What do Aquaponics, Rice Hullers, Solar Power, Schools & Thailand Have in Common?
Rotarian George Punyaprateep, That's what! George is a dedicated philanthropist whose drive never ceases to amaze us. His projects in Thailand, while centred on education, have a double function....to feed the students. His latest project involves aquaponics, basically a marriage of aquaculture and hyrdoponics to assist the development of students and offer a new farming alternative to the villages throughout northern Thailand. Follow the link to learn a little more about his amazing projects.
George is now living his dream in Thailand, volunteering as a teacher, championing new programs, maintaining established ones and always looking for new ways to help the students develop skills beyond levels imagined by even their families. George has now moved to Thailand and joined the Rotary Club in his District there, but it is a huge loss to the Whitby Sunrise Club. Good Luck to you George!
George's achievements over recent years include the construction of a school gym, a clinic, a school, clean water and sanitation projects, lunch programs covering two schools, solar panel installations, rice huller program, the aquaponics project and is now helping a young lady with a clubbed foot. 
School Mushroom Farm - Wow!
Rice Huller and building project (above)
This Aquaponics Project, while still in its infancy as far as harvesting the crops but it sure looks promising. It may be the perfect model to take to neighboring countries too like Laos and Vietnam. In a nutshell, the fish are grown in the lower tanks and the excrement is used to provide essential nutrients to the plants through the slow pumping of water - no need for soil.
Total Cost for this project was $5200 sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Whitby Sunrise and Taipei Chung Chu. With 2500 Tilapia fish, it is estimated to yield 7000 lbs of fish and 3500 lbs lof leafy vegetables annually. This school was recently recognized as the Best Regional School due to its state of the art programs for public school students.
Another amazing project of George's is to give one little girl a chance at leading a normal life. She was born with a clubbed foot. George has been taking this little girl every week to a hospital 3 hours away, early in the morning and look at the results. Before and After pics are shown below.
George, we wish you the best of luck with all of your future projects and will be following your progress.