6 Week Intensive Permaculture Training and
and Natural Building Workshop
November 6th-December 18th 2003

Thailand

The Whispering Seed recently acquired a lush 25-acre farm along a magnificent river in Northern Thailand, and this will be the first project hosted on the land. The land is covered in ancient mango groves and many types of tropical fruits and flowers.The Whispering Seed is a village based community learning center and home for orphaned and abused children based in Northern Thailand...

6 WEEK PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE & NATURAL BUILDING TRAINING: Design and build a sustainable center for orphaned children in Northern Thailand.
November 6 - December 18, 2003
Phitsanulok, Central Thailand
(Space is limited to 15 foreign participants. Early inquiries are encouraged.)

THE PROJECT
The Whispering Seed is a village-based community learning center and home for orphaned and abused children. The Whispering Seed focuses on finding the joy in serving others through cross-cultural exchanges, sustainable living practices, and natural childrearing. They are active in the international alternative education movement, including organizing and hosting international conferences and youth travel programs. They have recently acquired beautiful land which will be their permanent home...Join in the creation of this special place, which will model sustainable living through permaculture, natural building, organic farming, and holistic education.

THE TRAINING
In this hands-on intensive training course we will create an overall design, develop the land, and build the first earthen dwellings at the new home of The Whispering Seed. The training includes the full 72-hour Permaculture Design and Practicum Certification requirements, along with in-depth hands-on application of your newly learned skills. Also, Thailand's foremost earthen builders will be leading the group in the construction the adobe andwattle and daub main house. The subjects that will be covered during the training include the following:

PERMACULTURE
We will cover 72 hours of Permaculture Principles and Design Practicum course work including:
-Site Observation, Assessment, & Design
-Regenerative Land Management
-Organic Gardening
-Forest Gardens
-Water Catchment
-Edible and Medicinal Plant Identification
-Composting Toilets
-Fruit Cultivation
-Seed-Saving
-A Pattern Language

NATURAL BUILDING
We will design and construct buildings for Whispering Seed’s Home for Children, including:
-Appropriate Design
-Indigenous Materials
-Adobe
-Wattle and Daub
-Cob
-Bamboo
-Natural Finishes: Plasters & Aliz
-Thatch Roof
-Foundation work

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
We will work with villagers, learning about local Thai culture, including:
-Traditional weaving, spinning and natural dying
-Cultural dance and theatre performances by local youth groups
-Visits to nearby waterfalls and Buddhist temples
-Making mud bricks with local primary school students

Other work will include: creating organic gardens, orchards, composting toilets, bamboo and mud houses, learning how and where to plant and place things so that functions and energy from each element serves multiple purposes with the intention of creating a self-reliant system. Time permitting, we will also work with rice paddy and cotton fields and do restorative planting on nearby land that was recently cut and burned.

CO-SPONSORS
Whispering Seed (Thailand)
Kleiwerks Natural Building (USA)
Rosemary Morrow (Australia)

INSTRUCTORS/FACILITATORS
Rosemary Morrow (Australia), Jon Jandai (Thailand), Nao Sangkara (Thailand), Em Ponna (Cambodia), Aporn Pumpanna (Thailand), Jim Connor (USA), Janell Kapoor (USA), and special guest presenters from Thailand.
ROSEMARY MORROW is a long-time Permaculture instructor from Australia. For the past 14 years she has worked extensively in Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. Rosemary played a large part in establishing Permaculture paractices in Albania. She has recently worked in Afghanistan. Her dedication and service to farmers and villagers worldwide, as well as to people of war-torn nations is outstanding. Rosemary is author of 'The Earth-User's Guide to Permaculture' as well as numerous other books. (Rosemary's full bio is very extensive. For more information about her go to 'www.google.com' and type in "Rosemary Morrow, Permaculture.")
JON JANDAI grew up in a village in Northeast Thailand. He is one of the country's leading earthen builders, having shared his knowledge with thousands of fellow villagers, architects, activists, students, and foreigners. Jon has an in-depth experience of indigenous building and permaculture in action. He has worked with widespread people's movements throughout Thailand, encouraging and modeling ways for farmers to be more self-reliant: for them to grow their own food, build their own houses, stay out of debt, and once again work together to provide for themselves and their communities...and have fun. Jon is an outstanding model and inspiration to all who have the pleasure of working with him.
EM PONNA has been a permaculture project manager for years at a center in Pursat, Cambodia. She is the head of the Department of Women's and Veteran's Affairs in Pursat. Em is a dynamic community organizer who inspires all who work with her.
APORN POOMPANNA, since 1987 has practiced natural farming including agro-forestry, biodiversity management, applied Indigeneous Microorganism Farming, and permaculture. She has studied with Bill Mollison, as well as Fukuoka's pratices, Korean Natural farming, and traditional Thai methods. Aporn has translated the only book on permaculture in Thailand and is involved with The Friends of the Poor Foundation.
JANELL KAPOOR, founder and director of Kleiwerks Natural Building, is an avid mud mama, international activist and community organizer. Since 1997, she has shared the joy and art of earthen building with people from 24 countries, including the first earthen building trainings in Thailand, which have since spread to thousands.

