Jet during our Phattalung Project

My Thailand experience

29 September 2010 begon mijn trip naar Thailand. Met dubbele gevoelens stapte ik het vliegtuig in, op naar de warmte! Met heel veel zin, maar toch ook wel een klein, klein beetje angst ging ik naar Thailand. Pi Chane haalde me op van Krabi airport en al snel voelde ik dat het helemaal goed ging komen. De truck zat namelijk helemaal vol met alle andere conservation volunteers en het was direct al gezellig.  J. Guest House was een goede plek om samen met alle andere vrijwilligers te wonen. Schone kamers, fijne bedden, warme douches en natuurlijk de leuke staff members Kip en Nok.

During one of our volunteer's birthday Party

Hetgeen waar ik erg naar uit keek was het duiken. Het was allemaal zo nieuw voor me en eenmaal in de zee keek ik mijn ogen uit! (En nog steeds) Wow! Geweldig. Het grootste deel van de week ben je aan het duiken en doe je “salvage dives”, wat betekent dat je dus zoveel mogelijk troep opruimt wat je tegenkomt onderwater. Ook doe je Crown of Thorn removals. Crown of Thorns zijn kort gezegd giftige zeesterren die wanneer er teveel van in een bepaald gebied zijn het koraal aantasten. Als je dan weer terug bent van het duiken begin je aan de theorie van het Reef Check Programme. Reef Check is een wereldwijd programma waarmee je de gezondheid van een bepaald koraalrif als het ware berekent door drie categorieën te bestuderen. Fish, Invertebrates, Substrates. Fish spreekt voor zich. Invertebrates zijn dieren zoals: Zeekomkommers, zeesterren en kreeften. Substrates is datgene wat het koraalrif opbouwt en alle soorten koraal en steen. Je doet in deze drie categorieën een aantal tests en dan ben je gecertificeerd om mee te doen aan het Reef Check project en kun je in teams onderwater onderzoek doen. Ik vond die onderzoeken altijd heel leuk om te doen! Je bent geconcentreerd bezig en het voelt elke keer weer als een avontuur en uitdaging. Je weet namelijk nooit wat je allemaal tegen gaat komen. Haaien? Schildpadden? Of “gewoon” alleen maar mooie vissen en kleurig koraal.

Other volunteers with Jet

Het is natuurlijk niet alleen maar leuk (én intensief) duiken. Er zijn ook nog de mangroves, de beach clean-ups en de maandelijkse sociale dagen. Mangroves en beach clean-ups zijn vermoeiend, hard werken en vooral heet werk! Ik ben naar verschillende plekken geweest waar wij nieuwe mangrove plantjes in de modder hebben geplant of de plek waar nieuwe plantjes moesten komen hebben schoongemaakt. “Lekker” in de modder, de zon en in het water en in teamverband kon ik altijd plezier hebben. Je moet niet bang zijn om vies te worden! Op de heen- en terugreis kom je nog wel eens vast te zitten met de truck en moet je met zijn allen duwen, trekken of gewoon beweging in de truck te zien krijgen. Na een tijdje het conservation project gedaan te hebben wordt je een hecht team! Ik ben zelf altijd al een teamspeler geweest, vooral door team-/elftalsporten en het beviel mij heel goed. Voor de beach clean-ups heb je niet veel vaardigheden nodig. Met een beetje doorzettingsvermogen en een positieve spirit is zo’n beach clean-up altijd zo voorbij! Daarnaast voelt het heel goed als je na een uurtje of twee meer dan 200 kg afval hebt opgehaald. De sociale dagen verschillen elke maand. Ik ben een paar keer naar Pattalung geweest om de families die getroffen waren door de overstromingen een soort van “overlevingspakket” te geven. Of een dag met kinderen op een school leuke dingen doen en meehelpen met de nationale “Children’s Day”.

