|
 |
Mon. 07-06-09
|
|
Megan (Glitter Girl) - Organic Farm, Laos
|
Hey Everybody!!!
Here's my update from the road... In December, I left for Laos to go volunteer on Mr. T's Organic Farm that we sponsor through WookieFoot Charities. I had no idea what I was going to be doing or what I was in for. Teaching english at Phoudideng village in Laos was so rewarding and made my journey to Laos the trip of a lifetime. Mr. T. (who also provides transportation for 60 children who otherwise would not be able to attend school) set up the English class for the kids of the three different ethnic groups of PDD village. This not only brings these groups closer together but also allows them get in touch with volunteers from all over the world. Everynight after class, I would get bombarded with 60 children running at me all wanting to shake my hand and say "thank you teacher, thank you teacher". And then they would want to know if I was coming back the next day and the next day. The children were so friendly and eager to learn. They wanted to speak English because they know it might be their only chance to get a better education. When I was brought into their homes I was shocked by how little they had and yet how happy they were. They sleep in a one room shacks on the floor, and nobody has indoor plumbing or electricity... but they would have given me the shirt off their backs!
   
The children of Mr. T's community (or should I say "his" children) are not the only aspect that Mr. T is focusing on. It is amazing how creative and innovative he is in order to preserve the natural environment, provide jobs for the villagers, and raises the standard of living for the entire the community. Building houses out of mud bricks to save trees from being cut, and providing an organic seed bank for local farmers to reduce the need of importing fruits and veggies are just a few of the examples of his brilliance. Mr. T has fought in the war, lived in caves for 5 years, has 18 legally adopted children, and started this organic farm with just the seed of a thought in his brain. He has has turned it into a chance for others to come bask in his wisdom while making the world a better place for the children. Mr. T is a hero to many in the community, and he is now my new hero as well. He makes my everyday trivial bullshit feel pointless, because what he IS DOING really makes a difference in this world. I have seen first hand at how much he has accomplished with so little money. Just ideas that he has manifested with nothing. Being the most humble man I have ever met, i will always cherish my experience in Laos.
To know more about Mr. T's Organic Farm and what you can do to help, CLICK HERE... www.laofarm.org
Love,
Megan
ACTIVATE!!!
 |
|
Holy cow! India is an incredible and mystical place. Every corner exploding with magik, snake charmers, sadhus, 6 armed elephants and holy men. However India in all it's splendor is also chaotic dysfunctional and extremely overwhelming at times. I am in amazement at how it functions.it is truly a miracle. Gridlock traffic, streets overflowing with cars, motorbikes, rickshaws, elephants, and the ever present sacred cow walking haphazardly thru the middle of all of it.There are Masses of people living in tent shacks along side of the road, people bathing in sewers,and a line of dirty little children begging for food. It never stops.The poverty here is astounding and the social problems even more shocking. But in the true nature of India just when you don't think you can handle one more vision of despairity you are blessed with something beautiful.
I am living and working in the state of Rajasthan in a small desert village 30 kilometers from the Pakistan border. The scorching desert is dotted with scences of men in hot pink turbans riding camels and woman drapped in day- glo saris carrying heavy buckets of water. Life is definetly not easy here. Rajasthan is considered the most socialy backwards state in all of India still participating in such horrendous practices such as bride burning,child marriage and female infanticide( the murdering of female babies) . The oppression of women here is unbelievable. Even high caste educated woman are not exempt from arranged marriages and a lifetime ruled by man. I don't understand it. It makes me really angry but this is India, I can not change it so I do my best to not judge it. I don't always succeed.
I am working in two different schools, in the morning I teach first grade at an all boys school and in the afternoon I am teaching at a new school for child laborers. Before this school was opened these children some as young as 6 yrs old were working as much as 14 hours a day. Although this school is only a dirt floor with a straw roof it is a place for them to come learn instead of spending all day in the fields. Education is so important here. It is really changing things. There is also a special school for the children of Snake charmers. these children and their families are considered social outcasts. They are the gypsies and performers, so of course I feel a special kinship to them. I am working to to put together a fire show and a poi workshop for them. I think they will love it and oddly enough they may benefit from learning poi as much as learning english.
It has been a wonderful experience so far, the children are so happy to be learning and are very excitted about us being here. India is a powerful teacher -you have to surrender everything you thought you knew here. Sometimes I feel like I am on another planet because everything is so backwards . My mind has officially been blown. So you will understand if you see me roaming the streets of uptown looking for my camel. I love you all and bring to these children all the love and magik you have all given me. Be the change!
Namaste,
Aimee
|
So I understand that there are a lot of reasons that people invent not to go travel. But I honestly feel it's our obligation as young Americans to go out and have good relations with other nations and show them that we are not all as crazy as the American'ts they watch on Satellite TV every night. Not to mention it's a hell of a lot of fun!
So it's my goal to offer the information we have gathered to prepare for our own world travel to all those people that need that extra little push to get out there...
|
...that's no joke. 5 destinations with flexible timesLos with a schedule like this>>>
"Angeles or San Francisco - Hong Kong - Bangkok - Bombay or Delhi - Paris, Frankfurt or London, from London or Paris - New York" @ www.airbrokers.com
I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it myself. There are a type of Travel Agents called Ticket Consolidators who do packages like this, as well as simple round trip flights for as low as 50% of what the airline would charge. There are a lot of them so I recommend calling all of them. The Airline might charge $2,500, one Agent $1,800, and another Agent $900 all for the same plane!!! It's maddness, but it really pays to shop!
Love,
murphy
|
Definittley be sure to check out www.lonelyplanet.com
It's an absolute wealth of information for the Backpacking Traveller...
|
|
|
|
|
|