GUEST SPEAKERS
Each weekend there will be a presentation by a visiting specialist from the following fields:
-Traditional Thai Farming & Applied Permaculture
-Hill-tribe Wisdom and Deep Ecology
-Politics of Jasmine Rice on the International Market
-Buddhism & Monk’s Life
-International & Intercultural Activism

THE LAND
Currently there are two pieces of land that are part of Whispering Seed...

Situated beside a river is 15 acres covered with relatively large native mango groves. Coconut palm trees and giant stands of bamboo dot the land, along with many fruit trees and flowers including: jackfruit, papayas, bananas, pineapple, lam yai, pomelo, durian, maprang, roseapple, tamarind, hibiscus, lanthom (frangipani), bougainvillea, and much more. The land is mostly shaded by the mango trees and is mostly flat, with a small slope near the edge of the river. This area has problems with erosion on the banks due to flooding in the monsoon season.

The other parcel is eleven acres directly across the river. This land was recently burned and cut completely of all trees and bamboo. The cutting was done on a large slope, creating major erosion problems. There is a small stream that moves all through this land with native stands of bamboo all along the waters edge. It has a variety of slopes of varying degrees. There are several jackfruit trees and a few lemon, banana and tamarind, which were all damaged by the fire. Wild fires are rampant in this area and a hazard during the dry season. There is also a wonderful area on this land to put in a rice paddy. We also hope to plant cotton on this land.

PARTICIPANTS
There will be a total of 30 participants, with 15 representatives from Thai, Burmese, and Southeast Asian NGO’s, activist networks, and villages. The other half will be foreigners. We encourage participants (but this is not required) to have experience with some of the following: sustainable living, intentional community, activism, deep ecology, holistic education, organic farming, non-profit work, intercultural exchange, documenting, landscape architecture, construction, wilderness training, leadership skills, local involvement, and so on.

FEE
Foreigners:
There is no outside funding for this program. Participants from cash-rich countries will provide the funding to make this course possible. The fee will cover your tuition, food, lodging, travel costs for instructors, money for materials and the orphanage, and scholarships for Southeast Asian community leaders and grassroots organizers, including five youth.

The fee is comparable to what it would cost at home, knowing that it can go so much further in Thailand. If the fee is still beyond your reach we encourage you to ask for sponsorship from friends, family, and organizations you are affiliated with who would be interested in supporting this work. Any extra income from this training will assist Whispering Seed to acquire the land for the orphanage.

$2,200-$1,800 USD sliding scale for people from cash-rich countries (United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand). Includes tuition, permaculture design and practicum certification, delicious Thai meals, camping, materials, ground transportation, scholarships for the majority of the Thai activists, and support for Whispering Seed. Airfare is not included in the cost.

Thai and other Southeast Asians:
$0-$20,000 Baht sliding scale depending on what you can contribute. Scholarships are available for activists, villagers, farmers, refugees, students, etc. Please email Nao at whisperingseed@wildmail.com.

REGISTRATION
Foreigners: To register email kirti@kleiwerks.com. Please include the following information in no more than 2 pages:
1) Why do you want to join this training?
2) What do you intend to do with what you learn? How will you apply and share it?
3) What previous experience do you have in the fields listed above in the 'participant section?' Please include past and current endeavors, organizations, networks, and projects that you are involved with.
4) How do you plan to pay for the training? How much will you contribute?
5) Include your name, address, age, ancestry, and anything else you would like to add.

Once your registration has been accepted, a $300 NON-REFUNDABLE tax-deductible deposit is required to confirm and hold your space. Please send a personal check, money order, or international money order signed to:

"East-West Cultural Organization"
(note 'Whispering Seed' in the memo line)
57 Clearwater Drive
Willingboro, NJ 08046
USA

Thai and other Southeast Asians: Contact Nao at whisperingseed@wildmail.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Email kirti@kleiwerks.com.

2 WEEK HANDS-ON NATURAL BUILDING WORKSHOP
Build the first dwellings of a sustainable learning center and seed-saving bank.
Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand (at Ban Mea Jo)
February 13-27, 2004
Instructors/Facilitators: Jon Jandai (Thailand), Thai (Thailand), Peggy Reents (USA), and Michel Spaan (Holland).

