News archive of the Beluga School for Life (BSfL) - Aid project in Thailand for children in need

Here you can find former news regarding the Beluga School for Life.

If you would like to receive up-to-date information regarding our work, you have the opportunity to simply subscribe to our newsletter. We will keep you informed.

Message from August 6^th, 2010

Open house on August 13th – Beluga School for Life informs about its goals

On Friday, the 13th of August the BEB-Immobilienverwaltungs-GmbH opens its doors for visitors. The summer event starts at 3 pm in the Hunoldstraße 72 in Hundsmühlen. Till 8 pm visitors have the chance to support the Beluga School for Life by donating money and consuming drinks. The BSfL will present itself with an information booth.

Besides interesting speeches about several topics such as »energy« from different business partners of BEB- Immobilienverwaltungs-GmbH, BEB will present its new website. In addition the Dance School of Ralf Beyer will show a performance and children will be entertained at the booth of the BSfL with creative activities.

We will be happy to welcome you!

Message from July 9^th, 2010

Soccer – it doesn´t matter if it is raining

Soccer is the favorite sport for the children at the Beluga School for Life – they proof every day. Even tropical rains can´t stop them from pursuing their passion. All junior soccer players run, dribble with full energy at any weather. The children seem to have a lot of fun while playing in the pouring rain. But that is no wonder, because with increasing moisture the soil turns into a slide. Quickly all rain soaked T-shirts and wet shoes are pulled off and the game goes on barefoot. The ambitious children and passion for soccer could have a role-model character for many World Cup soccer players.

Message from July 9^th, 2010

Students from the Beluga School for Life Pupils visit Mushroom-plant

In early July the pupils visited a nearby mushroom-plant. As a part of the afternoon project „organic agriculture“ they were guided by the operator of the agricultural institution through the farm. Thereby she showed and explained each step of breeding eatable mushrooms. The children watched the process with great interest and even could try some steps themselves. They filled the damp wood shavings, which serve as a breeding ground for fungi, in small bags and harvested mushrooms, which had already been cultured and stored several weeks ago.

During the visit, the students already discussed the idea of creating a pilot project in the BSfL for mushroom farming in order to provide the kitchen with self-grown and ecological flawless mushrooms.

Message from July 7^th, 2010

The children of the Beluga School for Life present their theatre project “Water is Life” (Beluga Theatre Workshop 2010).

Message from July 1^st, 2010

Amazing Thailand – the biggest Thai event in Germany, Bad Homburg.

This year the Beluga School for Life Charity Travel will attend the Amazing Thailand exhibition in Bad Homburg from Saturday, 24th until 25th of July.

The festival is the oldest of its kind in Germany and cordially invites everybody who is interested in traveling to Thailand, Thai food, Thai culture and religion or the country in general.

Discover the colorful and exotic world of Thailand. 50 different booths will offer you a great range of different attractions concerning Thai traditions and – of course – Thai food.

The Beluga School for Life Charity Travel and the Beluga School for Life will hold some surprises for you, including a prize winning children painting contest.  Come by and have a refreshing drink with us while updating your knowledge about the Beluga School for Life and the Charity Travel.

We are looking forward to meeting you at Amazing Thailand.

Message from June 16^th, 2010

The Beluga School for Life is the first non-commercial member of the “Code of Conduct”
Children’s rights at the BSfL

The children at the Beluga School for Life live in a stable social environment. Everyday they benefit and grow from the educational opportunities and living conditions in the village community. But it is particularly important that they be informed of their rights as children outside the BSfL. At the beginning of the year, the employees of the project attended a week-long seminar on the subject of children’s rights and developed a code of conduct for the school.

The Code of Conduct was established by UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) and UNWTO (World Tourist Organization) and focuses on children’s rights around the world. Its main concern is the prevention of and education about so-called “sex tourism“. Not only children, but also relatives, educators and project managers worldwide learn about measures for protecting children with regard to this particular issue. Now that the BSfL is a member of the Code of Conduct, the children are taught in even greater detail about their rights.

The Beluga School for Life and the tourism activities that are developing in the village community are not only officially following the Code of Conduct, but the BSfL can now also point out grievances on behalf of UNICEF and UNWTO by means of events and information material.

Message from June 16^th, 2010

Earth Charter Recycling Project

On the occasion of the Earth Charter Initiative the children of the Beluga School for Life again participated in a special project.

This time they built robots and other characters from plastic and special waste. First, they disassembled and explored old monitors, printers, hard drives and other discarded electronics. Additional materials were milk and juice cartons and plastic bottles. Apart from gaining new insights into the inner workings of electrical appliances, the children developed countless ideas for the artistic recycling of the material. Equipped with scissors, tape and glue guns they built armor and shields from bottles and tetra packs. They utilized the individual scrap parts to design new fantasy creatures and robots for immediate use as toys.  

This project intends to address the third chapter of the Earth Charter and express the idea of ecological integrity by creating new objects from recycled items.

As a supporter of the Earth Charter Initiative, the BSfL regularly dedicates itself to the charter’s maxim. The goal is to help children in understanding global challenges and social, economic and environmental issues, as well as to teach them the importance of environmental protection measures.

Message from May 18^th, 2010

Construction Progress of the New School Building

The construction of the new school building is taking big steps forward: since the laying of the foundation stone on the 3rd of January this year, the building is continuously getting bigger and the construction workers are well on schedule. In all likelihood the official opening of the so-far largest building in the Beluga School for Life can be celebrated in the fall. The work on the building’s foundation and the structure of the ground floor is already complete, electrical installations and sanitation will follow. The 130 children who will be attending the school observe the development of the new building with great anticipation and experience firsthand how a modern new building with laboratories and generous classrooms comes about on a large field.

