Hey this is Pearl reporting from Thailand in regards to the Tsunami recovery efforts and the role of Burners Without Borders here. I have lived in this part of Thailand for 3 years and witnessed the tsunami and the savage effects. I can say that recovery is going along at an amazing pace. The Thais have such an amazing resilience and positive approach to things that I am in awe. Truly, they are a grand people.

I'd also like to report, with glee that there are at least two significant tsunami relief efforts being organized by Burners! Reid Ridgway has co-founded and operates ETC, the Ecotourism Training Center, which is located here in Khao Lak, one of the hardest hit areas in Thailand. The Center is a direct response to the Tsunami and has made a real contribution to his students. Just another 50 miles north in Kuraburi, Bodhi Garrett is helping run NATR, the North Andaman Tsunami Relief center. http://www.godifferently.com/golden_buddha_beach.asp (sorry to send to a commercial site, but NATR website has been unreachable). I met Reid through Burner connections, and Bodhi Garret just saw my DPW shirt one day and walked up! We are everywhere! I am doing my part by conducting first aid courses and trying to spread as much safety awareness as possible. The biggest hurdle has been lack of teaching materials in Thai - a real problem here. But baby steps...

I can assure you that there are plenty more Burners represented in the Tsunami efforts, I just haven't met them - yet.

Breathe -p "

Contact Pearl directly via pearl (at) burningman (dot) com