Big Moves
It’s been a crazy few months here at site. Granted, I was gone for the majority of a month in Vietnam and Siem Reap, but there’s been some major progressions at the center I’ve been working at. Firstly, its name has changed, since it’s been officially recognized as one of Cambodia’s newest locally run NGOs. Formerly known as Botam Sakor International Language Education Center, or BSILEC, we’ve revamped the name and using Adobe illustrator, came up with the new name of the organization and logo:
Formerly focused on English language teaching, we’ve decided to move onto more locally-based needs, primarily: organic farming, alternative fuel sourcing (methane gas production and usage), livestock raising using sustainable methods, fertilizer production, tourism management, tourism organizational strategies and basic tour operations.
Since December, we’ve procured 4 mountain bikes for day-rentals, a boat for tour operations to the various mangrove forests, dolphin-sighting areas, fishing, day-trips and various other destinations. We’ve also been working on trying to get the conservation group working in the area to lend more support on our projects, which are primarily aimed at handling and using the stipulations placed upon the village by the conservation group and national environmental protection laws. Amazingly, they’ve listened to us and are now in talks with joining up with us as a co-partner in our efforts to aid in the reforestation of the area as well as providing technical training for locals for tour operations as well as possibly helping with our bio-gas tank production as other fuel sources are either illegal, expensive, or both.
With the support of various ministries both provincially and nationally, BSCDO is in the final steps of being registered as a Cambodian NGO. We’re planning a big summer with the expansion of our bio-fuel tank projects, expanding to the smaller villages off the main road, who are in need of a cheaper and more legal form of fueling. We’re also going to be adding a tourism class for the local students, guest housing options for travelers, organic farming tutorials and treking/camping trips around the area.
By providing technical English training to interested participants to become local tour guides, we’re going to provide a new and growing area with more support.
I can’t say that this all happened because of me (I’m not the one in meetings 4 days a week like Sopheap), but it’s been amazing to see the work that BSCDO has put into making this work, considering it’s just two guys and myself. Sopheap and Lim have gone above and beyond and are really making big moves in such a short amount of time. I’m hoping that the momentum keeps up and that by fall this year we’ll have full tour operations as well as an instituted tourism class for the local students. We’ve also been talking about connecting with WWOF (World-wide organic farming) and bringing interested individuals to our town to participate in the growing organic-farming interests that are really picking up here.
It’s been an epic welcome back if I’ve ever seen one and it seems like this is only the beginning of a sincerely ridiculous summer. Briiiiing it.
Be easy,
Matt
Below are some pics of the Bio-fuel tanks using animal waste as a clean and efficient source of methane gas for cooking, lighting and small-based needs. Plus, it makes a great fertilizer after the methane release. Also some other stuff we’ve been doing.
putting together the tanks
Pouring a 50-50% mixture of cow and pig dung for a higher methane yield. By pouring the dung into the blue 200 liter container, we then seal it and then allow it to ferment and decompose, releasing various gasses such as Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen and most importantly Methane. The gasses then transfer to the black 220 liter and 120 liter (blue) tank. The upturned blue 120 liter tank, submerged in water will rise as the gasses transfer and condense. Once the gas begins to collect, the nozzles are then turned and when connected to a stove, lamp, or other power device can provide a great deal of energy. One Cubic meter of methane gas from these tanks can cook three meals for one day for a family of 5-6 people. Considering shit is everywhere here, this is a pretty great way to save money considering one Kilowatt of electricity in the area is around 7000 riel (roughly $1.5) which is 7x the average of the prices in America.
The bikes we received as a tourist donation.
The nearly completed henhouse we’ve been putting together
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