Join Thailand's leading earthen builders on their new land and sustainable seed-saving center. Friends and supporters will join from many countries to play in the mud and create 3 earthen dwellings at this tropical paradise. This workshop will also help raise funds to pay off the land and be debt-free.

The huts will include adobe, bamboo, and wattle and daub. Materials will be from the land itself including: earth, rice straw and husk, bamboo, water, round wood, thatch, and stone. Other topics will include seed-saving and organic gardening.

A little about Jon Jandai...Thailand’s leading earthen builder who has inspired thousands of fellow villagers to move toward a simpler, happier way of life.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Jon and friends have just started on these beautiful 9 acres of land, which is next to a national park and a small village of 100 families. Buildings and accommodations are basic. There is a covered sala (eating area), and temporary toilets and showers. You will need to bring your own tent and bedding.

FOOD
Delicious organic vegetarian Thai meals will be provided. If you prefer some meat in your diet, that can be provided as well.

FEE
Foreigners:
This event is helping to support the purchase of the 9 acres, as well as the building of the center. Foreigners from cash-rich countries are asked to contribute a sliding scale of $800-$300 (includes tuition, vegetarian meals, camping, and materials). We ask that you aim to meet the middle. If you can afford more it is much appreciated and will help cover those who need financial help. If you cannot afford the low end we encourage community fund-raising. If you are still unable to meet the low end of the sliding scale please talk with us and we will work something out.

Thai and other Southeast Asians:
$0-$6,000 Baht sliding scale depending on what you can contribute. Scholarships are available for activists, villagers, farmers, refugees, students, etc. Please email Peggy at pareents@yahoo.com.

REGISTRATION
Please email to Peggy at pareents@yahoo.com:
-Name, address, age, and ancestry?
-Why you would like to join this workshop?
-What you intend to do with what you learn?
-What you do, networks and organizations you work with?
-How much you will be able to contribute?

Foreigners: After we receive your registration a $200 NON-REFUNDABLE tax-deductible deposit is required to hold your space. Please send deposit of personal check, money order, or international money order to:
"East-West Cultural Organization"
(with 'Jon Jandai' in the memo line)
c/o 57 Clearwater Drive
Willingboro, NJ 08046

INFORMATION
For more information visit www.kleiwerks.com or email Peggy at pareents@yahoo.com.

NATURAL BUILDING IN SOUTH INDIA
Following this training, there will be a month-long natural building workshop hosted in Chennai, South India, co-hosted by Kleiwerks and Buddha Smiles (an Indian NGO), December 28, 2003 - January 25th, 2004. This project will be to create a traditional village-based school for poor children. For more information click here.

(Already full)
INTERFAITH SOLIDARITY FOREST WALKS: In Support of the Hilltribe People of Northern Thailand
2003-2004, Near Chaing Mai, Thailand
Since 1995, the Hilltribe People of Northern Thailand, Spirit in Education Movement, and the Boulder Institute for Nature and Human Spirit have hosted these annual 10-day walks. Each walk focuses around coming together to bear witness, share stories, and support a way of life which has profoundly touched and inspired each of us. Participants have included a combination of foreigners, modern Thai, and Hilltribe leaders, from a wide spectrum of communities, villages, non-profits, activist and spiritual organizations. In particular, the PgazK'Nyau (Karen) people have impressed past groups with their strong urge to look after the forest and maintain their way of life in the face of modern consumerism and unsustainable development. The Interfaith Solidarity Forest Walks are highly recommended, especially if you are involved with sustainable living, indigenous people's support, community and permaculture. One participant said it well for the rest of us, "In my life, this has been the most powerful experience with regards to spirituality, deep ecology, politics, cultural exchange, and community."

For more information visit http://www.sulak-sivaraksa.org/, or email ashram@cscoms.com.

THE 4TH GLOBAL COMMUNITY GATHERING
The 4th Annual Global Community Gathering and Thai Trip for Foreign Students (February-March 2004). The program will include students from other countries. Come learn, volunteer, and visit sustainable projects in Thailand.Focus is on village-based schools, life, crafts, and so on. The program begins this year with the 4th Global Gathering and will be 4-8 weeks long. For more information email Jim Connor at whisperingseed@wildmail.com.

OTHER NATURAL BUILDING IN THAILAND
There are a number of on-going earthen building projects throughout Thailand. For more information visit http://www.sulak-sivaraksa.org, or email Jon Jandai at: jonjandai@hotmail.com.