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Up at 6 and
at the garden by 10 after! As one of our main goals is to offer skills
that will lead to self-sufficiency and a natural and healthy lifestyle,
farming plays an important role in our community. Much effort is put
towards educating the children to respect and appreciate Mother Nature
as a means of survival. Providing this skill is crucial in that not
only does it allow the children to feed themselves, but gives them
the opportunity to create an income. As farming is the heart of Thailand,
we believe teaching these skills are vital. Currently Moo Baan Dek
has a very successful gardening project. Every morning before breakfast
and every evening before dinner the entire community works together
to maintain our garden. We have many herbs, vegetables and fruit,
which help us to learn about agriculture, and also help fill our tummies!
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After some serious work at
the farm, everyone heads back home to do some household chores. Sweeping,
mopping, and rolling away mats. (top) |
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Time for breaky! Each day a different
house prepares breakfast for the entire community. Breakfast is
cooked and scooped onto bowls at the main kitchen. (Top)
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At 8:30, an assembly of all
the students is held in the open air theatre. Here the kids have a
short meditation, Buddhist prayer, allegiance to the flag and any
announcement. The end of each assembly is always marked with an arithmetic
game. (Top) |
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Time to get serious... sort
of! This is the time for academic studies. Math, English, Thai, and
Science are offered classes. They are taught, not in the traditional
setting of a classroom, but on every inch of the natural school. When
studying soil in science, class is at the garden. Often classes will
take place under the shade of a tree or upon the dock by the river.
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LUNCH TIME!!! When the big old bell
clangs at noon, we all collect our bowls and spoons and fill them
up at the kitchen. Lunch, as well as every other meal, is always
rice accompanied by a curry or soup or vegetable. Everybody wanders
off with their full bowls and finds a comfy place of their choice
to eat.(Top)
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After lunch, the students
go off to practice the craft of their choice. Woodworking, Batik,
Ceramics, Weaving Sewing, Electrical Work and Painting. The afternoons
are designed to nurture creativity as well as fine tune skills that
can be used as an income. (Top) |
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SNACK TIME!!!
At 3:30 every afternoon, the big iron bell clatters and the kids come
running, bowl in hand, to check out what yummy sweet has been whipped
up. Everyday it is different. Fresh fruit, ovaltine, sweet coconut
milk, cookies and now with the new oven in the main kitchen all sorts
of goodies are landing in those bowls! (top) |
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It is time to hit the river! Jumping
and flipping off the docks to wash away the shampoo, scrubbing at
dirty shorts and tee-shirts... Bath time is a fun time! (top)
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After swim time,
the kids and staff head out to the garden to fetch veggies and herbs
for diner. Each house prepares their own diner and eats together as
would a family. The kids and staff share the cooking. In my house,
the favorite dish is spicy green papaya salad. All the ingredients
come from the garden and it is pounded up in a clay pot with a heavy
wooden baton. (Top) |
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In the evenings
the kids are free to study, hang out in the library, watch news on
television, play games, study, sing songs, read... (top) |
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By the time
9:30 comes around, the kids are so exhausted they just about fall
down onto their mats. (Top) |
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Off to the market...
Every Thursday afternoon a bunch of kids and staff cram into the
back of the big MBD truck and head to town. Along the way to the
market the truck stops to fill up the gas tanks, weigh the recycling
and check the mail. Once at the market the truck unloads, and everyone
scurries around with lists of supplies need for the week. At 5pm,
everyone meets back at truck, and under, over, around and on top
of supplies we wedge ourselves for the journey back home.(top)
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School Council Meetings
- Every Monday evening from 7pm until 9pm, the entire community
gathers in the assembly hall to discuss the workings of the school.
It is here where the students and staff can voice their opinions,
vote on rules and regulations and bring up issues which they have
faced over the week. This meeting is a very important aspect of
MBD as it facilitates the self-governing philosphy the school is
molded upon.(top)
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Saturday Morning Community Work-
After breakfast on Saturday morning, the entire community gets together
to work on one big task. Like an army of ants, the whole school
works togther to get things done.
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Wednesday Night Theatre-
On the final Wednesday of each month the kids and staff put on a
theatre. The students work all month on their skits and dances and
songs. They put a lot of effort into costumes and props. The Wednesday
night theatre is always a good way to end the month.
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