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Launching of the iLEAD Program in Thailand

July 21 ~ August 4, 2008

Last July 2008, ICEF launched the iLEAD (i Learn Experience Accomplish & Dream) Program in which 10 US students from NJ and NY went to Thailand to learn and experience the culture and tradition firsthand while participating in sustainable service projects.   iLEAD aims to not only give these youths the opportunity to impact the lives of others but to help them appreciate, respect, and understand  different cultures.   Also, through exposing these youths to different types of service sectors, they will learn that there are various ways in which they can contribute to the society and the environment.

The first culture shock that the US students experienced was right when they were picked up from the airport.  Our Thai ICEF staff was sitting at the driver’s seat and he kept looking back to talk to the students, completely not paying attention to the road ahead.  The students were nervous until they realized that the driver seat in Thailand was on the right side.

The first few days were spent learning about the culture and religion through lectures, sightseeing and participating in common daily life activities of the Thai people.  The highlight of the trip for the students, however, was when they met their student partners from Rajabhat University, Chantaburi, and experienced living with their families for three days.  All of them came out of the experience with a sense of appreciation for all the material comforts they have back home.  They also came to realize that there are only a few things they need in life to live well.  Despite their language barrier, they realized that there is a common understanding and concern they have towards each other that goes beyond race, religion, and culture.  Even though the experience of living with the families only lasted a few days, when it was time to say goodbye, they parted with tears. 

To commemorate the experience, the US students each planted a tree with their student partner at the Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University grounds.  These trees will serve as a symbol of peace, friendship and a common vision for the future, and the Thai students pledged to continue to give their utmost care in making sure that these trees will grow to reach its full growth potential.  Scholarships were also given to these Thai students as support for their environmental studies.  These funds were actually personally raised by the US students themselves.  Even though the amount was not that much, because it came out of the students’ sincere efforts to support, it was greatly appreciated.

The rest of the days were spent at the Koh Wai Resort Island where the students physically challenged themselves to an all-night fishing and scuba diving adventure to see the beautiful corals that the island is known for.   They also had a chance to give back to the environment by participating in the coral reforestation project created by Professor Prasarn Sanghaibool.   After listening to lectures on the corals by a government marine biologist, they, together with local middle school students from Satripraseptsil School in Trat, worked together to make 6 coral bank frames from beginning to end, from cutting the pipes and assembling the frames to planting the corals into the ocean.   The students also experienced caring for the endangered green sea turtles.  They fed the turtles, disinfected their wounds, and cleaned their habitat.  For this project, coastal marine biologist Chalatip Junhompoo was there to teach facts about these endangered sea turtles and guide them in treating the turtles.

Another environmental impact that the students made during their visit was the coastal clean-up project at Bangbao.  They were warmly welcomed by Mayor Banjong Gayagasai and before starting the project, the US students gave out scholarship awards to ten fishermen’s children who demonstrated academic excellence but was in need of financial support.  The clean-up started with the US students, students from Bangbao and the Trat students removing litter from below the bungalows during low tide.  As the day progressed, the local fishermen and volunteers from the region joined in to help.  The real success of this project, however, was the fact that because of iLEAD’s initiative, the mayor declared for the clean-up to be conducted on a monthly basis.  This ensured that iLEAD’s project to help the environment was not going to be a one-time deal, but that it will be sustained through the commitment and ownership of the local sectors. 

The two week trip ended with the US students giving a presentation of the environmental work they had done in Thailand at the UNEP headquarters in Thailand.  The Director of Youth Programs of the UNEP was very impressed by the students’ presentation and the fact that they had taken ownership over the projects they had accomplished in Thailand.  And because of the great success of this first iLEAD project, we are determined to further develop the program and bring more students next Summer.