Stories with Happy Endings

While Drew recounts all of our recent adventures in Thailand, I simply wanted to tell you about two profound experiences that I've had...

First, for those of you have followed the story of Mindo Tamang, the young orphan girl in Nepal, the story continues...
A week ago I got an email from the organization that has the guide company/orphanage. Apparently a guide went up to Mindo's village on Christmas Day and talked with the family that owns the guesthouse we stayed at. The whole village got together for a meeting on Mindo's behalf, but she was very scared to leave her home. There was another girl there who is also an orphan and lives with her blind grandfather and sick grandmother. She has a similar story in that her parents left her behind when they split up. Anyways, the village and the organization decided to take BOTH girls down to Kathmandu to the orphanage! They both needed a place to live and an education, but they also have eachother! They speak the same "mother tongue," so they can communicate to eachother as they learn Nepali. I imagine this is so much more comfortable for both of them during this transition in their lives. Meena, my contact at the organization, said that both girls are now in their new home, have new clothes, and have started their education!
I was so happy and amazed at how it all came together! I hope that Mindo now has a better life with more opportunities and a bright future. I will continue to support her in a small way (most of the funding is coming from the english gentleman, Andy) and I hope to be part of her life.

Students in Koh Lipeh

The other story is that Drew and I created another ebook with students in Thailand. We were staying on a small island called Koh Lipeh (only 8 square km), which is a gorgeous place with white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and a healthy coral reef. They also have a small community of indigenous people called Urak Lawoi, which means "Sea People" who are semi-nomadic. When I heard that they had a small school, I was instantly intrigued. So one day, we just walked off the beach and approached the school, asking for a teacher who speaks english. It took awhile to find someone (not even a teacher), but when we talked with him it was obvious the project wouldn't work because of the language barrier. As we were about to leave, the man asked if we could come back at 7 pm that evening, and we said sure.
At 7 pm there was a man there named Tom, a Thai teacher who spoke perfect english. What's even more amazing is that he also works for a non-profit that is studying the community and they have just written a book for the students about health issues. He goes on to say that what he's really passionate about is teaching the students about their ancestors and pride in their culture. eBooks are the perfect tool, and this is the heart of what the Global Library is! Amazing!!!
Our day with the students and talking with Tom about the island and the people that live on Koh Lipeh was one of the most insightful conversations we've had on this trip! Suddenly we are not simply tourists but much more. We learned as much from the students as we are giving back by creating these books. Drew agrees and has had as much fun with this project as I have. We both agree that it has added a lot to our travels, to have this sense of purpose but also to stimulate conversations with the local communities we visit.

The students wrote an amazing book and took us on a "tour" of their village for taking pictures. We were able to see the place through their eyes and they were proud of some aspects of their lifestyle and concerned about other parts, ie. the environment. We got to take a step back and look at how the tourist industry affects a small place like this and its people. Thailand's most beautiful places are developing so quickly and while this may be good for their economy, it has it's downfalls as well. And so through this project we learn to look at life differently.

Here is the link to the ebook created with students in Koh Lipeh:

http://send.realebooks.com/?bH=e44&c=ed11f491

Erin