RESILIENT KHAO LAK - Back In Full Swing

RESILIENT KHAO LAK - Back In Full Swing

Rounding the last of the hilly curves before the decent into the town of Khao Lak, pause for a moment at the hilltop walkway overlooking the Andaman Sea. The amazing story of Khao Lak unfolds. It is hard to imagine all that has happened here in the past few years — not the same disaster tale that brought this area to international media attention, for that is only the story's beginning. The rest of the story is a triumphant, indeed heroic, tale of a community that has demonstrated resilience, strength and self-determination. There is a peacefulness, and an understanding of life here that has deepened and been made more sweet by the work of a local community healing, and by the flood of compassion and international volunteers.

The town has been a beehive of activity. Alongside the efforts of big name relief outfits, local grassroots organizations popped up and began helping in creative and effective ways. One example is a humanitarian organization called the Ecotourism Training Center (ETC). The ETC mission has been to help young local people in Khao Lak gain new job skills in environmentally based tourism, while teaching the importance of protecting the natural environment. It has become the subject of an astonishing array of international and local media, coming to the attention of some 500 million people worldwide.

The young Thai students of the ETC have embarked on a remarkable journey to help resurrect the larger community. Far from being an isolated group, they have interfaced with other local people, relief organizations, businesses, international volunteer groups and local schools to help stimulate a rapid recovery.

RESILIENT KHAO LAK Back In Full Swing
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