Help the Reef Doctor save the Ocean

I am a geographer at heart and living in a Vietnam, I have seen first hand the impact that we can have on the environment. Volunteering at ReefDoctor in Madagascar is an incredible opportunity for me to learn about marine conservation and educating locals on the importance of the ocean at the Bay of Ranobe. Not only this, I will be able to immerse myself in a new and absolutely fascinating culture of the Vezo - living along side the Malagasy fishing village. Please help me make this dream come true!

Just £5 - you are already making a big impact! Donations over £50 will receive a hand-drawn card from me as a token of thanks. Look on the right sidebar to make a donation!

Who I am?


I am a devoted Vietnamese swimmer, curious young explorer and a passionate geographer. My dream is to learn and see as much as possible of the beautiful and fascinating world around me. I am inspired by the beauty encapsulated in my home country - Vietnam through many self-exploring trip and want to help conserving the very best Vietnam has to offer.

Being a diver and having a passion for the underwater world strike me to see the impact human have on the ocean. I am hoping to study Geography in University to further strengthen my understanding of the world today.

Read more about me and my travel at: Oceanandfishes.blogspot.com

About ReefDoctor



http://www.reefdoctor.org/
ReefDoctor Research Assistant program trains volunteers to gain skills in Marine conservation, research and management projects. Volunteers will contribute to the long term running of marine research programme, contributing and management of threatened marine ecosystems in the Bay of Ranobe and sustainble development of Vezo community.

Bay of Ranobe is a 32 km reef system part of the Taliara Barrier Reef Complex - 400 km system of nearly continuous shallow water reed - one of the most extensive coral reef system in the  Western Indian Ocean and 3rd largest in the world. The system is now under threat.

What is my personal target and Where your money go?
To fund this expedition, I am going to need at least £1600 for the cost of the volunteer period of 6 weeks in Ifaty, Madagascar. This exclude additional costs of buying diving kit required and air flight to the project site which I will be saving for.




If you make a donation over £50, you will receive a handmade card made personally by me send to you as a token of thanks. (I am an artist :) so it won't be a kid drawing) An example is show here
Of course, I will be writing and updating my blog as much as I can to keep you, my donor involve with me and my work here.

What I will be doing on the project?
I plan to spend 6 weeks on the project learning as much as possible about marine conservation including training in fish ID, underwater surveying techniques and participate in local community education and outreach projects.

Why this project is so important to me?
As a Vietnamese - a growing developing country, there are many problems that still stiffen Vietnam. While social problems exist and are being tackled (albeit slowly), less focus has been to look at developing sustainability and protecting the environment. This issue is becoming increasingly important because of the fast growing and dependent on tourism as one of the major source of income. Pollution, overfishing and overused of tourists are showing clear signs of having an affect on Vietnam's coral reef and marine health.

This opportunity will be an incredible opportunity for me to gain skills about marine conservation. More from that, I will be immersing myself into a totally new culture and undoubtedly will learn so much from the Vezo people of the bay. I will be living alongside a traditional Malagasy fishing community and gain insight into the unique of Vezo culture.

What am I expecting when I am on the trip?
To be completely submerged in the beauty of the people and the fishing village here. I will have to brush up on french and malagasy to communicate. It will be an eye-opener and I cannot wait to learn all about the underwater world!

How do you know your money will be spend directly on the project?
During this expedition, I will be writing entries on my blog and all donors will be updated on my current study and work in Ifaty.

Ways you can help?
Sponsorship however small will be highly appreciated. Just £5 is already a big help!

I will be funding this trip by myself from my own savings and will desperately need as much donation as possible. You can make donation via the paypal button on the top right of my blog.

Alternatively, cash can be given straight to me to help save on the transaction cost.

If would like to help in any other way, it would be fantastic to receive any old second hand scuba diving gears below:
-Wetsuit (S)
-Fins (39)
-Mask
-Weight belt (no weight)

Spread the word!

Even if you cannot sponsor me please help spread the word via your facebook or twitter account. Any mean possible to help raise as much as possible.

The Ocean

The ocean is deep

The ocean is blue

The ocean is wide

The ocean is clear

The ocean is where

I want to be to swim

With the fishes in the

Deep wide blue sea.

Paint on my leg

A drop of paint of my legs turned into this. I love the feeling of paint on my skin. It's so different and fun to be painted on. You completely changed into a super duper colourful person and awesomely excited. It's great fun!

It's the fourth day of holiday. I'm enjoying it!

I have time and energy to go swimming (yeshhh!) I read a book.

I clean my room.

I created a creative corner.

I cook.

I watch series.

I have Art on my table.

I drink from my fishy cup.