Message from May 18^th, 2010

Reunion with friends
Semester start at the Beluga School for Life

After five weeks of summer break, the semester for the students at the Beluga School for Life started up again in the beginning of May. The children began the new semester with a great welcome celebration at which the fosterlings of the BSfL, relatives, and staff members of the project took part.

After several quiet weeks in the project, loud laughter coming from all of the buildings is heard again and there are children everywhere walking across the extensive premises. The children’s parting from their relatives was also soon forgotten due to the joy of finally being able to see their friends again. We wish all of the children and the Beluga School for Life team a good and successful start into the new semester.

Message from May 18^th, 2010

New Cultivable Acreage and New Property for the Organic Farming Center

In the Beluga School for Life a lot of value is placed on a healthy diet attained through products from ecological subsistence agriculture. For this reason the Organic Farming Center was extended with numerous acreage. The children learn how to cultivate and care for the new beds and also how to harvest fruits and vegetables, thereby increasing self-sufficiency even further.

Additionally, a new property was purchased that is only a few minutes away from the BSfL. In the future it will serve as additional cultivable land for fruit trees and vegetables. The breeding of pigs and chickens will also be established on the new area of land so that species-appropriate livestock breeding with sufficient room for the animals can be assured and so that nothing stands in the way of having a healthy meat supply any longer.

Message from May 18^th, 2010

New Trees for the Beluga School for Life

In order to make the Beluga School for Life property even greener, ten large trees that are to be planted on site were recently donated. The project manager of the Beluga School for Life, Jörg Thiemann, and several of his friends from Phuket are to thank for this donation. An especially large tree came directly from the residents of the Na Nai village.

Message from May 10^th, 2010

The „Flying Classroom“ in the Beluga School for Life
Become informed about the School Encounter Trip

Learning through experience is exciting and effective. With the School Encounter Trip to the Beluga School for Life students have the opportunity to get to know Thailand in a unique way and to see Thailand in a special perspective, all while gaining insight into the Beluga School for Life aid project.

The concept of the school encounter trip emerged in 2008 from a cooperation between the University of Applied Sciences Bremen and the Beluga School for Life.
Accordant with the wish to create a network between the aid project and international schools, students of the Learners’ Company developed a concept for a trip that makes the cultural exchange between young students and Thailand possible. Through excursions and activities with the children of the BSfL, the students experience authentic encounters on their trip and can get to know the land, culture, and people.

Furthermore the students gain insight into the aid project as well as the daily life of the people that reside there. In this respect, the students can participate in the instruction at the Beluga School for Life and can take part in the interdisciplinary courses at the Organic Farming Center or Thai dance in addition to the theoretical lessons taught at the Thai school.

Further Information about the school encounter trip can be found at:
www.schulbegegnungsreise.de

Message from April 12^th, 2010

Dentist’s Visit in the Beluga School for Life

Once again Dr. Sebastian Weiland and his wife Melanie Weiland visited the Beluga School for Life in March. This time around as well, they supported the project not only through their visit, but additionally provided their knowledge and competence in respect to dentistry.
So the children had to open up their little mouths again in order that the upcoming check of their teeth could be carried out.
Under normal circumstances one would now expect fearful children. Yet Mr. and Mrs. Weiland have involved and integrated themselves into the aid project since the beginning so much that the children could hardly wait to climb onto the dentist’s chair. As a reward every child received a toothbrush, toothpaste, as well as a coloring book afterwards.
Once again the Beluga School for Life with all of its residents would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Weiland very much for their boundless dedication and is looking forward to meeting again in October!

Message from April 7^th, 2010
“Earth Charter” – BSfL Children Discover the World

Having the last exams of this school year behind them, the students of the Beluga School for Life are participating in different workshops with the topic “Earth Charter”. The “Earth Charter” is a declaration committed to sustainable development on the international level. The sustainable use of nature and the environment, social and economic justice, as well as a worldwide peaceful culture are the fundamentals of the “Earth Charter” movement.

This way, for instance, the students look into the subject of environment with the theater project “Water”. Under the professional direction of theater instructor Nita, the children will create a small play in which the issue of increasing water pollution is broached through dancing and theatrical interludes.

In the project “Rubber for Life” the children engage themselves in the rubber tree, whose valuable raw material signifies an important economic factor not only in the villages encompassing the BSfL, but also in Thailand overall. In the course of their investigation the children interview plantation workers, study the resource rubber, and record their findings in the form of a documentary.

“The Moken Communities” is the theme of the third project. The children visit the villages of the Moken – an ethnic group that migrated from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands centuries ago which exists mainly off of fishing – and look into their exciting history and culture. In doing so the children gain insight, for example, in traditional handicrafts and customs. An exhibition about the topic is planned at the end of the project.

Message from March 26^th, 2010
Soccer Camp in the BSfL

New to the BSfL is a Soccer Camp that just opened recently. Already by morning, children and trainers gathered on the sports field. Not only were junior soccer players from the BSfL there, but also numerous young players from throughout the region. Soccer coach Säng, who has been training the BSfL-children for more than a year already, instructs the 20-person group and receives additional support from an experienced trainer of the royal Thai marine. Together they will coach the children in theory and in practice for one week long.

By this means the entire team of the Beluga School for Life sends a very sincere thank you once again to all contributors!

