Isara - Mekong River Clean-up Campaign: Boat Project

Over the past week, Isara volunteers have been working on a boat built with recycled materials for the Mekong River Clean-up Campaign. The plan is to raise awareness about the Mekong River garbage problem to riverside communities, from areas in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. To get that message across, Kirk will be sailing down the Mekong on a boat built with recycled plastic bottles, recycled wood, solar panels, and electric engine. (I'm sure there are more parts, but I don't know what they are.) I'm pretty sure this is going to surprise a lot of the communities the project will reach out too.

I wish I could be there to see the boat set sail, but I will be in Laos or Cambodia by then. Unless, the days coincide with my dates in whichever area it will be. Either way, I'm cheering this project on from wherever I am. I feel fortunate to have worked on such a project with heart and impact (I'm sure of it).

Here are a few photos of the volunteers sanding and painting the wood. It's progressed a lot more since these photos, so for more photos and information on this project, go here at the Isara website. Please visit! Not only will you find out more about the boat, you will be instantly donating by viewing the webpage.

Halloween at Isara

Instead of classes on Friday, Isara threw a Halloween party. It's not a holiday Thailand celebrates, so it was pretty much a DIY deal, from costumes to decorations.The kids had such a blast, they didn't even want to leave.


We had a costume contest for the boys...


...and girls.


Outside on the deck


Pumpkin carving


Jack O'Lanterns and snackies (pumpkins here are not quite like the ones at home)


I was pretty stoked about making some crafts. Made some mouse ears for me and some kids who didn't have costumes.


We played plenty of games. They were going nuts for the Balloon Stomp (above). I'm pretty sure the kids played 10 rounds. (We had A LOT of balloons.)

But overall, it was really fun! Great to see the kids having a good time.

Getting Ready for Halloween

For once, I don't have to think about what am I going to do this year for Halloween in the States. I don't have to look for the best party to spend the night at, or try to think of a super creative costume for one of those nights that is totally hyped up, and usually a let down. But you know, I am a little sad I am going to miss it (especially dressing up! 3 costumes just for last year, aww yeah). Thailand does not celebrate Halloween; but why would they? It's a Buddhist country.

But...Isara is going to celebrate! We are throwing a party on Friday, instead of holding classes. I am more excited for the kids to celebrate it really. It's definitely a children's holiday. We spent a lot of time today decorating the main classroom by making posters, coloring cartoons and blowing up balloons. We only had one class today, but there were a lot of kids helped out. They are very excited for tomorrow.

Here are some photos of everyone getting ready....








I'll post pictures of the actual halloween party when they are ready.

Happy Halloween!!!