I painted my leg.

I drink tea.

I sleep in.

I draw.

I listen to music.

I'm not doing h/w.

I'm not doing assignment.

I'm not at school.

I'm not waking up early.

I'm not thinking about anything.

hahah ooooh THE JOY OF HOLIDAY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Totally blob-ing

Yuppi I know this is what I've been saying ever since I STARTED blogging again, but seriously isn't fishes fun to draw? (and easier to amuse yourself?) Right! I'm that weird girl with "fishy" problem and here is ANOTHER fishy drawing.... (sorry sorry xDD Bare with me!)

No post because of busy busy school and I've been running down on a fever the past 4 days *terrible* I'm getting better and thought I should share something for the week here.

Going to Cambodia next week!

...........

P/s: is there such thing as Blob-ing? Eunice thinks it reminds her of me hahha... Oh I have to go to school now xD

Yesterday...

I'm so... random!

This is a post sum up for yesterday.

MLinh and I went out to get some stuff and spend some time "not in the house". It was great. I bought a cute top, 1 black and 1 white tee (we'll see what I did with the white one later) I also bought a book at PNC up in Saigon Centre. Apparently they re-opened after a while disappearing from the building. That's before we went to saigon square where I bought those tops and then went to Ben Thanh's market to buy a blue Coraline-looking wig for ML. I found those fishy pocket at BT and was so surprised haha. Anyway, on the way back to Sushi express (our plan) I ran into Emu and her cousin-Kim looking for some artwork. Gotta say I've got some good eyes because just as my unconscious brain plan to step one foot ahead, I realised that was Megan.

So we stopped, she introduced me and ML to her cousin and we have some big hugs and some weird talk after a while :D MOF again after that with the two... It was wonderful to see Emu and Kim. They are enjoying the fishy lives at NT now... urrghh (meaning I wanna go xD) ML and I went to Xuan Thu and I FOUND AN ALL BLANK PAGES NOTEBOOK!!! Not that quality paper like a moleskin book but I can make notes and it was sooo freaking cool that we've found it while I was looking for a teNeues calender book. Like everyyear, I kept a calender notebook to keep track of what I've to do, important events and stuff. Not a detail schedule book...

Drawing in the book

About the shirt... I wore it and it was so boring and I feel fat wearing it XDDD hahaha so I grab some paint to draw something on but failed. Grab the nearest brush and what I get was some interesting looking patterns... Paint blobs everywhere. It kinda is a vintage look shirt isn't it? Me likey!

PS: Tell me if you know where to buy fabric dye? I don't plan on this but I can make a shirt like this for you 60,000 vnd or less if you're giving me your own shirt. It will look a little different of course.

Be with the fish

I have something great to tell you today!

I WENT SWIMMING!!!

Finally, I kicked myself hard enough to go swimming. 2 hours-60 laps!!! haha I'm so happy that I exhausted myself today. Yup I beat myself YAY (hopefully a good sleep tonight)

Oh I forgot I'm back to Saigon yesterday, and planning on going somewhere next week which I should've planned out first before MY HOLIDAY COME! I'm so stupid xDDD Anyway if I can I'll be in Laos on a tour but if not I'll be around in the South of Vietnam... May be Mekong river? Anyway wanna come with me? Tell me if you wanna "getaway" from Saigon and your parent! xD jk jk

I haven't been drawing mucho and not happy about that. BUT I have an idea for my new project just haven't figure my "one-in a life time" character. So here is another Sally and this is from the Sally's project-a markbook (well all the i'm sure I love doing!) xD I swear I'll do 60 laps of swimming everyday this week or more if I have time :D

GOODNIGHT MATE!

Tips for the next swim:

1. Pick someone in the pool and race with them. (someone who is better than you) You will get so much faster! That's what I always do :D
2. I know people have been telling me how easy freestyle is but I just can't do it. But other than that I can do breast stroke better than many people xD so in conclude I am very proud of them and sad of other things I can't do... xD
3. Set a goal like 20 laps per day. Don't stop until you've reach your goal because like running if you stop you will never get back on as fast as you could (not true not true xD)
4. Oh and one more, try this close your eyes and imagine you are swimming with fishes or just anything you like :D work like a charm! No more tiring or boring endless laps :D

PS: I've received a little message from my old math teacher, Mr Wong and it really helps me to stay positive these days... Seirously where did I go?

"You r one student I can truly say that you are really really enjoying being in AIS. You are always positive and happy and I am so pleased to see you smiling and always have something positive to say. Well done to one of my favourite students."