Message from March 26^th, 2010
New School Building in Construction

Just a few months ago, the goats were still the only occupants of the large field between the sports field and the Small Kids’ House. Yet that has now changed: meanwhile the former field has turned into a large construction site. There is always hustle and bustle going on there. On a daily basis the concrete mixers rotate and there is plenty of welding, drilling, and cementing. The largest building of the Beluga School for Life so far is being developed under conditions of intense heat: a new school building, which aside from the primary school (grades 1-6) is to accommodate the secondary school (grades 7-12) in the future as well.Starting autumn of this year, about 130 children will be able to learn, research, and discover things here under the best conditions. Apart from the numerousclassrooms, the new school building will offer a laboratory as well, in which flora and fauna from the surrounding area can be examined carefully under the magnifying glass.

At last but not least, the construction of the new school is made possible thanks to the extraordinary donation efforts resulting from the RTL-telethon, which was broadcasted to benefit the BSfL among other projects last year.

By this means the entire team of the Beluga School for Life sends a very sincere thank you once again to all contributors!

Message from March 26^th, 2010
Successful Opening of the Photo Exhibition „Aside from Business – Photographic Impressions from East and Southeast Asia“ in the WTC Bremen:

For the benefit of the Beluga School for Life, Klaus W. Burgdorf, a businessman and photographer from Bremen, opened the two-week photo exhibition „ Aside from Business – photographic impressions from East and Southeast Asia“ at an exhibit opening in the World Trade Center Bremen on Tuesday evening the 16th of March 2010.

Dr. Hans-Herwig Geyer as representative to the Beluga School for Life and Klaus W. Burgdorf himself held the opening speeches in front of the numerous present guests. Later the photographer personally guided the guests through the exhibition and explained his pictures to them, which he had photographed in the last 30 years during his numerous business trips through East and Southeast Asia.

During the entire course of the exhibition, free lectures will take place in the World Trade Center Bremen. For instance students of the University of Applied Sciences Bremen will report about their internship semester in China and Japan on Wednesday, March 24th 2010 starting 6:00 p.m. On Friday March 26th 2010 starting at 6:00 p.m. the project manager of the Beluga School for Life, Claudia Gösling will then introduce the Thai aid project.

The photo exhibition in the foyer of the World Trade Center Bremen is still viewable until March 31st 2010.

Message from March 08^th, 2010
Finally Rain!

After weeks of dryness and long-standing heat with temperatures over 86 °F, the time has come at last at the end of February: thick cloudbanks cover the Beluga School for Life premises. What still seemed to be bright in the morning became compact and grey gradually throughout the day until it finally started to rain in the afternoon.
The up and coming football players take advantage of the long awaited and very welcomed cool-down to finally pursue their favorite sport again. Since the very popular pastime activity among the BSfL students could only be played in limited amounts over the last few weeks due to the extreme heat and dryness, the football players among the children in the BSfL were especially happy about the cooling moisture. Still, even when it only rains about three days on average in February, and usually only for a short period of time; the children use this time immediately so they can finally have a good romp again.

Message from February 15^th, 2010
First successes at betterplace.org

A sewing workshop is to be established in the Beluga School for Life so that expensive school uniforms, costumes, and clothing no longer need to be purchased. At the same time, an additional means of revenue can be generated through the sale of self-sewed textiles. For this purpose, the Beluga School for Life also needs materials, fabric, and tables in addition to sewing machines.

By using the platform betterplace.org, which helps nonprofit projects with the acquisition of donations, the first sewing machine could already be financed. With this success the Beluga School for Life takes one step closer to self-sufficiency. If you would also like to support the progress of the sewing workshop, you may directly do so at http://de.betterplace.org/projects/2455-beluga-school-for-life.

Message from February 15^th, 2010
Youngest Take Exploration Tour through the BSfL

With boundless energy, the youngest of the BSfL are exploring their surroundings and are unstoppable in doing so. They set forth along with their caretakers to explore the flora and fauna in the Organic Farming Center. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are planted on the school grounds – exciting features for an exploration tour. A goatherd belongs to this area as well where the animals serve as a “natural lawn-mower”. The children gazed at the little goats in an especially interested and trusting manner. It was a great experience on an overall exciting fieldtrip-day, for which they did not even have to leave the BSfL.

Message from December 29^th, 2009
Beluga Life in Concert

Let’s celebrate! Various highlights await you at the charity concert in the Beluga School for Life.

On Monday the 4 January 2010 the idolized Thai singer Nanfah Kalasin will perform on the campus, followed by a concert of the popular Thai Reggae Band Job2Do. The children of the Beluga School for Life will also surprise you with their performance!

For registration, please contact us under the following telephone number: 0066 (0) 854733165

Poster-Concert.pdf (408 kB)

Message from December 17^th, 2009
BSfL is official supporter of the Earth Charter

The Earth-Charter is a declaration of 16 fundamental ethical principles for the regard of nature, the takeover of the responsibilities for the environment, and the aspiration for social and economic/ justice as well as for a worldwide culture of peace and togetherness. Now the Beluga School for Life is also an official supporter of the Earth Charter. The BSfL profits from it with various work materials and project suggestions of the Earth Charter initiative. Their reference book for educators and materials for working with children are used as the basis for workshops, projects, and lessons relating to the Earth Charter. A catalog of measures forms the basis of implementing the principles.

In the preamble of the charter it says: The Earth Charter declares that the environmental, economic, social, cultural, ethical, and spiritual challenges and hopes of mankind are closely interconnected. The challenges towards freedom, justice, and peace are closely connected with the protection of the environment and the worry about economic well-being. Only with a global partnership and shared responsibility can inclusive solutions be found. Some supporters of the Earth Charter are UNESCO and the nature conservation organization IUCN among others.

Further information: www.earthcharterinaction.org

Message from November 20^th, 2009
Stars im Einsatz - Die RTL-Spendenmarathon-Reportage:

Message from November 17^th, 2009
"RTL Spendenmarathon" (Telethon): Beluga School for Life is there

Moderator Miriam Pielhau involved as celebrity sponsor

For the 14th time the "RTL Spendenmarathon" (Telethon) will take place once again this year. The 24-hour long benefit campaign is the longest running charity program in German television: Every year for two days attention is placed on children in need of help - and most importantly, also how people can help.