Mijn ervaringen hier in Ao Nang en Krabi zijn alleen maar positief! Het Conservation project is mijn favoriet. Ik heb er voor gekozen ook nog een maand een Care project te doen. Ik vind kinderen leuk en wilde graag de ervaring hebben hoe het is om met hen te werken. Je hebt veel geduld nodig, maar als ze de dingen die je verzonnen hebt om met ze te doen leuk vinden, kan je dag niet meer stuk; bij mij in ieder geval niet meer. Voor Teaching en Care moet je veel initiatief tonen, niet bang zijn om fouten te maken en niet te weinig zelfvertrouwen hebben. Ik ben in Thailand geboren en heb van de zusters in het ziekenhuis een Thaise naam gekregen. Het leuke was dat alle kinderen en leraren me bij mijn Thaise naam aanspraken, dat geeft toch wel een klein beetje een band. Mijn gastgezin is super. Pi Nong, onze gastmoeder, is een superkok en het huis is groot en schoon. We zitten vijf tot tien minuten lopen van het centrum van Krabi Town, je zit dus niet ergens in 'the middle of nowhere'. Heerlijk.

 Chane & Jet

Wat ik me heb gerealiseerd is dat ik het heel fijn vind dat ik een aantal maanden in Thailand ben geweest. Persoonlijk zou ik niet minder dan twee maanden hier willen zitten. Je leert namelijk de omgeving, de mensen, de cultuur en het doel van je project veel beter kennen als je hier voor iets langere tijd zit. Daarnaast word ik graag gezelschap gehouden door de mensen om me heen en dat is in de vier maanden hier aardig gelukt. De projecten in Krabi, Thailand zijn zeker aan te raden! Ik ben mezelf hier een aantal keer flink tegen gekomen en ik ben blij dat ik mezelf nu een stuk beter ken. Projects Abroad is een goede organisatie en er wordt goed voor je gezorgd hier. Ik ben naar Thailand gegaan in mijn gap year tussen de middelbare school en de universiteit en voor mij was dit de ultieme ervaring! Projects Abroad bedankt!

Jet Opbroek

(Dutch volunteer)

Je m’appelle Morgane et je viens de Belgique. J’ai terminé mes études de kinésithérapie il y a 6 mois. Ayant terminé mes études a l’âge de 22 ans, j’avais envie de voyager avant de commencer à travailler en Belgique. J’ai également décidé de faire un projet  à l’étranger car je voulais apporter mes connaissances de kinésitherapeute mais également apprendre la maniѐre de s’occuper des enfants handicapés ici en Thaϊlande. De plus, j’avais envie de découvrir la culture Thaϊlandaise. J’ai donc décidé de partir avec Projects Abroad pour un projet de kinésithérapie pendant 2 mois.

Morgane with Puda

Je suis donc arrivée le 30 novembre 2010 à l’aéroport de Krabi. La vie en Thailande est tellement différente qu’en Belgique que je suis contente d’être partie avec une organisation. En cas de besoin, ils sont toujours présents pour m’aider et à mon arrivée a l’aéroport, ils étaient présents pour m’accueillir et pour m’emmener dans ma famille d’accueil. Je suis ravie d’être dans une famille d’accueil car cela me permet de me plonger totalement dans la culture Thaϊ et ils sont vraiment aux petits soins pour moi!

2 jours aprѐs mon arrivée, j’ai commencé mon projet de kinésithérapie au special education center qui est une école accueillant des enfants handicapés (autisme, trisomie 21, retard de développement, sourd, aveugle,…). J’y travaille du lundi au vendredi.

Le matin, je m’occupe des enfants de l’école comme par exemple Huda. Huda est une petite fille de 9 ans qui présente une infirmité motrice cérébrale se traduisant par une spasticité importante des membres supérieurs et inférieurs, une hypotonie du tronc et des troubles de l’équilibre. La station assise est difficile pour Huda et elle ne sait pas tenir debout seule. Le travail de kiné consiste à mobiliser les membres supérieurs et inférieurs, à travailler l’équilibre assis, à améliorer les mouvements volontaires et à travailler la station debout. Pour cela, nous utilisons le matériel présent dans la classe (swiss ball, planche de freeman, table de verticalisation, jeux divers,…). Quand je suis arrivée au centre, j’ai été trѐs étonnée de voir le matériel qu’ils possѐdent. Les donations qu’ils recoivent de diverses organisations (comme par exemple UNICEF) leurs permettent d’être trѐs bien équipé!

