A Wicked visit to the Baan San Fan Orphanage

Hello everyone, and Happy Halloween :)


We have been having all sorts of fun here in Khao Lak and out at the Similan Islands. The beginning of the season is truly off to a great start. If these past 2 weeks are any indication of how the rest of the season will be going, man oh man are we in for a treat! Incredible diving conditions, beautiful weather (especially considering it is still technically the tail end of monsoon season) a few special guest appearances by a Manta Ray and a Whale Shark, as well as having lots of fun with our guests who have come from all corners of the globe to spend some time with us.

The Divemaster Trainee's that are here with us right now have been very eager and excited to get involved with some of our local community projects, and 2 days ago they had the opportunity to come out and spend a day at the Baan San Fan Orphanage with us. The following article has been written by DMT Beth Hird.

Our Visit to Baan San Fan Orphanage

Arriving by truck at the orphanage, we were greeted by about 25 people, several adults and many children, lots of smiles, handshakes and hugs! Sam and Kai, a couple who run the orphanage, welcomed us warmly. Dai explained that the children range in age from 1 1/2 years old to 17 years, and that a Swiss man had purchased the land after the tsunami in order to create an orphanage for the many stranded children. He also provided funding until his death this past year. We were excited to have a chance to visit, and to do an art project with Simon, and the children seemed excited by our visit and the anticipation of a project.

Simon, a photographer and artist, immediately produced a huge stack of photos, and spread them out all over the 2 large tables, while demonstrating how to cut them up and collage them with glue onto A1 sized colored construction paper. The kids immediately took to the project, cutting up the photos and sometimes even the paper itself, with shapes of hearts and squiggles and swirls. As each child finished one, they would hold it up to show all of us, delighting in the finished artwork. Even the DMT's were invited to make a collage, and the children were also invited to use Simon's Nikon camera to take photographs of the process. Great fun!

Later, Sam took us on a tour of the grounds, where we saw cottages, and a larger building where the organic, soaps, shampoos and conditioners were made. Further on we visited the chickens, which provide all the eggs for the Wicked Diving live aboard trips. The chickens were housed in a huge structure with plenty of space to run around in. Sam explained that the water in the system was created by digging up a whole small banana plant, cutting it into fine pieces, and fermenting it in a large  amount of water with sugar cane. This liquid was then added at a ratio of 2 tablespoons per 20 litres of water. Apparently the banana plant provides anti-bacterial and anti-microbial protection to the water, preventing the chickens from getting sick. 

Sam also explained that he has a vision of making the entire property a solar energy-run system, where excess energy could be sold back to the current energy providers. The property already has a methane producing system run from decomposing compostable materials, and all the food is cooked with this system. The vegetables are also grown on the land, making it a self-sustainable system.

At the end of our visit we got together for a group photo, and then spent a few moments talking with Kai. She says there is room at the orphanage for more children, but until more funds come in, they can't accept the children who are waiting. Truly, it's a great place!

Beth Hird

We had such a wonderful day indeed, and are so grateful to have people like Beth here with us who share common passion for getting involved and helping out the local community as much as possible.

On the ride home from the Orphanage we were all feeling hopeful and positive. We made a pit stop at a bike shop, and left with 5 brand new bicycles! Our intentions are to rent them out to the DMTs and/or Wicked guests who want and eco- friendly, and very affordable way to get around town. We love being

Green :)

Please check out The Baan San Fan Website

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more Eco updates in the very near future.

Christa x

-Wicked Diving Thailand