This year the program will introduce the Beluga School for Life among four other aid projects. The journalist, moderator, and book author Miriam Pielhau is a celebrity sponsor who has committed herself to the children of the Beluga School for Life for many years. At this years telethon Miriam Pielhau will collect donations for the new school building, which is to be built in the Beluga School for Life in order to give more children in poverty and in need the opportunity to learn and live in the aid project.

The "RTL Spendenmarathon" (Telethon) will be broadcasted on Thursday, the 19th of November, and Friday, the 20th of November. The telethon is presented by the RTL charitable foundation - Wir helfen Kindern e.V. (We Help Children, registered association). The organization’s goal is to improve the living conditions of children, to alleviate poverty, and to give them a chance of receiving an education, thereby giving them the opportunity to attain a better future.

Message from November 05^th, 2009
Creative Moments in the Beluga School for Life

The children of the aid project recently created movable figures made out of cardboard boxes in an afternoon project along with their art teacher, Dr. Horst Beisl, which were then collectively colored and mounted on the walls in order to decorate the interior room.

In the process of doing so, the kids let their creativity run wild and made up humorous stories for each individual animal and imaginary creature. With a great deal of amusement, several buildings in the project were colorfully embellished during this activity. “Additional, smaller figures will be made out of cardboard that will be fastened to sticks, which can then be used for puppet shows. This way the children will have the opportunity to make up new stories at any time and also to produce different plays in the puppet theater for one another,” explained Horst Beisl when referring to the art project.

Message from November 05^th, 2009
An Excursion to a World of Fairytale and Underwater Creatures

With the motto “to be a little guide”, a project group of the Beluga School for Life recently headed to Phuket with their guide, Nan, in order to become better acquainted with the creatures of the animal kingdom that reside there.

The group went to the Phuket Aquarium first, which gave the solely female participants a particularly special impression with its diversity of wonderful, yet also eerie underwater creatures. In the center of attention were the sharks and ray fish, which the group could observe during their live feeding, and also the Giant Grouper, which impressed with their grand size. The next location visited was the Butterfly Farm, where the children initially passed through the world of spiders and other crawling critters. Afterwards, all of them entered a fabulous garden with many colorful flowers and butterflies. At the entrance everyone was given a small feeding dish in order to attract the butterflies. Some of them even landed on several of the girls’ hands and the kids were able to observe the beautiful butterflies up close.

Enriched with several new and lasting impressions, the project group set out for Na Nai again, where the experiences could be shared with the other children of the BSfL.

Message from November 05^th, 2009
Dentist Examines BSfL-Children and Staff Members

Recently, the dentist-couple Weiland spent their vacation in the BSfL.

Aside from learning traditional Thai culinary skills from the BSfL cook, Chef Na and exploring the wonderful region around the BSfL, the vacationers also had something else on their minds: Offering the children and staff members a complimentary dental examination.

Interested staff members gathered in the family area so that their teeth could undergo professional diagnostics. Caries and tartar were accurately diagnosed and documented.

Especially for the examinations of the children, the couple returned to the BSfL after spending a few days in a subsequent residence in Khao Lak and threw an expert glance at the students’ teeth from the early afternoon on into the evening. Additionally the couple had numerous toothbrushes and toothpastes in their luggage as donations, which were handed out to the children as the grand finale.

At this point the children and staff members would like to express their sincere thanks once more for the big help!

Message from September 15^th, 2009
VfL Oldenburg Strengthens Support for the BSfL

Since the beginning, the VfL has supported the Beluga School for Life. Now further development of the already existing cooperation is planned for the future.

In the near future donation boxes will be set up at the home games of the regional league, VfL Oldenburg. The money collected will be purposefully used in the child aid project in Na Nai, Thailand.

Additionally, all Oldenburg residents and Oldenburg visitors have the opportunity to win great prizes in a raffle during half time of the Regional Women’s Handball games in the Robert Schumann Hall. Furthermore, at all home games information material is available to provide interested spectators insight into the Thai aid project.

All friends and supporters are cordially invited to visit a game of the VfL II team in the Robert Schumann Hall, Rebenstr. 51 in Oldenburg, and also to inform themselves during the game about the Beluga School for Life. With a little luck there is also a chance to win a great BSfL prize.

Information about the above mentioned games and overall information about VfL Oldenburg is available at: www.vfl-oldenburg.de

Message from August 25^th, 2009
Visit from the Red Cross

On August 20, 2009, Darunee Palusuk, the governor’s wife and patron of the Red Cross in Phang Nga took a surprise visit to the BSfL along with her staff. On the occasion of prevention campaigns against the current worldwide Flu H1N1 (also commonly referred to as “swine flu”) the dedicated patron called on the BSfL among other schools in the region.

The students and teachers gathered excitedly in the BSfL-Theater in the late afternoon in order to welcome the representatives of the Red Cross. Darunee Palusuk explained why the Flu is so dangerous, what the symptoms are, and how the children can protect themselves against an infection. Hygiene is the first priority, so the governor’s wife personally handed out mouth-protection masks to every child – an important effort next to frequent hand-washing and other measures, which attempt to stop the spread of the flu.

After this serious topic, the concluding fun part followed. In addition to the mouth-protection masks, the Red Cross donated plenty of milk, which doesn’t only strengthen the immune system. The children accepted the chilled drink with happiness and enjoyment and drank up the fresh milk right away.

