Discover Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability in Thailand
My Travel Story
I am passionate about my community and involved in many projects. Recently, I helped start the Climate Reality Project Bellingham Chapter with fellow Climate Reality Leaders. Look out for our Chapter Launch Party January 11th (right before I leave for Thailand) with the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy! I have also been in a leadership position for three years for a local music festival, The Subdued Stringband Jamboree. I enjoy playing music and dancing, and am part of a local dance troupe, The Rhythm Belles.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and why this program is important to me.
Why this Program Matters to Me:
Academic:
I have learned much about sustainability from the western perspective and this is an amazing opportunity to learn from a completely different perspective: indigenous people in a developing country across the world whose survival depends on the health of the earth. I am excited to experience a community with common values regarding the earth. Mindfulness is a growing trend in this country, but I want to immerse myself in a community where mindfulness is part of everyday life.
Many of us know the gravity of climate damage, but because we do not immediately feel its effects, we more easily ignore them. The consequences are already being suffered by many of the world’s population, and I am eager to learn how some of these people overcome climate damage and express their resilience.
Career:
I am a sustainability advocate that creatively engages people to get involved with climate damage issues. I aim to amplify courageous acts of service and stories of hope through video. I would love to explore and build relationships with people and cultures around the world, and amplify their stories to help them have a bigger impact.
I am involved with and plan to work for environmental organizations that help preserve, mitigate, and enhance natural environment. This study abroad opportunity will be a hands-on, in the field experience with grassroots organizations. Throughout my career, I will work with organizations that fund projects similar to what we will do in Thailand. This experience will provide me with a deeper understanding of indigenous peoples’ way of life and a fuller perspective to communicate on behalf of organizations that collaborate with them.
Paying it Forward:
My hope is to take this experience from act of altruism to a choice for personal enrichment which I intend to share with my community. It’s hard to know what I’ll gain and learn while I’m there, and what I can bring back to share. But, I know I will be so inspired and have lots of ideas while I’m in Thailand. When I return, I will present my experience and what I have gained to the public at a TMI event in Bellingham. Also, as our final project for the course, we will create a Social Action Project Plan in which we will develop a pay-it-forward type of action, service, or product inspired by our experience in Thailand.
Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability Program:
The Organization:
The study abroad program is coordinated by The Institute for Village Studies. Their approach is bottom-up, meaning they believe local communities are the experts in their own community development. The Institute’s role is to strengthen and support projects lead by local leaders and organizations. I believe this is the best way to effectively support developing nations.
Key Features:
- Explore issues of sustainability and social justice in Thailand, with a focus on indigenous and village knowledge and practice
- Work with grassroots organizations on community development projects
- Learn about sustainable fishing and conservation with the Moken, one of the few remaining sea nomadic communities worldwide
- Teach English in a Karen village school
- Trek in the jungles of Kui Buri National Park, home to over 300 wild elephants
Jan 9-13: Intensive pre-departure orientation in Bellingham. We will gain a basic knowledge of the cultural dynamics, religious traditions, historical patterns, and contemporary issues that contribute to the identities of the communities we visit. As well as learning about ethical travel and examining the ethical and practical questions raised by traveling, working, studying, reporting, and volunteering internationally.
Jan 17: Arrive in Bangkok.
Jan 18-21: Acclimate in Chiang Mai.
Jan 22-Feb 4: Volunteer with IMPECT (Inter Mountain Education and Culture in Thailand Association) at a Mawwakee Village school. Learn about the Karen culture and their struggles to keep it alive.
Feb 6: Travel to Kanchanaburi.
Feb 7-Feb 16: Staying in homestays at Ban Phrat Tat Village. Here we will learn from local community member and immerse ourselves in the culture and language.
Feb 18-28: Ban TapTawan is Moken village. The Moken are one of the last sea-nomadic tribes in the world. We will learn about their traditional way of life and how it is threatened by climate damage and coastal development.
Mar 2-4: Trek Kui Buri National Park, and hopefully see some elephants!
Mar 6: Depart Bangkok/arrive Seattle.
Mar 12-23: Post-Trip Seminar/Public Presentations.
Thank You!
I am so grateful for your support! Anything you can contribute will be a great help. I’m also looking for some non-monetary contributions, things I can borrow for the trip such as a backpacking pack, steri-pen, mosquito net, platypus water bottle, etc. These items are posted in the "Adventure Registry" section of this page. If you have any of these items, please let me know, and I can put your name down as a sponsor!
Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I would greatly appreciate your help with getting the word out as well! Please share my link (link) to your Facebook Timeline. And stay tuned for updates and more fun details about the program!
Cheers!
Madelynne Nore
Updates
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Meet The Moken People Of Thailand And Myanmar
Did you know Moken children have the ability to make their pupils smaller and change their lens shape to see underwater? Seals and dolphins have a similar adaptation!
Follow the link below to learn more about the Moken people:
http://www.facebook.com/MadelynneNore/media_set?set=a.10155922191599269.1073741865.513964268&type=3
More Travel Information
Adventure Registry
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Steri-Pen
0Meike- Granted
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Platypus Water Bottle
0Anna Luna- Granted
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Universal Power Adapter
0Dana- Granted
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Mosquito Net
0Alice- Granted
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Solar Charger
0 -
Backpacking Pack
0KJ- Granted
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Day Pack
0KJ- Granted
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Travel Pillow
0Paula- Granted
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Light Sleeping Bag
0Meike- Granted
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Campaign Ended
$ 950 USD
Total Donation Received-
32%
Funded -
$ 2,955 USD
Goal Amount -
0
Days Left
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Cost Calculator
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Program Fee
$ 2,180
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Books/ Text and Study Materials
$ 100
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Passport/ Visa/ Residence Permit
$ 75
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Immunization/ Vaccine
$ 200
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Personal
$ 400
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Donor Rewards
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10 USD
Digital Picture from Thailand and thank you for your donation.
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25 USD
Postcard from Thailand with a written thank you.
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50 USD
What represents Bellingham or the Pacific Northwest to you? I will give a print of this to a Thai person or family.
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75 USD
Smoked salmon is a great Northwest staple; share this gift with the local Thai people.
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100 USD
Treasure from Thailand. I'll bring you back a special souvenir from my travels.
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200 USD
I will send you a postcard thank you, give a local art gift to a Thai native or family, and bring you a treasure!
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Funders
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Roy Staples Funded $ 100 USD
Jan 09, 2018 -
Heather McGrail Funded $ 10 USD
Jan 08, 2018 -
Anonymous Funded $ 50 USD
Jan 07, 2018 -
Mark Harris Funded $ 20 USD
Jan 07, 2018 -
Dani Compain Funded $ 25 USD
Jan 04, 2018 -
Michelle Funded $ 25 USD
Jan 02, 2018 -
Douglas Spangler Funded $ 100 USD
Dec 19, 2017 -
Eli Pucci Funded $ 25 USD
Dec 11, 2017 -
Linda Pollino Funded $ 100 USD
Dec 10, 2017 -
Linda Cannon Funded $ 100 USD
Dec 09, 2017 -
Dominique Coulet du Gard Funded $ 25 USD
Dec 06, 2017 -
Rachel Gauthier Funded $ 25 USD
Dec 02, 2017 -
Douglas Spangler Funded $ 100 USD
Dec 01, 2017 -
Bailey Funded $ 15 USD
Nov 30, 2017 -
Alice Weyrauch Funded $ 100 USD
Nov 23, 2017 -
Meike Weyrauch Funded $ 100 USD
Nov 21, 2017 -
Anonymous Funded $ 30 USD
Nov 16, 2017
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