Andaman Discoveries

right
Andaman Discoveries

Andaman Discoveries (AD) is a tourism social enterprise in Kuraburi, Phang Nga Province, Thailand. It is the continuation of North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR), a non-profit organization based in Thailand that provides assistance to tsunami-affected villages in the north Andaman Sea region. Andaman Discoveries has assumed the work of NATR, fostering long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability and generating viable economic opportunities via training and marketing.

History

The Boxing Day Tsunami devastated many coastal villages along the Andaman coast of Thailand on December 26, 2004. The North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR), the parent organization of Andaman Discoveries, was formed by Bodhi Garrett in early 2005 to help villagers to rebuild their villages and livelihood. A committed network of volunteers and donors emerged to support the reconstruction process. NATR implemented about 120 projects in 22 communities, with the emphasis on direct cooperation with the villagers, rather than imposing what outsiders think is good for them.[1]

Eighteen months later, Andaman Discoveries came into existence as a continuation of NATR's community development work. It started from the villagers' consideration that community based tourism could be seen as a good opportunity to generate additional income without having to give up their traditional ways of living. Training and supports were provided to the villagers while Andaman Discoveries helps to promote and facilitate cultural exchanges between villagers and tourists / volunteers.[2]

Mission

AD supports community-led development by acting as a bridge to visitors and volunteers through sponsorship of education, conservation, and cultural empowerment.[3]

Projects

With the help of volunteers and visitors, Andaman Discoveries has been able to organize and sustain several in-village projects using existing funds and contributions to the Community Fund.[4] These projects include:

Sustainable Livelihoods

left
Ban Talae Nok's Soap Story

Conservation

Community Development

Partners

AD's partners include research firms, educational institutions, governmental branches, and NGOs, with names such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rotary International, University of California, Los Angeles, InterVol (University of Birmingham),[5] and The Mangrove Action Project.[6]

Awards

Andaman Discoveries has been recognized locally and internationally for its works. This includes:

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.northandamantsunamirelief.com/
  2. ↑ http://www.northandamantsunamirelief.com/current.html#current01a
  3. ↑ Andaman Discoveries Official Website
  4. ↑ True Travellers - Details of Andaman Discoveries' Projects
  5. ↑ InterVol Website - Details of Thailand Project in Map Section
  6. ↑ http://mangroveactionproject.org/
  7. ↑ http://www.to-do-contest.org/presse2011-en.html
  8. ↑ http://www.wildasia.org/main.cfm/RTI/RTA10_Finalists
  9. ↑ http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/previous/2009/9/old_schol_thai
  10. ↑ http://www.seedinit.org/en/news/item/20-andaman-discoveries-chosen-as-the-2009-best-green-tour-operator-in-thailand.html
  11. ↑ http://www.seedinit.org/en/awards/winners-database/2008%20Awards/from-relief-to-self-reliance.html
  12. ↑ http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/2008-global-vision-awards/2
  13. ↑ http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs034/1101985644166/archive/1102135655230.html#LETTER.BLOCK7
  14. ↑ http://www.responsibletravel.com/awards/winners/2007.htm

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, September 24, 2012. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.