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Cob: Earthen Building in Thailand (part 2)janell kapoor janellv at hotmail.comSat Nov 23 04:41:43 CST 2002
Below you will find details about natural building projects happening this winter in Thailand. Some are different than the last mailing. Please pass this on to other interested people, calendars and listserves. If you'd like to be taken off this mailing list email janell at kleiwerks.com with 'remove' in the subject line. ... Greetings from Siam, We are glad you are coming. We ask that you read the following message carefully so that you'll be well prepared for your time here. From the mud, a hearty welcome awaits you. Janell Kapoor Co-organizer/US Contact janell at kleiwerks.com www.kleiwerks.com ... Below you will find the following information: What to Expect Your Role Contributions What to Bring Interfaith Solidarity Forest Walks Chiang Mai University Self-Reliant Network Wongsanit Ashram Joe's Organic Farm International Children's Festival Vipassana Center South India- Buddha Smiles Village Fund For More Information WHAT TO EXPECT The sponsoring organizations are dedicated to working at a grassroots level. The following projects are designed to help local communities and spiritual centers with the intention of creating models of sustainable living. Each project is an opportunity to learn natural building and experience community together. We will work with adobe, wattle and daub, cob, bamboo, thatch, earthen plasters and finishes. Participants will include students, villagers, activists, monks, artists, architects, government workers, researchers and foreigners. YOUR ROLE We are glad you'll be joining us AND we'd like to ask you to consider the question: "Why you are flying across the world to participate in a sustainable endeavor when you can, most likely, learn earthen building much closer to home?" We'd like you to consider the huge amount of energy used to come to Thailand -- think of the jet fuel alone. Especially because of this, we encourage you to take what you learn in Thailand and find ways to share it when you return home. We are a growing movement and each of us has some role to play in creating the world we'd like to live in. Think of how you can incorporate your experience and carry it forward. Perhaps you can document the process and do community or school presentations (video or slides are good for this), teach others what you learned, offer hands-on workshops, raise money for the projects in Thailand or for people to do this work in your area. It is important for each of us to do our part, whatever our part may be. During our time together we can discuss these possibilties. CONTRIBUTIONS There is a suggested sliding scale of $300-$800 for each project. If you cannot pay the low end, please contact us. Our policy is that no one will be turned away for lack of funds AND we ask that you give, or raise, what money you can for the project. Your contribution will help cover the food and lodging as well as scholarships for Thai villagers, students and activists. Any leftover money will support our team's travel costs and basic expenses so that we can keep doing similar projects. REGISTRATION Please send your $100 non-refundable registration deposit signed to "Janell Kapoor" c/o East-West Cultural Organization, 57 Clearwater Drive, Willingboro, NJ 08046, USA. When all deposits are received they will be sent in one lump sum to Thailand. We are doing it this way so that each of you do not have to hassle with international money orders. Once you have sent your deposot it is IMPORTANT to send a message with your contact information, which projects you are attending and your arrival date to janell at kleiwerks.com. ROLLING PARTICIPATION People will be coming and going throughout the projects. Anyone is welcome at any time. Late registration is no problem. VISA Upon arrival at the Bangkok Airport you'll be given a one month visa. If you plan to stay longer you can get a longer visa from your Thai Consulate before coming. WHAT TO BRING -tent -bedding & sleeping pad -light-weight clothes -salve, sunscreen, sunhat -cash, not travellers cheques (we suggest changng money at the airport; banks/atms can be few and far between) -camera, flashlight, musical instruments, notebook, toiletries, towel, water bottle -photos/info of your home, art, community, etc. -an object to offer/embed in one of the structures -the remainder of your contribution (in baht or dollars, not traveller's cheques) INTERFAITH SOLIDARITY FOREST WALKS: IN SUPPORT OF THE HILLTRIBE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN THAILAND December 3-11, 2002 and December 28-January 5, 2003 We highly recommend these walks especially if you are involved with sustainable living, indigenous people's support, community and permaculture. If you'd like to register there is still room for a few more folks. The cost is a fixed $500 for westerners. For more information visit www.sulak-sivaraksa.org. To register please contact ashram at cscoms.com. CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY: BUILDING A CRAFT MUSEUM (space is limited to 8 foreigners) (12 hours North of Bangkok) December 2-11, 2002 We will be building a big craft museum on the university's campus. The building has been designed by a collaborative team of students, artists and architects and will serve as a model for the surrounding area. DIRECTIONS: Chiang Mai is a 12 hour train ride north of Bangkok. From the Chiang Mai train station take a "songtaiwl" (2 bench pick-up truck) to "Ho Sil La Pa" ('Art Museum') at Chaing Mai University. It is near "Kaard Pa-Yom" market and takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on traffic. It should cost 100 baht if you come alone; 10-20 baht with a group. Once you get to the museum follow signs to registration, which starts at 9am on the 2nd. SELF-RELIANT NETWORK: BUILDING A COMMUNITY CENTER Chaiyaphum and Nong Bua Lampoo (near Mekong River, Laos) December 15-27, 2002 (arrive the night before) 'SantiAsoka,' which translates into 'Shanti Ashok' or 'Peace Happiness,' is a spiritual movement based in Buddhist principles of simple, natural living, service and a gifting economy. They have been establishing communities throughout Northern Thailand which are similar to the old ways of Thai village life. We will work with them learning about self-reliance and permaculture systems. We will build a residence