The number of volunteers has been increasing yearly and led to a grand total of 60 volunteers for 2012. All the volunteers’ efforts contributed immensely to the projects we support.   We have also hosted families at our projects, this is a wonderful way to have the Thai, Muslim and Burmese children learn from their peers.  Kirsten and family came to teach at our learning center and nursery project with her two sons and husband, Tobin.  Kirsten said each day was just more fun than the next, she appreciated the interaction with the local children and her own children, knowing the value and insight it gave to her own children.  Each day her older son, Mathew would go to school only to be whisked away by the local children, they wanted him to talk, spend time and play with him. There was no need for a translator, as communication was...

  Michael and I traveled to Thailand as part of our career break. The following is an excerpt from our travel blog.   Of all the places we would visit on this trip, the last place I thought Michael would be able to relate to the most was a small Muslim Village in Thailand.  But surprisingly, he eased right into sleeping on a mattress on a floor under mosquito netting with roosters crowing at 2am, speaking a completely different language from anyone else around us, and feeding baby goats twice a day.  But he easily compared it to consulting – traveling endlessly from one hotel to the next, needing to learn a new dialect or corporate speak, and understanding a new corporate environment and supporting it.  Makes perfect sense. Our stay in Tung Nang Dam was thanks to Andaman Discoveries – an offshoot of the North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR) organization.  As their website...

  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...

Handicraft Experience Thailand-- By Jo Quinn  Tie-dye – Koh Prathong  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...

  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...

GLORIA’S EXPERIENCE   The first time I met Anis Nee, the director of the English department of the Kuraburi’s School I was really nervous. It was Friday morning and Karen (volunteer’s coordinator of Andaman Discoveries) took me to the school with the motorcycle. Even though I was looking forward to start my new experience as an English teacher at the Kuraburi High and Middle School, it was the first time I was going to teach teenagers and I felt quite scared. But Ajan Arunee – Ajan means teacher in Thai language- received me with a big and large smile. “We are very happy to have you here”- she said.  Next Tuesday, during the student’s morning assembly Ajan Arunee introduced me in front of all the students of the school. As I was talking to them I could notice 800 curious faces looking at me, and all the fear disappeared. Then...

  Smith's Family at Home and Life   We have been so lucky to be tracked down by Allyson Smith and her family who, while on vacation in Phuket, want to spend time helping out and donating essential items to projects for children in and around the Phuket region. Allyson got in touch with me, Karen, Volunteer Coordinator and asked if I could arrange a meeting with the orphanage we work with, this was no problem, we made a date and discussed items to bring and Allyson packed her car and the family set off to Thai Muang to assist with the project. We decided that food was the best donation to make that everyone would benefit from; rice, eggs, sugar and flour were purchased and Kate, the resident cook, prepared a lovely meal for all the workers in the evening. The family also helped to paint the new outside...

Wild Asia Press release   After months of consideration and site visits, Wild Asia’s judging panel has finally selected its 2010 RT Awards winners. Operators such as Andaman Discoveries (Thailand), Heritance Kandalama (Sri Lanka), and Sarinbuana Ecolodge (Indonesia) have surpassed judges’ expectations for their high standards of environmental protection and social responsibility.  With one billion tourists expected to hit the road by 2010, the tourism industry’s impact on environment and communities around the world is immense. Now in their fifth year, the Awards are part of Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Initiative to promote sustainability through tourism.  This year's winner for best tour operator, Andaman Discoveries, stems from tsunami relief pioneered by volunteers who wanted to give back. Now, guests and volunteers can choose from six villages to stay in, and people from all walks of life are getting involved. Helping fourteen local guides improve a nature trail through thick jungle might...

  This month saw the first ever ‘Summer Camp’ held for the students of the Kuraburi Burmese Learning Center; this event was partly sponsored by Muan Mit Thai Foundation who help this event supplying transport for the kids, a very good sound equipment for evenings of karaoke and also contribute food for the event. These contributions are important to help improve the lives of the children through fun activities and education. This was a three day event held just outside Kuraburi town in the grounds of the college in Soi Nang Yong The dedicated staff and helpers from the school helped to set up a weekend of activities for the children which included sports and games, signing and dancing, along with overnight camping; a rare opportunity for these children, as most of these students do not get the opportunity to go on excursions and spend overnight away from their village....

Andaman Discoveries staff was really pleased to attend the Children’s Day celebration in Tung Dap; a beautiful village in the island of Kho Phratong. This amazing island is situated just in front of the coast of Kuraburi and it has its own unique wildlife and landscapes. There is another village on the island called Ban Lion, but the celebration took place in the other side of the island, in Tung Dap; it was definitely a day for the kids. All the children prepared dancing performances and had tones of fun watching their friends perform on stage. All of them received presents and recognition from the village. The villagers kindly prepared delicious lunch for everybody and we all enjoyed a day of happiness and joy. Andaman Discoveries contributed to the party with funding and provided toothbrushes and toothpaste for all the children in the village. We all want to see their...