Message from August 21^th, 2009
Students of the University of California, Los Angeles, visit the Beluga School for Life

This past Monday, an orange-colored bus typical for Thailand with lots of sheet metal covering and a noisy motor arrived at the Beluga School for Life. But the passengers were anything but Thai. The bus was exited by Michael Silverman, Ph.D., University Lecturer for Environmental Science at the University of California, Los Angeles, accompanied by a group of 26 students, who had included a visit at the Beluga School for Life into the itinerary of their five-week research trip through Thailand. After moving into the bungalows and a short welcome, the American students first refueled in the restaurant. Chef Na pampered the guests with traditional dishes, such as curry chicken and pad thai, adapting in a culturally sensitive fashion the spiciness of the food to the western palate. After the meal some of the students recovered in the swimming pool, a presumably welcome cool-down after a long bus ride without the pleasant chill of an air conditioner.

After the lunch break the program included an introductory meeting. In the conference room, Mr. Manoon and Christopher Ott gave a short introduction into the history, organization and the concept of the Beluga School for Life. Topics such as sustainability, education, tourism and the environment were addressed in a lively discussion round before employees and students headed off to explore the BSfL premises. The stops at the Learning Centers, the Pavilion of Religions, the Organic Farming area, the BSfL Tsunami Museum and other facilities provided ample time for answering numerous questions and giving the Californian students a first impression of life and education at the Beluga School for Life. After a sociable dinner the students expressed their interest in gaining deeper insights into the BSfL everyday life on the following day, and active participation in the afternoon projects of the children was agreed upon.

After an intra-university seminar the following morning the group ventured into practical experience in the afternoon. The UCLA students chose their favorites from the numerous projects offered and visited the young BSfL residents in the Learning Centers. At first the internal-BSfL subject areas took a backseat as the BSfL children curiously and excitedly started their own research project: American Studies. With astonishment the children noticed that many Americans do not look American at all. There were university students of Asian, African and also South American descent, as well as students whose parents had come to America from Europe. The children examined the hair and skin color as well as the language and clothes of the guests. The impromptu research project initiated by the children themselves did not only teach them up-to-date knowledge concerning world cultures, but also quickly led to them overcoming their initial reservations. After this short excursion into cultural studies, the projects started with a bit of a delay but a great deal of insight. It quickly became apparent that the children not only learned from the university students, but rather the children became teachers as well, instructing the Americans in traditional Thai dance, introducing them to creative approaches of recycling plastic bottles, and offering insights into the use of the computer program Excel. The projects were followed by an intercultural soccer match during which the young players of the BSfL were actively supported by the students from Los Angeles. The fun factor on both sides was tremendous, and even a tropical downpour could not stop the children and students from playing.
The experiences were discussed during a final meeting in the evening and the visitors were not only enthusiastic about the idea of the Beluga School for Life, but also impressed by the openness and kindness of its young and old residents.

On Wednesday morning the orange-colored bus left the premises. The passengers were still American, but they left with numerous new experiences regarding life and learning at the Beluga School for Life in Thailand. For some the farewell is only short-lived, because already next Monday four of the guests will return for a period of five days to deepen their research interests which particularly pertain to the area of Organic Farming and Nutrition.

Background:

Michael Silverman, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral university lecturer at the Institute of the Environment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His principal interest focuses on international and intercultural issues related to the implementation of formal and informal education in NGO-led environmental, educational and aid projects in Southeast Asia.

In the summer of 2009 he, for the second time, organized a study trip to Southern Thailand for UCLA students. During its five-week stay the study group visits different projects in the region along the west coast of Thailand affected by the tsunami. The group concentrates on two research foci: environmental research (coastal preservation, marine biology, etc.) as well as social research (sustainable aid projects, community development, support of the population through innovative educational establishments, etc.).

During last year's stay in Thailand, Michael Silverman heard about the Beluga School for Life in Ban Na Nai and decided to include a visit to the BSfL into his next study trip. The planning process consisted of numerous telephone calls and e-mails in which the main interests, program planning and further details were discussed in advance.
The planned visit to the BSfL took place from July 13, 2009 to July 15, 2009. Through a mix of intra-UCLA seminars, discussion rounds with the BSfL employees and participation in the everyday life and education, the students and lecturers received an insight into the "Beluga School for Life" aid project (see above).At the end of their stay four UCLA students expressed their interest to return to the BSfL in the context of a five-day independent studies phase (July 20, 2009 - July 24, 2009). Their main interest is in the area of Organic Farming, as well as the diet and the afternoon projects of the children. In conclusion one can say that the visit of the UCLA group was very successful. A feedback discussion showed that the students were very impressed by the BSfL.

If there is an interest on the part of UCLA, one would have to consider establishing a stay at the BSfL as a permanent feature of the anticipated annual research trip of UCLA.Experiential reports and research results of the visit will be requested from Michael Silverman as soon as the group has completed and evaluated its journey.

Christopher Ott, BSfL Education Manager

Message from August 14^th, 2009
Barber Shop officially opened

The new rooms were successfully remodelled - so on Saturday the 8th of August 2009 the opening ceremony for the Barber Shop took place on the Beluga School for Life premises. Already at 9 o’clock 14 children and 2 supervising employees were ready to begin their services in the shop. Previously, the adult Personnel took a “hair-cutting course” at a school in Phang-Nga so that they can teach the children accordingly and to let them in on the “secrets” of hairdressing as a career. Already on opening day, many visitors accepted the extensive offers ranging from haircuts to foot massages. Not only can the children, adolescents and employees of the project benefit from the new training opportunity. From now on, also the residents in the village of Na Nai are able to beautify themselves at low cost at the Barber Shop in the Beluga School for Life.