Children playing time

L’aprѐs-midi, je vois entre 2 et 5 enfants présentant également des troubles moteurs. June est une petite fille de 7 ans que j’ai eu l’occasion de traiter une fois durant mes 2 mois ici. En effet, elle habite à 60 kilomѐtres de l’école. Comme elle n’a pas beaucoup d’argent, elle ne sait venir que rarement à l’école. Elle fait 2 heures de trajet en mobilette ce qui est impressionnant en sachant que June ne sait pas tenir assise! Pour les enfants qui ne savent venir que rarement au centre, le personnel apprend aux parents les mobilisations qu’ils peuvent faire à la maison et fournissent également une table de verticalisation.

En outre la kinésithérapie, le projet présente d’autres aspects. En effet, les enfants étants dépendants, le personnel a besoin d’aide pour donner à manger, changer les enfants,… Le travail est donc trѐs varié et je n’ai pas le temps de m’embêter!

Puda standing up

L’école organise également des activités extra-scolaires. J’ai eu la chance de participer à 2 jours de camp scout. Les enfants sont venus avec leurs parents et diverses activités étaient proposées (jeux sur la plage, nager dans la mer,…). Je suis vraiment contente d’avoir vu les enfants dans un autre contexte que l’école. Ils étaient souriants et avaient vraiment l’air de s’amuser. Ce genre d’évѐnement est aussi l’occasion pour les enseignants de passer du temps avec les parents et d’avoir plus d’échanges avec eux. Ce fut une réelle réussite!

Projetcs Abroad m’a également permis de rencontrer des personnes venant de partout dans le monde. J’ai donc améliorer mon anglais mais j’ai également créé des liens avec d’autres volontaires avec qui je voyage chaque week-end.

Morgane with one of the teacher

Ces 2 mois ont donc été trѐs enrichissant pour moi et cela va être difficile de quitter ma nouvelle vie ici a Krabi!

Morgane Carlier from Belgium (Special Education Center)

At the Black Crabs Farm

Our Kayak Trip at Bothor – Ao Luk District

Bothor is about 45 minutes north from Ao Nang in the Ao Luk Districk of southern Thailand.  What makes Bothor so famous is because of the many caves they have and some artifacts that were found of the Sea Gypsies many years ago.  Bothor is surrounded by thick-green mangroves trees and small mountains and rocks.  The local people use to cut down the mangrove trees to make them into charcoal to be sold at the market.  Mangrove trees are known to make the best charcoal ever!

We are ready to go...

Today the mangrove trees are protected by the National Forestry and H. M. Queen of Thailand.  She took upon herself to make sure no more mangrove trees are to be cut for charcoals.  She saw the important of protecting the marine wild life and plants that house these animals.  The beauty can be shared and seen by our future generation as well.

Our first Cave

Every year Bothor attracts tourist foreign and domestic in the hundreds.  Today our Conservation volunteers decided it was their turn to visit Bothor.  There were 10 people and we left our guest house at 11:00 AM.  Some of the volunteers have never been on a kayak before and wasn’t sure if they could keep up with the group but they were willing to try any way.

Inside the "Big Head Ghost" Cave

The weather was perfect for kayaking, sun was hot and we even have a little breeze.  We had two people to a kayak and off we went.  Our first challenge was to paddle against the flow of the river because tides were coming in from the ocean.  We paddle about 40 minutes to our first cave.  It was impressive seeing those jagged rock coming downward and you can even see water stains to where water has risen up to.  The further we went inside the cave the cooler the temperature got and you can feel the humidity as well.   In some parts, it was dark but not completely.   We did not see any snakes or monitor lizards just a few fish and black crab at the crab farm.

