile at you. Once these two things have happened, you realize your heart is no longer your own,” said participant Noelle, who helped the group paint classrooms at the school. Todd, who led the group of ten, added, "the school project was wonderful and meaningful. The group felt their presence was appreciated.”
You can read Noelle’s complete Blog entry on our website.
The group also spent two days in the village of Tung Dap, where they enjoyed a homestay and helped with mangrove conservation. Of their homestay in Tung Dap, Noelle said “I am listening to conversations in languages I do not understand. The wind talking to the trees. The clucks of chickens and roosters beneath the beams of the house I am sitting in. The scent of onion, sizzling as our hosts prepare dinner. Children's brief calls. The silence of cats and dogs sleeping. The rumble of man and machine. The dash of geckos on the roof. I may not understand them, but knowing them, in this moment, gives me peace.”
Labels: construction, crooked trails, service projects, volunteering
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Good Things Come in Threes
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
Monday, April 20, 2009
Erik’s Journal
Skills for the real world at Phuket Special School
Since 1993, Phuket Special School has provided a safe and educational haven for disabled, autistic, and deaf children from the ages 6 to 21. Every year, the school hosts a scout camp to develop important life skills and have fun outdoors. We sent Erik Rogers, our creative guru, to join in the festivities:“It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my several years in Thailand. I was imdeiately welcomed by the children, who nicknamed me P’ Nung, which translates to ‘older brother number one.’
“The first morning we assembled large tents, dug holes for organic waste, and made dish-drying racks out of bamboo. After lunch, we broke into teams for sports, song, and dance. The evening was equally active, with night-time rope-walking challenges and obstacles courses that would give an army cadet pause. The laughter and song carried on until almost 10 pm.
“I continue to be amazed and inspired by the extraordinary resilience of these young people in the face of very difficult circumstances.”
Labels: disabled children, Phuket, Thailand, volunteering
Southern Thailand Orphanage
French couple pilot new long-term volunteer opportunity
Jeremy and Audrey (France) wanted to spend time with local people and contribute their talents to a worthwhile cause. They found that opportunity through Andaman Discoveries’ newest long-term volunteering program at a southern Thailand orphanage.During their nine days at the orphanage, Jeremy and Audrey taught the children fun activities like juggling, and also assisted them with gardening, handicrafts, cooking, drawing, and various construction projects. They discovered that even simple acts like smiling and eating with the children provided companionship and support. “The eldest children are really independent, so most of the time we were with the younger ones. They like drawing, singing and listening to us read story books. The children were always ready and happy to do things with us.”
The couple concluded that “it was a wonderful experience. Thank you to Andaman Discoveries for introducing us to the orphanage. We encourage everybody to do the same.” You can learn more about this new program on our website, or contact us for details.
Labels: orphanage, Thailand, tsunami, volunteer, volunteering
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