As if the Earth Matters

Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand using As if the Earth Matters!

asiftheearthmatters — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:38:44 +0000

My name is Nicole and I am currently a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Province of Chumphon, Thailand. I wanted to thank you for your many books on the beautiful nature in Thailand, but especially for your book As If The Earth Matters.

I recently purchased and read the book in anticipation of the annual “English Camp” we have for the students in my community. Your book was an invaluable resource for my planning for and subsequent success of the camp.

The camp consisted of one hundred and fifty students ages eleven to fourteen, six Peace Corps Volunteers, seven Thai English teachers and local government office staff. This year the camp was held at a King’s Royal Project area in Amphur Pathiu, Chumphon where I live.

The project area is located on the beach and holds the only sand dunes left in Thailand along with a costal forest eco-system. It was the perfect opportunity to turn the standard english camp into our first “Environmental English Camp!”

After reading your book I was able to plan over ten EFL lessons based on the games and activities. Greet a Tree, Simple Bear (adapted to be Monkey) Necessities, Beach Life Bingo and Bear, Bug, Frog were some of the favorites, but we also used Web of Life, Duplication, People to People, Snail Trail and Echo Location.

Using these games and activities was an opportunity to show the students, Peace Corps Volunteers and Thai teachers that you can make EFL lessons that have a deeper meaning for the students. Each lesson had a “Reflection” section at the end where the Thai teacher would speak to the groups in Thai about the eco-concepts and deeper meaning of the lesson.

The sessions were really enjoyed by the students, volunteers and the teachers. It gave everyone an opportunity to see that we can teach English and have fun and integrative lessons about nature and the environment. In this land of palm oil and rubber trees, reminding students that diversity and care of the land is vital to sustaining not just the environment, but also their livelihood.

We also had a a tree planting at the end of our four day camp to reinforce our role as “reforest-ors” of this land. Thank you for publishing such a wonderful resource for those looking to get students outside and into nature.

My previous experience before joining the Peace Corps was in business, so this is all new to me. After living in Thailand for almost two years now I have found a new passion for the Earth and a desire to educate others of the crucial role we play in keeping it healthy and sustainable.

This Camp was a highlight of my Peace Corps service, and something I hope to work more with in the future.

I am recommending to the Peace Corps headquarters in Thailand that they obtain copies of your book and make it a resource for all volunteers. All the volunteers that came to help loved it and wanted a copy themselves. I have attached some photos for you from the camp. Thank you again, you really have inspired and reassured me to pursue a life towards conservation of nature, activism and education of others.

Best,
Nicole Lemmo
US Peace Corps Thailand
Community Based Organizational Development Volunteer

EARCOS Pre-Conference Barge Workshop Schedule (repost)

asiftheearthmatters — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:42:35 +0000

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE BARGE

Discovering the Life-Blood of Thailand
March 26-28, 2012
Lynda Rolph & Kenny Peavy- Bangkok, Thailand
Traidhos Three-Generation Barge & EARCOS Teachers Conference
US$110 (includes lodging on the barge, all food and teaching materials)

PLEASE REGISTER WITH YOUR SCHOOL or EARCOS TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE

* detailed information including a list of things to brings, pre-workshop readings and a list of possible activities will be sent to participants

Monday March 26, 2012- On Monday we will meet in the Shangri-La Hotel Lobby, board the barge and head north towards our destination at Bang Sai Bay.

3:00pm- Meet at Shangri-La Lobby & Welcome to Barge
3:15pm- Introduction to facilities & staff, icebreakers, creating community
5:00pm- Activity Session
6:30pm- Dinner
7:15 pm- Activity Session

Tuesday March 27, 2012- On Tuesday we will visit a market then begin our journey south back to the Shangri-La Hotel

8:00am- Breakfast
9:00am- Activity Session
10:15am- Break
10:30am- Activity Session
11:45am- Intro to Floating Market
12:00pm- Pathum Thani Market Shopping
1:15pm- Lunch
2:00pm- Activity Session
3:15pm- Break
4:15pm- Activity Session
6:30pm- Dinner
7:15 pm- Activity Session

Wed March 28, 2012- On Wednesday we will debrief and head to the regular EARCOS Conference!

8:00am-   Breakfast
9:00am-   Activity Session
12:00pm- Lunch
1:15pm- Final reflection and closing
2:45pm-   Pier Drop off at Shangri La

For information please contact Kenny Peavy: earthmattersinfo@gmail.com

Food for thought….

asiftheearthmatters — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:29:25 +0000

Check out The Yum List which features various organic, vegetarian and eco-friendly, socially responsible places to eat in Malaysia and SE Asia!

http://theyumlist.blogspot.com/

Environmental Education Workshop in Bali!

asiftheearthmatters — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:25:34 +0000

Want to know more about service learning? Environmental Education? Local Ecology and Natural History of SE Asia?

Come to Bali and experience it first hand!

For more information and registration contact:
info@odysseyinstitute.com or call Lyndle: +62 (0)857 9266 7006

Workshop dates (2 dates available!): January 2-5, 2012 OR June 25 – 28, 2012

Location: West Bali National Park
Cost: US$599 (includes workshop fees, instructional materials, lunch and dinner!)

Itinerary:
Day 1: Ecology Basics & Marine Ecosystems
Day 2: Birds, Forests and Bugs!
Day 3: Service Learning- Taking Action!
Day 4: Leadership Skills

I promise you this!

asiftheearthmatters — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:04:51 +0000

It is not enough to fight for the land it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it is still there. …… Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to your body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this…. you will outlive the bastards.

- Edward Abbey

It’s not enough to fight for the place.. this land.. this Earth.. we must get out and enjoy it…. run rampant and run amok in the deep and burly mud of our existence… that is the only way we will truly now who and what we are…the rest.. its just 0′s and 1′s translated on this screen…

- Kenny Peavy

Life on the Traidhos Three-Generation Barge!

asiftheearthmatters — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:00:19 +0000

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EARCOS WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

EARCOS Traidhos Barge Workshop Schedule

asiftheearthmatters — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:05:39 +0000

Discovering the Life-Blood of Thailand
March 26-28, 2012
Lynda Rolph & Kenny Peavy- Bangkok, Thailand
Traidhos Three-Generation Barge & EARCOS Teachers Conference
US$100 (includes lodging on the barge, all food and teaching materials)