Christian and Kevin

Then we paddle further to a lagoon where some of the rare orchids can be seen but they are not in bloom yet.  These “jungle orchids” are rare and very expensive.  Those who know the value of these orchids sometime sneak in here to steal them and sell it to the highest bidder.  It is against the law to collect these rare orchids but some people do it because they need to buy medicine for their family.

Painting found of the "Big Head Ghost"

The next stop we came to was the “Big Head Ghost” cave.  This cave is larger than most and you can actually walk around in it.  There are paintings that were done by the “sea gypsies” many hundreds of years ago.  They have also found pottery and skeletons as well.  Some people seem to think they came from different islands around here.  Bats stool are popular to the local people as well because they use it to mix in their fertilizer for farming.  Some local people come into the caves to collect whatever stool they can find.  You may also find swallow birds flying around in some of these caves and their nest are very expensive in today’s markets as well.

"Light at the end of a very dark tunnel"

By this time we must have paddle over 2 hours and yet there are more to see.  We just didn’t realize how much more and what a challenge some of those places would be.  Some of us were hungry and tired due to the lack of sleep the night before.  Our guide wanted to make sure we get our money’s worth so he took us to four different caves!  Normal kayak trip you only get to visit 2 caves, so we thought we were very lucky. 

The lagoon

This time, our guide took us to this other cave that had been used by the local people during the Second World War…to hide from the Japanese soldiers.   The only way you can enter into this cave is during low tidesh.  The entrance of the cave is narrow and small.  You can tell that our guide has been here many times before just because he took us through the dark-narrow-passage safely without a flash light.  All we had with us was our cameras.   We use our camera’s flash to show us the way and it was challenging to say the least.  The person sitting in the front of the kayak has to lie down, while the person in the back paddle.  We follow each other single file, too close at times because we kept running into each other’s kayak.  At one point on our way back out of the cave, somehow one of the kayaks got turned around due to being run into by other kayak and lost their sense of direction.  You can hear voices in the dark…”witch way do I go?” Our guide would say “stay on the right!”  “Witch way is right?”  Then I heard someone laughing and I too started to laugh.  This was something we have never done before, exploring caves like this but we all came out safely even though one of our kayaks came out backward.

Group picture at The Big Head Ghost Cave

Well, this is just one of the many stories I like sharing with you today.  At our Projects Abroad Thailand we touch lives and we also have fun during our time off.  We try to show and take our volunteers as many places as we can, so they can learn about Thailand and Thai culture.  Many volunteers who left have said “it has been one of the best times of my life being in the projects with Projects Abroad!”  Those who are planning to come to Thailand we can’t wait to meet you and we hope you can help us make a difference.

photos can be seen on Projects Abroad Thailand Official Group

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manager/Editor

This is the Thai version of the Indian Ramayana, an allegory of the triumph of good versus evil.  Our hero, Rama is a paragon of virtue – the ideal king.  The villain, or demon king Tosakan.  This epic tale is thought to established after the Thais occupied Angkor in the 15^th century.  It has been an inspiration for painting and classical drama.

The main characters of Ramakien:

Rama – Depicted as deep green face, is an incarnation of the god Visbnu Rama’s purpose is to defeat the demon race whose power threatens the gods.

Sita – The daughter of Tosakan’s consort and incarnation of the goddess Laksbmi, remains loyal to Rama while held captive by the evil Tosakan.

Lakshman – Rama’s loyal younger brother, is often shown in gold.  He accompanies Rama into exile in the forest.

Hanuman – The white monkey, son of the wind god, is totally devoted to Rama, but still finds time to seduce beautiful women.

Tosakan – The demon king of Longka and have “ten necks, heads and arms”.  In the Indian version of the Ramayana he is called Ravanna.