WWF Passport

(Some weird looking turtle I doodled :D)

There is so much I want to do but as little as I am, there is not much to be done. I want to help to get the right for children, to go to school, to have a bright future ahead, as the wild animals to be able to survive in the hard environment we are making them live in, to save the earth's "cancer". Join me with passport if you are interested in helping our planets and wild animals protection. I joined this for one year now and I think it is quite trustful what I do here. I can't donate money but by signing petition, I am contributing a small effort to help save these wonderful creatures! Looking forward to join the Youth Volunteer Programme ... :-)

http://www.passport.panda.org/

Am I being sel-fish?

Hi,

I am being selfish! When I have an idea or a work, I want it to be original and really hate it when people tell me that my idea is good and then they use it... I mean it's not a bad thing, it's wonderful! If they use different materials and explore that idea in a different way. I want my ideas, my work to be mine and that's just a bit selfish isn't it? (And I want it to be the best as well hahaha I am totally SEL-FISH!!!)

May be that's because I got influence by fish too much :P

TL

Looking for inspiration...

Hi,

As you know, I've been trying to come up with a character for my next project (can't tell you now. It'll be a surprise!) I'm quite upset that my inspiration is blocked. I haven't found a perfect character... and I will keep trying.

The moon festival is coming up at our school in a few weeks, and this year, I hope it will be much bigger and spectacular. I'm involved in doing the background for the performance and also the costumes designer with Eunice and Eunice drags me in being the co-director as well. haha imagine that... Anyway, we are so serious about this, which surprise me. I hope the costumes will be good. This is really the first time I took on the job, others is just haha blablabla comments...

There is so much to do, like my assessment, which I should be doing now. A science test (good luck to me!), which I should be revising. Math, which I should be practicing and working on it. A lantern to design and other stuff I should be working on. Hmm, I've managed to burn my English's - Vampire's handbook- it looks old, which was what I tried to do and burnt (a little too much) It looks funny to me :)

Here is another Sally out of my little tiny teeny time this afternoon and the fish society. You may have heard but I really do wish to be a fish!

"Sally and Vietnam" Tu Linh '09

" Just the fish" Tu Linh '09

There are many reasons to why I love drawing fish so much. Firstly, I just LOVE fish. Secondly, I love the water :D (Secret: I want to be a fish to be in the water all day) Drawing fishes just really free my mind because they are free and swimming, and they are so beautiful! There is nothing to worry about when you are a fish (except of course watch out for bigger fish) but there is really nothing bother you and the water would refresh your mind anyway down there :)

I LOVE FISH!

Sunday morning with tea and a sweets...

Nothing like a sunday morning with tea and a little sweet isn't it? It really get my head off a few stuff, though being stared at where I sit for tea was a bit awkward but whatever people! :)

I've been waiting for some inspiration and little teeny time to put up a post. It was an exhausted week, a lot has happened. Too much school works and I found myself getting excuse for not doing it (don't worry, I will, like one day before it is due XD) Since when did i start becoming so lazy?

"Lost", Eunice Yin '09

AM I LOST?

I was stressed through the week as my trust for math and science are completely gone. I was so scared and in-fact, I've thought I might faint during the lesson because my heart beat so fast and I couldn't catch a breath. You may think I'm a little over reacted. May be I am. I don't know who to talk to. I just don't feel like talking and don't feel like there is any solution to it. One thing after another, I kept to myself and once when it is just too much, one tiny teeny thing, I'll go for a big angry cry, and I had. I don't feel better or worst than that now. If only I had really been better studying for Math and Science? or if only school is something more exciting-for me?

I'm sorry for the depressing post. I'll try to make it much brighter now.

"Sailing free" Eunice Yin '09

One of my favourite piece and there is a new version of Sally I doodled and with Eunice doing the rest. The thing about fish is that it is such a wonderful creature, for it enjoy of life, free at it is and get to see the amazing of the underwater world!

Toodles

TL

Late night thinking of pollution

"Pollution and death"

Black pen

It's getting weirder-how I do my art. Inspiration start coming late at night. Any answer to this?

I'm tired and exhausted. My brain is not even okay to read some numbers, but this is probably the best time for my work.

Pollution is not just from all those big things, the smallest thing like plastic buttons, bottle caps can cause a huge problem. Biofuels doesn't help at all to save the world. Why not instead of fuel, we give the Third-world countries food to eat? Everyone knows smoking is bad. Does one care about the health of others around them? Trash and waste from our lives eventually go to the sea. Imagine yourself as a fish, how would you feel?

The story I'm trying to tell through this work is somehow what we do everyday, that might be no harm to us, but could be the cause of our deaths and others one day?

I don't know why, but I am probably a huge fan of Going Green now :). It's great!

Tu Linh