A second workshop was the capstone to our time in Bo Klua, this one attended by 45 farmers (surpassing our "limit" of 30).

Some more numbers: the total attendance for the two workshops was 68 farmers from 15 villages, even accounting for the 8 that had eagerly returned from the first workshop to build their own weeder. The attendees represent 4,500 farmers in their own villages, and thousands more in the broader community. Ages ranged from 14 to 77, and 42% were female.

We were struck at these workshops by the willingness of attendees young and old, male and female, trained and untrained, to ask questions and offer constructive criticism. Sangjan is an example: she boldly and immediately made design suggestions in front of the crowd, then used a drill for the first time. We have, with the SDRF's partnership, crossed a threshold difficult to achieve in development in general and Thailand in particular: participation and empowerment. In resonance with the SDRF's vision as described by founder Jim Gustafson, we see ourselves as catalysts, enjoying the honor of helping to unlock and enable people. 

This time, the SDRF truly ran the event. Kruchan was the master of ceremonies and Sewang led the group in building their own tools.

It's hard to believe, but tomorrow (7/8) we depart for Bangkok. As our presence fades away, we are absolutely certain that our impact will not shrink, but grow. The photos below prove it.

This post covers two days (7/5 - 7/6) to help catch up.

One of the most important principles in this program is collaboration. Drexel, the SDRF, and Bo Klua residents have worked together since 2009, and today offered some great examples of why. Two SDRF staff, Sewang and Nut, solved engineering problems that had perplexed us for months in a matter of minutes. For example, they created a novel way to do in 1 minute a manufacturing step that normally took us 30! It was humbling, but greatly satisfying. We're all working toward common goals, and know now more than ever that true strength comes from making sustainable development a two-way street. This helped us to finalize the design, prepare parts for the 7/7 workshop, and refine the manual.

We enjoyed giving a seminar to the ~15 students that live at the SDRF's Center in Bo Klua, each chosen for their great financial need and even greater potential for success. We communicated a good bit through physical comedy (it translates well) and the students bravely made 2 tools.

On 7/6 we visited two federal programs in the area: Phu Fa (a project of the Princess) and the King's Project. Both are pursuing holistic sustainable development, and are interested in pursuing collaboration with our team and the SDRF. One official suggested that we schedule a meeting with a high-ranking administrator in the palace in Bangkok! (Yes, the palace where the royal family lives.) We look forward to the next steps.

Enjoy the photos!

Our day of rest happened to fall on the Fourth of July, so we celebrated in grand style!

We hiked on a trail with amazing waterfalls and climbed all over, and in, the biggest one. We then visited the famous Bo Klua salt well and were invited into a Buddhist temple. Tuan, co-owner of the Bo Klua View Resort and a 5-star chef, amazed us with an intricate feast that would draw crowds anywhere. He even grew many of the ingredients himself!

Enjoy the photos!

Today was a major milestone for the Drexel Thai Harvest Initiative: a full-day workshop with 31 attendees from 8 villages!

The SDRF publicized and hosted the event, cementing their position as local and long-term leader. We explained the tool and its manufacture then, with the help of many volunteers from the audience, built one together. Each village then built one and was proud to take it home, along with an informational poster about the tool. The SDRF affirmed their open-door policy, being available for people to build this and other tools at what will hopefully become a permanent machine shop.

With the average village population being 300 we reached 2,400 people today, and look forward to another workshop on July 7.

This post is best explained in pictures, so here they are!