Message from August 14^th, 2009
Beluga School for Life at the Bremen Children’s Day in the “Bürgerpark”

“Elephants in the Bürgerpark”: This was the motto of the Children’s Day in the “Bürgerpark” this year on Sunday, the 9th of August 2009. The extensive programme and great weather attracted many participants. The child aid project, “Beluga School for Life” was one of two chosen benefited projects of the Children’s Day. The proceeds from this event will be used to build a book manufactory in Na Nai, Thailand. Therefore, the Beluga School for Life elaborately presented itself. The book manufacturer, Augustfehn, helped energetically as cooperation partner.

The participants, young and old, for example, had the possibility to print their name by hand at the BSfL stand. At Midday the Beluga School for Life carried out their performance on the large main stage. There was a school dance group, which performed the song “Chang Song” under the direction of Torben Behning in addition to Gert Sudbrack and Peter Vöge from the book manufactory Augustfehn, whom presented the manual printing process of a flag together with some students. Furthermore, Mr. Leiermann from the company BKE Fislage reported his unique experiences as a tourist at the Beluga School for Life in Thailand and referred to the Chair Hockey tournament that will take place on Friday, the 25th of September in the town hall Bremen. The proceeds from this event will also benefit the Beluga School for Life.

Due to the participants’ great interest, we were able to experience a wonderful event together with our cooperation partners. The company, Bionade, donated 40 crates of their refreshing drink so that the Beluga School for Life team could hand out the bottles at no cost. Our thanks go out to all of our partners, and we hope for further positive collaboration in the future.

Message from August 13^th, 2009
A Royal Birthday

On August 12, 2009, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit celebrated her birthday. Sirikit means beauty and honour, and thus her birthday was celebrated accordingly. Queen Sirikit is also recognized as the mother of all Thais – that is why Mothers day is simultaneously celebrated in Thailand on her birthday.

A special festival was also arranged in the Beluga School for Life where naturally the Queen as well as all other mothers were honoured. Already one day earlier on Tuesday the 11th of August, 2009, there was a colourful show programme from 9 am to 11 am in the Beluga School for Life, where all mothers and relatives were invited. Afterwards the children handed out flowers to all mothers and supervisors.

August 12th is a national holiday in Thailand and many children went home with their relatives after the event in the Beluga School for Life.

Message from July 31^st, 2009
Birthday Party in the BSfL

Once a month all employees, parents and children of the BSfL celebrate. The occasion: A Birthday or in some cases, Birthdays. With 150 children and 70 employees, there are a lot of birthday children and adults every month. The big BSfL Birthday Party takes place traditionally on every last Thursday of each month and a number of fun activities are provided. Whether dance shows, song interludes or group games, the kids’ birthdays are always colourful and varied. Not only are the students committed, but also chef Na and bakery chef Ae put their best foot forward on this special day. For example, chef Ae, together with the students of the Hotel Training Institute created two opulent and richly decorated birthday cakes. The eye’s delight soon became culinary delight, because after numerous games, shows, and handing out presents, the children rushed to the birthday cake to taste it – not only in Thailand something truly special.

Message from July 28^th, 2009
Artistic creations out of used paper

In the project “Artistic Expressions,” not only does painting and handiwork take place, but also creative recycling. So the children collected used paper this past week from numerous offices, class rooms and other rooms in the Beluga School for Life in order to reuse it for their art projects. The used paper was torn into small pieces, mixed with liquid glue, and converted into artful shapes and figures. With this activity, art teacher Nan wishes to introduce the students to the basics of shaping and sculpture designing. After this introductory lesson, the children will be familiarized with tools such as chisels and carving knives for the first time in order to turn old tree trunks into sculptures.

Message from July 15^th, 2009
New Offspring

A little being saw the light of the world for the first time at the BSfL on Tuesday morning. The baby goat named “Snow White” is now an official member of the project in Na Nai. The children will certainly be glad to have such a cute animal living in their community. The goat herd belongs to the Organic Farming area and is used, among other things, to mow the lawn.

Message from June 15^th, 2009
Beluga School for Life Doku

Dive into the world of the Beluga School for Life and get to know our project work on-site. 

Here you can watch the doku...

Message from May 19^th, 2009
Orientation Day in the Beluga School for Life

In order to give the new students of the Beluga School for Life insight into their future life in the aid project, an orientation day took place on Wednesday the 13 of May 2009 in Na Nai, Thailand for all prospective students and their dependants.

Getting to meet others was the central concept where friendships between new and current students of the BSfL were formed. Of course, the latter was also invited.

Pleasant anticipation for an abundant and constructed life in the aid project developed in many of the new residents because the program on this day showed great promise: After a visit to the center, a welcome event in the cafeteria took place in which the complete school, family, and management team of BSfL introduced themselves. Later they visited the accommodations in the family homes. In the evening they had a Buddhist ceremony with several games in the center of religions.

The introduction days gave not only the children but also their dependants a feeling of security and familiarity. The exchange between the project staff members and the children’s family members is an important component of pedagogical work.

Message from May 18^th, 2009
On the Track to Monkhood

Recently 50 children from the Beluga School for Life were allowed to take part in a once in a lifetime experience: They spent two weeks in a so called “Monk Camp” in Suratani.

According to Thai conception, everyone should be a Monk once in their lifetime - even only for a short while.

Thus the Beluga School for Life group betook themselves on a 2.5 hour bus ride towards Suratani in May 2009. In the nation-wide known instruction temple, the boys and girls from the BSfL learned the life of a monk authentically in all areas and soon realized that the way of life for a Buddhist monk requires much discipline.

