The Power of One: One elephant-dung brick at a time

How do you save the world with 60 Asian elephants, 25 teen volunteers and 100 saffron sashes? It’s all in the Power of One - one rescued elephant stems the tide of extinction; one Thai teen decides to go to college; one sash blessed by a monk is draped around a teak tree to protect the rainforest.

The Power of One program, sponsored by the nonprofit Blue Star of Hope (www.bluestarofhope.org), is a two-week, intercultural, global service learning experience that brings kids (student ambassadors) and adults together from all over the world to effect personal, social, and environmental change. Last year, volunteers from the US, Thailand, Russia and China stepped forward to do just that.

Blue Star of Hope Director Juelle Wilkins initiated the program in Thailand in 2006, with plans to extend it to other countries. Juelle believes, “This experience will prepare and empower the students for future employment and their rightful place in this world as future leaders.”

Her vision is grand, but her focus is small. “By living and working together, in service to local villages and peoples, the student ambassadors will research, craft and participate in possible solutions to local and global issues.”

To learn more about The Power of One, and apply for the December 2008 program in Thailand, go to www.bluestarofhope.org.

A highlight of Power of One 2007 was a week’s stay in northern Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park, a conservation refuge for wounded and abused elephants. Teens fed, bathed, and bonded with elephants rescued from abuse, and worked alongside Myanmar refugees who serve as mahouts (elephant handlers).

Participant Max Woolf took charge one day when the group’s job was to make 125 bricks from straw, mud, and elephant dung to build a hut. “It was hot, everyone was tired, and the work was hard,” Max says. The bricks just weren’t happening. Using his know-how as a hotel manager in Boston, Max organized teams, designated tasks, and set up a workflow. Soon everyone was singing and laughing, up to their elbows in mud, and the bricks stacked up quickly.

Power of One students also delivered school supplies to a remote Hill tribe village, met with Burmese refugee children near the Myanmar border, and conducted “English Camp” for 150 rural Thai high school students. But it wasn’t all work. Exploring Bangkok, singing, dancing, journaling and sharing their stories gave everyone time to relax and enjoy being together.

The program influenced Max to serve his own community in Boston. Others found their own unique empowerment: A Thai boy gained the self-confidence and proficiency in English to become a tour guide. An American girl resolved to address conflicts with her father. An adult volunteer returned to southern Thailand to teach. “We’re at a time in history where people want to come together to make a difference,” Max says. “No matter what the challenge, if you go with the right attitude, you can’t go wrong.”