The story of Ramakien:

Rama, the heir to the throne of Ayodhya, was sent into exile for 14 years by his stepmother.  His wife, Sita and brother Lakshman went with him into the deep forest.  Tosakan, the demon king of Longka (Sri Lanka), abducted Sita and carries her off to his island kingdom hoping to marry her.  The brothers pursued him.  Hanuman, the white monkey god, volunteers his service, together they won the alliance of two monkey kings, Sukrip and Chompupan, each with a powerful army.  They march south to the coast opposite Longka.  The monkey armies build a road of stone through the sea and lay siege to Longka.  Many victorious battles are waged against Tosakan’s demon armies.  Finally, Rama defeated Tosakan and killed him.  Rama then crowns his ally, Piphek (Tosakan’s banished brother) as King of Longka and returns with Sita to resume his rign in Ayodha.

The Ramakien murals at Wat Phra Kaeo or “The Emerald Buddha” is beautifully depicted through a series of 178 colorful murals, dating from the late 18^th century.

Young artist touching up the old picture.

These men in costumes performed in the Ramakien story at

The National Theatre of Thailand in Bangkok.

My father is the man in the far right and he worked at the Thai Department of Fine Arts.

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manager/Editor

Making a picture with resources from nature

The Special Education Center

Today 20 January 2011 The Special Education Center organized a workshop for their students and parents at Nopparatthara Beach.  Their staff set up 4 different stations for their children and parents to go through.  First station is for “hand coordination”.  The second station “language” usage. The third station “Catching and guessing” game. The last station “dressing up” or personal care and putting on clothes.

Passing the water balloons game without getting it pop by one of their teacher

At each station there are games to help each students and parents to work together in completing the task.  Staff was there ready and helping to bridge the gap between the two.  Music and drum sound can be heard as they play their games.  Passerby such as tourist stop to look and see what the children are doing and I could see smiles from their faces.  What a beautiful day to have this activities!

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manager/Editor

Girls Dorm

“Survey Job”

The many tasks that I get to do for my work include “surveying” for different locations that Projects Abroad can help in the different communities.  Today I had the opportunity to visit one of the schools in Ao Luk District.  The Prateeptum School Foundation have about 100 students from grade 1 – 10.  The school have been funded by parents who use to go to school here in the “Lam Sak” area.  The majority of the students here are poor children and their parents either work as fishermen or farming.  When I mention “farming” I mean rubber plantations or fruit trees.  Many of the families cannot afford to send their children away to school.

Mr. Sak (our Coordinator) Punch(Projects Abroad Staff) and Mr. Tweesak (Teacher)

This Prateeptum School is a Muslim School that teaches Muslim religion.  All the money comes from donations and people in the area of “Lam Sak”.  The school was built about eight month ago but only in operation for six months.   There are dormitories for girls and boys to stay for children who families live too far. 

The purpose for today’s visit was to lay ground work for our visit in February 2011 for our Social Out Reach.  I will keep you posted on our work once we completed it.

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manger/Editor

"Our Cup Runneth Over"

After the National Children Day at Baan Klong Hang School we had some gifts that we did not use, so one of our volunteer Jet Opbroek suggested that we take them to her school at Naichong Mittaparp 123 School.  I thought that was such a good idea, since we did not participate with them on the Children Day.

Candice Owens and Anna Tolstrup Christiansen came along with me to present these gifts and visit Jet at her placement as well.  Both girls have been to this school before but have never seen a class room in session, since they both are in the Conservation Project in Ao Nang.

The Head Master and Teacher Pet were so happy to see that we had returned again to help their school!  They haven’t forgotten the Christmas Program we did for their children.  Candice, Anna, Jet and I were so happy to see how much joy we brought to their school children.

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manager/Editor

Weekly Meeting in Krabi Town

The main goal for this weekly meeting in Krabi Town is so that I can meet with our Community Volunteers and let them know about our upcoming activities.  We also discuss ideas that we all can do for our Social Out Reach and games.

