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From Ratatouille to Rice Noodles
Scrumptious greetings from Laura!
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I've been working with Andaman Discoveries for six months now, and have put together this edition of the newsletter. I love being here because everyday I have the chance to interact with people from all around the world, while surrounded by the most amazing Thai people and culture.
One of my favorite things about Kuraburi is the food. As a native of France, delicious cuisine is in my blood, and every week I join Chef Tu for a cooking lesson where I am dazzled by the beautiful art of preparing colourful and tasty Thai dishes. I have included one of our favourite recipes in this newsletter.
While delicious food is practically synonymous with Thailand, not everybody here is so fortunate. Andaman Discoveries works with
a Burmese Learning Center where some children subsist only on candy and dry instant noodles. I sincerely hope you will read about our child nutrition project below and consider helping.
Please join us here for a meal soon. In the meantime, enjoy reading.
Laura
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Nutrition for Needy Children
School Lunch Project |
 The 90 students from the Burmese Learning Center in Kuraburi need at least one healthy meal per day.
While a few receive a packed lunch, many eat sweets
for breakfast and dry instant noodles for lunch. The concerned teachers at the center have requested
our help in providing lunch for the children. With barely enough funding to cover teacher's salaries, the school cannot provide a
food budget for these children. The center needs our help to make sure the kids have
a healthy diet.
You can make a difference in the quality
of life and general health of the children. Please read more about this program. It only costs $50 per day to feed 90 children -- that's less than a dollar a day per child!
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Taking Root
Youth Conservation in Action |
 Concern is growing amongst villagers in Ban Talae Nok that outside investors might try
to illegally reclaim the mangrove restoration area near the
village. To demonstrate the value of this conservation program, Pink, the village Youth Group's all-star leader, organized an overnight camp to visit and survey the restored habitat.
The survey found that new mangrove species are finding purchase without human help. Meanwhile, replanted Nipa palm leaves are proving useful for making thatched roofing.
Full Article | Comment |
Scholarships
Keeping Kids at School |
 We recently met with each one of the 129 students in our scholarship program for a yearly progress review. "The scholarship helps me achieve my dreams, because with an education, I will have a way to make them come true" said scholarship recipient Chanthip Sansab of Tung Dap.
Andaman Discoveries scholarships provide financial support for underprivileged children like Chanthip, allowing them to complete high school. The scholarship helps offset expenses like school uniforms, transportation to school, extra books, and extra tuition for classes like computer studies. If you're interested in sponsoring the education of a student in the North Andaman region, please contact Andaman Discoveries to learn how you can become a donor, and read the full article for more details about scholarships and the recent round of interviews.
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Critical Acclaim
Ban Talae Nok on TripAdvisor |
 Have you visited Ban Talae Nok village as part of an Andaman Discoveries tour? Andaman Discoveries and the villagers alike proudly announce that Ban Talae Nok is now on TripAdvisor, where three people have already given the picturesque village top marks! We encourage you to visit the TripAdvisor site, read the reviews, and provide your own feedback.
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Dressed for Success
Volunteers help outfit an orphanage! |
 Many of you might know the Southern Thailand orphanage, which was was founded to care for 30 children from southern Thailand who lost their families in the tsunami. But ask anyone who has ever visited or volunteered there, and they will tell you that it's a special place where everyone finds love and smiles.
Khun Root and his wife, who oversee the orphanage, are extremely grateful to the many volunteers who have been part in this program through active volunteering. Because of your donations, Andaman Discoveries raised enough money to supply the children with new school uniforms this year. |
Summer Study Program
Open Minds and Helping Hands |
 In July, Andrew and Janice joined our summer study program for a month of experiential education and hands-on volunteering. The conservation-themed program included organic gardening in Ban Talae Nok, planting mangrove trees, helping control riverbank erosion, and helping with seagrass and turtle conservation at Ban Lion.
Andrew and Janice have now returned to the University of California at Los Angeles, where they are sharing the knowledge and experience gained during their time with Andaman Discoveries. Thanks to them both for their enthusiasm and excellent community service.
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A Farewell of Charms
Goodbye Mimi and Jenny |
 Mimi joined Andaman Discoveries in 2008, shortly after completing her Master's degree in Environmental Studies. During more than two years in Kuraburi, Mimi developed new village tours, oversaw financial planning, and steered the organization towards self-sufficiency. Winning the SEED award in 2008 was due in large part to her tireless devotion.
A different love finally called in the end, and Mimi left Andaman Discoveries this year to marry her sweetheart, Phillip. Thank you Mimi for all of your dedication, support, and friendship! We wish you all the best.
 Jenny, known as "The Jeneral" during her time in Kuraburi, spent over five months working with the Andaman Discoveries team. Her spirit of adventure, hard work, and boundless enthusiasm were appreciated by all who crossed her path in Kuraburi.
Jenny focused on program development and marketing, helping us outreach to new guests and communities. Her field work included visits to Ban Talae Nok, piloting homestays in Ban Lion, and forging a new hiking trail in Nai Tui. We hope to see her back soon; everybody in Kuraburi misses her!
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Committed to the Cause
Nan reflects on one year of service |
 Hello there, my name is Nan and I have been working for Andaman Discoveries for just over one year now. I got the opportunity to come to Kuraburi after working for a large organization in Bangkok. I thought I would only be here for a few months, but after learning about Andaman Discoveries' work and spending time with the staff and villagers, I found the idea of leaving very difficult.
Working with the villagers feels good, and every day I am happy to come to work. Although I am Thai, I come from northern Thailand, and life here is very different. Every day I learn something new about my people, proving that Andaman Discoveries has something to offer everyone!
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Cooking Class
Recipes from Laura |
 As part of my internship at Andaman Discoveries, I decided to take language classes to improve my Thai and also get more familiar with the culture. Inspired by the role food plays in Thai culture, my teacher and I decided to add cooking to the class. Chittri "Tu" Phetcharat is a great teacher and an amazing chef. Visitors to Kuraburi may recall eating at her restaurant: Cucina Andaburi. Every Tuesday we cook beautiful and colorful food, and then share a meal together with the Andaman Discoveries team and friends from Kuraburi.
Here's one of the mouth-watering recipes I've learned here. It's called kanoom jean, a traditional dish from southern Thailand:
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Copyright
2010 Andaman Discoveries
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Why Us?
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Andaman Discoveries' internationally recognized community development and tourism projects make a real difference. Our International and bilingual staff have extensive knowledge, allowing guests to enjoy a true cultural exchange.
We have developed comprehensive teaching materials for those planning to volunteer in a school. And for folks new to Thailand we can arrange regional transport and accommodations, and even offer advice on traveling (our staff loves to explore the country, too!).
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Stay Connected!
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"This has been one of the best weeks i have ever spent traveling, Andaman Discoveries and the communities we visited are inspiring in terms of their passion and understanding of what is important to protect and to develop in their community and environment, i can't wait to return, especially to visit my family i stayed with, thank you so much for this wonderful experience"
Becky, Ban Lion, July 2010
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"The trip was fantastic, above beyond anything i expected. Such a great variety of places and activities. Feels like seeing the real Thailand"
Kate, Yaowawit School, June 2010
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"One of my best holidays ever. I totally the emotions of negative impact of western tourism on such a complex unspoilt and beautiful country"
Alan, Homestay Muang Kluang
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