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 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]

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.^[3] These projects include:

Sustainable Livelihoods

Teaching English to kids, adults, guides, and host families
Creative workshops with local children
Hand-crafted soap and Batik cooperatives

Conservation

Beach clearance and waste management
Mangrove reforestation
Wildlife and environmental conservation projects
Orchid conservation
Beautification of community or school gardens
Interpretive nature trail data collection with local guides
GPS land-use mapping

Community Development

Construction of a community center
Long-term scholarships
Teacher placement in local and village schools
Teaching community aerobics or yoga

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),^[4] and The Mangrove Action Project.^[5]

References

^ "northandamantsunamirelief.com". www.northandamantsunamirelief.com. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
^ "northandamantsunamirelief.com". www.northandamantsunamirelief.com. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
^ "True Travellers - Details of Andaman Discoveries' Projects". Archived from the original on 21 September 2008.
^ "InterVol". InterVol. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
^ "The Mangrove Action Project: Protecting the World's Mangrove Forests". Mangrove Action Project. Retrieved 25 July 2023.

[1] "northandamantsunamirelief.com". www.northandamantsunamirelief.com. Retrieved 25 July 2023.

[2] "northandamantsunamirelief.com". www.northandamantsunamirelief.com. Retrieved 25 July 2023.

[3] "True Travellers - Details of Andaman Discoveries' Projects". Archived from the original on 21 September 2008.

[4] "InterVol". InterVol. Retrieved 25 July 2023.

[5] "The Mangrove Action Project: Protecting the World's Mangrove Forests". Mangrove Action Project. Retrieved 25 July 2023.

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