Projects Abroad Office is located in Ao Nang and sometimes it’s hard for our volunteers to travel to meet me, so I wanted to make sure that we can still meet.  This week is our 3^rd meeting now and it has been a lot of fun.  I would drive on my motorbike from J Guest House to Krabi Town about 25 minutes away.  We would meet for an hour depending on how much we have to talk.  Sometimes volunteers have questions regarding where to go for their days off or even questions regarding visa extension.  It is a time where we can relax and enjoy each other company.  It sure is a lot easier for me to travel to meet our volunteers than they coming to the office.

This week we discussed about games we can do for our Friday Night Get-together.  Community volunteers have many excellent ideas to add.  Many of them are enthusiastic and excited about the fun things we will be doing too. 

Those who are coming to do projects in Thailand please be prepare to come with ideas because I will be asking you for your help for sure.

 

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manager/Editor

One of the Old Capitals of Thailand

In 1350 Ayutthaya was founded by the U Thong King Ramathibodi I.  King Ramathilodi recognized the strategic advantages of the site being that it enclosed by three rivers, allowing the city a natural defensive “wall” and providing water for a rapidly growing population.  To some people back then compared Ayutthaya to be at the height of it’s’ power in the 17^th century to Paris, London and Venice.  There were over 400 Buddhist monasteries built and population grew over the 417 years!

Ayutthaya fell in April 1767 after a 15-month siege and was destroyed by the Burmese after the constant threat of invasion.  The beauty that continues to remain even after the fall can still be seen by visitors coming to Ayutthaya year after year.  I’ve been here so many times and I can still find new things to see.  For example I have never noticed this particular Buddha sculpture above the up-right Buddha carved figure that are in a reclining position before.  It’s figure even though not perfect any more but the figure and lines that you see are still very clear of how beautiful it once were.

The many pagodas that are still standing reveals the many hours of work that have been put into building and designing.  The entire city was once a magnificent place to see and live.  This invasion has hurt Thai people and the pain can still be felt by many visitors till this day.  The many Buddha’s head were cut off by the Burmese and some stolen by the treasure hunters to export to other countries that offer highest prices.  Thai Government does not permit selling or exporting of any artifacts and Buddhas from Thailand.  Those who broke the law will be prosecuted severely.  The newer Buddhas that are sold in the market can be taken out of the country but it must be declared at customs before you leave the country.

This is a must visit place if you choose to come to Thailand because of its rich history and many beautiful structures that still remain to explore and see.

Photos can be seen on Chane – Social Manager – Thailand on facebook.

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manager/Editor

 

Damnoen Saduak

“Venice of the East” is what Damnoen Saduak has been known for by Tourist who had come to visit this market in the earlier days.  This market is about 62 miles west of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.  You can catch a bus that leaves from the Southern Bus Terminal every 20 minutes or drive there.  Road Signs are clearly written in English and Thai.  If you used the road map you can easily find it.

I’ve taken our volunteers here many times and with each time there’s always something new to see.  While I was on my Christmas holidays last year I took some of my friends there and I can’t believe how much bigger it has grown.  The canals are longer but not as wide, so the old feeling still remain the same.  Those who like to shop would find it a paradise and those who enjoy eating could not get enough food.  In the videos and pictures you can see there are more local people visiting this market than foreign tourists.  It’s not far from the city and Thai people like to come for good food and the old-Thai-ambiance.

The boats start from 200 baht and higher depending on what kind of boat you want to be in.  I prefer the paddle canoe boat that can hold about 6 to 8 people comfortably.  The larger long-tail boat could fit up to 15 people but also takes a lot of room in the canal.  Traffic jam often occurs during rush hour and that’s between 10:00 to 12:00 pm.  How well the boat drivers maneuver their vessels are amazing to watch!  Especially in tight canals and with so many boats everywhere it gets chaotic and nerve-recking.

This is a must visit place for those who wish to visit Thailand.  You will enjoy the experience far more than I can describe it to you.

Photos can be seen on Chane - Social Manager Thailand on facebook

Chananan Sutsadang

Social Manager