Dressed in uniform white clothing, the children were allowed to pray and meditate with ’’real” monks and were taught the teachings of Buddha in the temple. With love, abstinence, and mutual respect they gained a sense of behavioral guidelines for a virtuous life.
Even though not all initial attitudes towards a fieldtrip to a traditional Buddhist convent were positive, all later agreed that it was a beneficial experience throughout. The students even remarked that they want to take on more responsibility and immerse themselves in the community due to the excursion. Everyone had a great time on the fieldtrip and the children of the Beluga School for Life will certainly keep this impressive adventure in their memories for years to come.

Message from April 28^th, 2009
Career Aspiration: Hairdresser. New Barber Shop in the Beluga School for Life

The educational concept of the BSfL continues to show concrete success: it encourages learning and working independently. Students are putting thought into their futures and are making plans for their prospective careers on their own. New career aspirations have now been developed in the Beluga School for Life, which practically opens a new project for the BSfL: A Barber Shop.
At the end of last year, several students expressed their wishes to work as hairdressers in a salon in the future. In order to not only provide vocational training in the tourism industry, the BSfL team promptly decided to construct a barber shop.
A hairdressing school in Phang Nga conveyed the early proficiency of cutting hair to six older children and two adults. Afterwards the skills were deepened as the rest of the children and adult residents of the BSfL received successful haircuts.
A student project-group took over the arrangement of the salon and creatively gave the room a unique expression. With its lovely colourful ambiance, the barber shop is experiencing great response from the residents. Now all persons in the BSfL have the advantage of an inexpensive and quick visit to the salon directly in the project.

Message from February 26^th, 2009
Bicycles

Thanks to the Galerie and Künstlerhaus Spiekeroog and to the Altes Gymnasium Bremen for their generous donation. Because of them the Beluga School for Life could purchase a lot of bicycles. The children were so glad about the gift. At first they made a tour with their new bikes and everyone really enjoyed it.

Our gratitude is true for the noble donators.

Message from February 19^th, 2009
The best prize ever« – Fascinated school children explored Jacobs University’s Ocean Lab

On February 19, 2009, Laurenz Thomsen, Professor of Geosciences at Jacobs University and head of the university’s Ocean Lab, together with his team gave an exciting insight into the life under water for a group of school children from the Lessing School in Bremen. The presentation was the first prize of the 2nd “Beluga School for Life Bremen Dance Contest” of the “Chang Song”, which took place in July last year. The contest is open to all Bremen pupils and aims at facilitating an insight into the Asian and Thai culture in particular.

Naturally, the prize offered by Prof. Thomsen and his team is especially valuable to the children, as they got to find out first hand about life under water. The students learned about coral cells, the life of algae, ocean sediment sampling and got to study the flow characteristics of water. One of the young “scientists” was so happy she voted the Ocean Lab experience “the best prize ever”. The field day was topped by a lunch sponsored by the Jacobs University (www.jacobs-university.de) and lifted the cheerful spirits even higher.

The 15 school children had won the visit in Jacobs University’s Ocean Lab by presenting their danced interpretation of the "Chang Song", which had been recorded in 2005 for the tsunami charity CD “HOME” in a joint venture of Thai children and German musicians. Six school classes had signed up for last year’s dance competition, which took place at the Bremen science museum Universum. During the week of rehearsals the children also concerned themselves with the life and fate of the children in the Beluga School for Life in Thailand and the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami catastrophe in general.

The Beluga School for Life is an aid project in Khao Lak, Thailand, which was created by the Beluga Shipping GmbH in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami catastrophe in December 2004 throughout wide areas of coastal regions in Southeast Asia. The project primarily addresses the need of surviving children, as many of them lost one or even both parents and many other relatives. Meanwhile, this aid project has developed into a small village community including a school and a kindergarten.

Message from September 23^rd, 2008
Participation in ITB Asia Singapur

The three-day B2B trade show and convention will have its debut on October 22 to 24, 2008 in Singapore in the International Convention & Exhibition Centre Suntec.

The visitor awaits a unique combination of travel products and networking opportunities of buyers and sellers from the whole world.

The Beluga School for Life Charity Travel will be one of many exhibitors and wants to socialize with sustainable tourism contacts and to convince the visitor of the unique tourism concept.

Message from September 19^th, 2008
Retraining of the HTI for hotel managers

16 participants took part in the retraining calls “Marketing and Sales Techniques for Top Hotel Executives”.

The training is part of the Hotel Training Institute of the Beluga School for Life, which fosters touristy education, intercultural competence and sustainable tourism understanding.

All participants will

1. learn both theories and practical knowledge of hotel marketing and sales,
2. be able to apply the knowledge gain to practicality in real job,
3. gain more confidence when preparing the marketing plans as well as preparing the sales action plans,
4. become better marketers and better sales persons.

After this successful retraining, we look forward to having further exciting courses.

Message from September 18^th, 2008
BSfL Charity Travel at Chiang Mai Travel Forum

The BSfL Charity Travel will attend the trade fair in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand.

Visit us at the Chiang Mai Travel Forum, 9th - 11th October 2008, Booth 68, and get to know the sustainable travel offers of the Beluga School for Life and our actual programs of the new Hotel Training Institute.

We look forward to seeing you at the fair.

Message from September 1^th, 2008
Almost as Olympia

Last week the Beluga School for Life Kids took part in a sports competition in the region. Beside our project seven other schools entered the contest.

We won six times gold, two times silver and three times bronze. Kook Kai was exceptionally prominent. She got 4 x gold in the single competition and 2 x gold in the team competition.