in a 3-year-old community and then travel to a newer community where we will construct a community center. The 2nd site is very new with basic amenities. Participants are asked to refrain from smoking and drinking. Women and men sleep separately, unless coupled. DIRECTIONS: Our group will meet at 6pm on the 14th in Keang Kro. From Bangkok's Northern Bus Station ('Morchit') take the old line ('sai kaow') morning bus to Keang Kro in the Chiayaphum Province. Buses from Bangkok towards Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai all route this way (about 6 hours). You can also take a bus to Chiayaphum City and then take a local bus or 'songthaiwl' to Keang Kro. Meet at the bus station ticket office which has a TV and bakery and is on the main street. It's a small local office opposite where buses stop and is just south down the road from where 'songthaiwls' stop. If you have difficulty finding this office, just ask for the 'bus station to Bangkok.' It is NOT the unused bus station north of town. If you get to Keang Kro early there's an internet shop and marketplace to explore. Mobile telephone contact: (Joe) 01.470.1461 WONGSANIT ASHRAM: BUILDING A COMMUNTIY CENTER 1 hour north of Bangkok January 9-14, 2003 We will work on the big earthen Community Center at Wongsanit Ashram, a 20-acre activist hub and training ground for the 'Spirit in Education Movement.' Home of the Grassroots Leadership Trainings, Natural building in Thailand and many other endeavors, Wongsanit has been around for over 20 years. Last year the ashram hosted Kleiwerks for the first International Earthen Building Training in Siam. This year we will help complete another large structure which will serve as their community meeting hall. DIRECTIONS: From the Bangkok Airport take a taxi toward Ongkarak or Nakorn Nayok. You will pass Rangsit and 'Future Park.' Continue on Rt. 305 (about 40 minutes or so) to "Klong Sip Haa" (canal 15). Just before "Klong Sip Haa" you will see a sign for Wongsanit Ashram. Make a left. Go about 4km. The road will make a sharp right. Follow this and go about another block's worth. You will see another 'Wongsanit Ashram' sign. On your right take the small path from the road to the canal and use the little pulley raft at the bottom of the stairs to cross the canal. The drive takes about an hour and costs 400-500 baht. You can also look at www.sulak-sivaraksa.org for a map. You can also take a green-striped local bus from the 'Future Park' as far as 'Klong Sip Haa'-- from there you can hire a motorcycle/songthaiwl. If you come this way it will cost about 250 baht total. Telephone number: 037.333.18324 JOE'S ORGANIC FARM: BUILDING AND FINISHING WORK (Sritan Village, Yasathon; 7-8 hours east of Bangkok) January 16-25, 2003 Join us at Joe's Organic Farm (see 'project photos' at www.kleiwerks.com). We will build a small home and use earthen plasters, paints and decorative bottlework to finish the community building that was started last year. Joe's place is in a traditional Thai village which has pioneered cooperative models for organic farms and crafts. His farm models permaculture and living harmoniously with the land. DIRECTIONS: The easist way to get to Joe's is to join our group travel. We will go by van, leaving from Wongsanit Ashram at 9am on the 15th. For directions to Wongsanit see details above. If you will not go with us by van please contact janell at kleiwerks.com for further directions to Joe's. Joe's Mobile phone: 01.470.1461 3RD GLOBAL COMMUNITY GATHERING AND INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL Moo Baan Dek (5 hours north of Bangkok) January 31 - February 11, 2003 (Note: The following is not being organized by Kleiwerks. There will not be much focus on natural building, but it does sound really good...) An inter-people's gathering on alternatives in education and culture with Thailand's 'Children's Village School' (Moo Baan Dek), 'Make Dreams Come True' (Ban Thor Phan) and 'The Whispering Seed Home' (forming). Joining together to weave the stories of our lives, to share our hopes and dreams, our struggles, our cultures and ourselves while experienceing the daily lives of children in wonderful projects. For more information contact Jim Conner: sea.annica at juno.com VIPASSANA CENTER: BUILDING A MEDITATION HOUSE Nakorn Sawan Province, (about 4 hours north of Bangkok) February 15-24, 2003 Luong Pu Yai is one of Southeast Asia's leading Vipassana masters. He has been living on the top of a big hillside with outstanding views for about 50 years, which is where we will build a 2-story meditation house. During the training, Luong Pu Yai will be giving Vipassana teachings as well. FOR DIRECTIONS: Email ashram at cscoms.com SOUTH INDIA- BUDDHA SMILES: BUILDING A MODEL SCHOOL Tamil Nadu, South India February 25- March 7, 2003 Building a school for children with the non-profit group, "Buddha Smiles." For more information email Ramu Mannivannan: ramu_manivannan at hotmail.com or Moo: ashram at cscoms.com VILLAGE FUND Mun Yeun Village is a self-reliant community in the making (see www.kleiwerks.com or www.sulak-sivaraksa.org). It is being built by villagers (and friends) who have chosen to create a model of sustainable living, after they were flooded off their land because of a dam project. During their initial several years of struggle most of the villagers went into debt because they were occupied with big demonstrations at the Parliament, and not able to make money. They became one of the highest profile people's movements in the region, with thousands of other villagers and farmers joining in support. Now they are living with only the basics, as they rebuild their community...the first earthen and intentionally self-reliant village in Thailand. Collectively they are more than $25,000 in debt. If you'd like to make a cash contribution to help the Mun Yeun Community please sign checks to: "Vijay Kapoor" c/o East-West Cultural Organization, 57 Willingboro, NJ 08046, USA. Put 'Mun Yeun' in the memo. 100% of your contribution will be tranferred to the Mun Yeun Community. FOR MORE INFORMATION Janell Kapoor, US Contact/Co-organizer janell at kleiwerks.com; www.kleiwerks.com (Note: I will be checking email about once a week.) -OR- Wongsanit Ashram, Thai Contact/Organizing Team ashram at cscoms.com; www.sulak-sivaraksa.org _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
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