“Many Hands Make Little Work.”   – Buddhist saying

Cristi is honored to partner with The Blue Star of Hope Foundation, founded by whom she calls, “two hippies at heart,” Juelle and Dono. Though founded right here in Colorado, their unbelievable humanitarian efforts reach out world wide.   Cristi joined their “Power of One” teen mentor program and traveled with them, along with 40 teenagers, to Thailand as a teen mentor and volunteer artist to lead an inspirational mural project.  They traveled to Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Ban Krut.  The trip was part play and part work.  After an enlightening New Year’s Eve celebration in Chiang Mai, giving aums to the monks at sunrise, and receiving a New Year’s blessing at the infamous Doi Suthep Temple, they got to work.

The Power of One Project focuses on oneness, conservation, and global community.  One of the volunteer projects was to create a 120 ft. long mural on the outer walls of the Ban Hin Turn Elementary School, which depends heavily on volunteer English teachers – many from the U.S.  About 40 teens and mentors created this mural, leaving a written message to the children in their Thai language.  The mural reads, “What Is Your Dream?”

“In all my travels, Thailand is the most peaceful and endearing place I have ever experienced.  It IS the land of smiles.  People pass you on the sidewalks with a sincere smile and a deep gaze into your eyes with this sense that they really DO acknowledge and appreciate each other’s presence.  It’s something that’s just not all that common here in America.  It’s a small gesture, but it’s significant.  To leave behind a mural of inspiration and oneness, a piece of art that was collaborated by so many helping hands, was truly meaningful to me and I can’t wait to do it again and again.”   - Cristi.

The mural was created with the help of about 40 other mentors and teens from Thailand and America.  The Power of One Program is now expanding to connect with other countries like Africa, but will continue to visit Thailand annually over Christmas and New Years.  To support The Power of One Program, visit www.BlueStarOfHope.org

And to learn more about where we stayed at the Elephant Nature Park refuge sanctuary that does SO MUCH to save the Thai elephant population, visit  www.ElephantNaturePark.org

The next Power of One trip – South Africa!  http://bluestarofhope.org/south-africa

“It’s my intention to travel again with The Power of One program to South Africa this year and leave behind another inspirational oneness mural for these kids that could really use a little color around them.”    

To learn more about Global Green and shifting to more sustainable living practices, visit www.GlobalGreen.org

To View the Full Photo Album of Power of One Trip to Thailand – Go See on Facebook.