Medaille	Disziplin	Gruppe
Gold	Laufen-80m	Frauen, einzel
Gold	Laufen-100m	Frauen, einzel
Gold	Laufen-200m	Frauen, einzel
Gold	Weitsprung	Frauen, einzel
Gold	Staffel 4x100m	Frauen, Team
Gold	Volleyball	Frauen, Team
Silber	Weitwurf	Maenner, einzel
Silber	Staffel 4x100m	Maenner, Team
Bronze	Weitwurf	Maenner, einzel
Bronze	Fussball	Maenner, Team
Bronze	Cheerleading	Frauen, Team

Message from August 29^th, 2008
UNESCO visits the BSfL

Last weekend Mr. Sheldon Schaeffer the Director of the UNESCO Bangkok visited the Beluga School for Life. He took part in a campus tour and visited the school projects. Mr. Schaeffer was impressed by the educational concept, the dedication of the staff and the beauty of the surrounding nature.

At the end of his stay he wrote into our guest book and promised to come back to learn more about the Beluga School for Life.

Message from August 25^th, 2008
Dentist visit

This August the BSfL was visited by the German Dr. med. dent. Viktoria Seneadza. She carried out an oral hygiene training program for the children and the employees. The two week program included nutritional consultation and education, as well as information on caries prevention. The children showed a keen interest and they playfully learned how important oral hygiene is.

Dr. Seneadza distributed toothbrushes and dental floss, which she had received by the generous sponsors Henry Schein and Funk Dental. Also many thanks go to the health office Heidelberg, which actively supported the work of the selfless dentist.

The BSfL thanks Dr. Seneadza for her support.

Message from August 13^th, 2008
Unbeaten

Girls of the volleyball team of Beluga School for Life are excited – without being beaten the volleyball team of BSfL won the province championship.

Two children, which do not live in the BSfL also belong to the team. In September it goes on: the national “princess cup”, where girls at the age of 12 to 14 years take part, will take place. The nationwide held tourney is supported by princess Sirithon from the royal Thai family.

Message from July 28^th, 2008
BSfL Charity Travel new member of "forumandersreisen"

We are very happy about the admission of BSfL Charity Travel to "forumandersreisen". We waited curiously and hopefully for the decision of the association of small and medium tour operators for sustainable tourism.

The membership is a milestone for us. Together with forumandersreisen we can promote soft and sustainable tourism in the Beluga School for Life more effectively. We are looking forward to a good and successful co-operation.

Message from July 18^th, 2008
BSfL Charity Travel is a "Schmetterling" (engl. Butterfly)

Thank you Schmetterling GmbH &Co. KG! After the foundation of the Beluga School for Life, a generous amount of 30.000 € has been donated to the aid project. Today we are glad to join Schmetterling Cooperation. The tourism company will assist BSfL Charity Travel in various areas of the tourism business.

With the support of Schmetterling we make a big step towards our aim: the development of the aid project Beluga School for Life into a self-supporting organization.

Message from July 7^th, 2008
New Tourism Coordinator

We are happy to welcome our new colleague Kim Helmstorff.

Kim Helmstorff is a travel agent and studied Applied Leisure Science at the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen. She could gain practical experience in the following fields: tourism, public relation, leisure research and event management, also in the Beluga School for Life. In a theory-praxis project, she had scrutinized the sustainability of the guest area.

As of July 15th 2008 Kim Helmstorff will start working as tourism coordinator in Thailand. We wish her a good start and are looking forward to the upcoming teamwork!

Message from June 23^rd, 2008
Learner’s Company Project

The University of Applied Sciences Bremen examines the sustainability of the Beluga School for Life in a theory-practice project.

Still filled with all the experiences and impressions gained, Kim Helmstorff, 8th semester female student in the "International Degree Program of Applied Leisure Studies" at the University of Applied Sciences Bremen presents her theory-practice project:

Examination of the guest area of the Beluga School for Life regarding its sustainable tourism management. The study project, which represents a part of the diploma examination for the prospective leisure scientist, is called "Learner's Company".

Just returned from Thailand, the young woman explains how she has scientifically accompanied and evaluated the aid project over a period of five weeks. "It made a great impression altogether", the female student begins. "I found it terrific that some of the approaches have already been implemented". Kim here refers to the recently instituted waste separation station.

Apart from the ecological aspects, the project has also been examined regarding its economic and social domains. One time Kim Helmstorff accompanied our cook when shopping. She noticed many little dishwashing packages in the shopping cart. "I immediately pointed out that one large package would be much cheaper and environmentally friendly. Following a short deliberation the cook replaced the numerous small packages with one large one", she reports enthusiastically.

There are, however, many areas in which we can still improve. Fans instead of air conditioners or bio degradable detergent, for example, are effective measures which can be implemented quickly.

Overall, Kim Helmstorff left a list with recommendations which we can now gradually put into practice. This process will be accompanied by the patron for sustainable tourism, Prof. Dr. Bernd Stecker from the University of Applied Sciences Bremen. Because our next great aim is to receive the "Green Leaves" award for sustainability.

Message from June 6^th, 2008
Beluga School for Life Charity Travel at Thailand’s Travel Mart/ Festival in Bangkok

„During June 5 - 8, 2008 you can visit us at Thailand’s Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) in Bangkok.

The TTM+ is the country’s largest travel mart and has achieved worldwide recognition for showcasing Thailand's renowned tourism products. It serves as a unique platform for travel trade to meet and exchange ideas on tourism trends that will impact Thailand, the region and the world.

Our Tourism Coordinators together with Weerasak Kowsurat,
Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports

Held in conjunction with TTM+, the annual Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) is the country’s largest travel and tourism showcase event that includes many activities to promote the preservation of Thai culture, traditions and local lifestyle.

The Beluga School for Life Charity Travel wants to explain why a stay in our guest area is different and unique. So we use this opportunity to present our sustainable travel offers and innovative projects like the new Hotel Training Institute at the TTF. You can find us at booth number N13.