Earth Systems Science, Inc.

ESSI's Global Reach

Jul 09, 2002

In an effort to expand horizons for community-based education, ESSI began discussions in Thailand to follow-up on the Los Angeles Geographical Society's (LAGS) international volunteer program that Greg Lee (ESSI co-founder) organized in summer 1999. LAGS participation in the project ended officially in summer 2000 when the Thai Ministry of Interior (MOI) declined to extend an invitation to the LAGS volunteers for summer 2001.

The project then took on a life of its own, with Lee maintaining contact the the local Thais through voluntary efforts of the local Thai MOI Community Development Officer. The training started with 5 Thai volunteers from 3 villages being trained by Lee and other LAGS volunteers. By Fall 2001, the training spread to about 23 villages and included more than 600 people. This was the first major field test of the community-based education methods now at the core of ESSI programs. (You can read more about the LAGS Thai project by clicking on the LAGS International Travel Committee item in the "Our Hot Links" section of the sidebar to the left.)

Current talks in Thailand between Lee and local villagers center on gathering follow-up information about the volunteer pilot project. The goal is to refine the methods used in the Thai project. This can then be applied back in Los Angeles for neighborhood pilot projects and future grant applications. Also, local villagers in another northern Thai province have expressed interest in replicating the earlier Thai efforts but through ESSI. The LAGS is currently undergoing restructuring due to shifts in the leadership. The reorganization efforts may not be able to support an international volunteer project.

While ESSI is in its formative stages, a long range organizational goal is to provide international opportunities for ESSI program participants. So the talks this summer in Thailand are considered to be sowing seeds for a future "harvest." Watch for future announcements as this develops.


Update: Since the original publishing of this article, Greg Lee met with some local villagers in Ban Thawangpa, Nan Province. Rainy weather prevented conducting the field survey of the local area. However, local contacts are enthusiastic about undertaking a community-based education project. Topics discussed were similar to those in Ban Tha Ko: composting, non-toxic pest control, soil erosion control (but also including flood control). There are many details to work out especially the formalities with the local collaborating organization.

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