protect and respect the planet
A GOOD SCHOOL
Most travellers come away from Myanmar with a deep affection for the people and the desire to help improve their lives.
Jyotish Nordstrom felt the same way when he visited Yangon in 2004. Noting the lack of quality education, he put his travels on hold and began training teachers.
Today, his volunteer-run pre-school programme offers literacy and hope to the next generation. With two locations and parents asking for more classes, Growing Together (5 Theingi Street, Thaketa Township, www.growingtogethermyanmar.org) needs children’s books, clothing, school supplies, educational toys, and more.
By donating just a few precious books, sponsoring a local teacher, or spending an afternoon with four-year-olds, you can help make early education available to some of Yangon’s poorest families.
“The global scientific consensus is now as strong as you will ever find on any issue. Secondly, there’s a new voice in the debate – Mother Nature.”
– Al Gore, former US Vice President on global warming. His recent film An Inconvenient Truth received an Oscar for best documentary feature |
PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES |
DIVE RIGHT
With heightened awareness of this year’s International Year of the Reef (IYOR), you can be a positive force for conservation by going scuba diving with members of Green Fins (www.greenfins-thailand.org, watch out for the Green Fins certificate at diving centres). More than 100 Thai diving centres are now members, and all members must adhere to a code of behaviour in their diving activities, as well as take part in monitoring and clean-ups of reefs.
“People should also refrain from buying wind chimes or souvenirs made from dead coral or seashells,” says Niphon Phongsuwan, leader of Green Fins. “Collectors of shells oft en break coral to dislodge shells, and dead coral is home to small creatures.” Read more about marine conservation in O.K. Coral.
SAMUI GOES GREEN
A new initiative known as the Green Island Project will address urgent ecological issues on Koh Samui by supporting conservation projects and programmes. Formed by concerned residents, the aim is to protect the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
A workshop on EM (effective micro-organisms), a powerful all-natural cleaning agent which uses no harmful chemicals and works by neutralising bacteria, marked the unofficial launch of the project at Tamarind Springs Spa.
Director of the spa, Shelley Poplak believes the time is ripe for changes. “We want to inspire visitors and residents on Samui into eco-action before it’s too late,” she says. Email your green ideas or pledges of support to info@thegreenislandproject.org
