Issue #9

Thanks to Your Generous Donations, 100 Acres of Rain Forest are Protected Forever

On September 27, 2000, GCR volunteers from Massachusetts traveled to Costa Rica to meet with Costa Rican volunteer Israel Mendez, our lawyer Andre Wells and local farmer Pablo Baquero. At 10:30 am we officially transferred Pablo's land title over to the Global Classroom, and with the stroke of that pen, the Global Classroom officially took ownership of a tropical gem. Thanks to the support of hundreds of donors we have successfully achieved our goal of purchasing nearly 100 acres of rain forest, home to many rare and beautiful creatures. Though it has taken many years to complete the process, this land is now registered with the Costa Rican government as an educational entity and biological reserve called Aula Global. In partnership with Aula Global the Global Classroom will preserve the rain forest for generations and offer educational programs to participants of all ages and nationalities.

As a special thanks to all our supporters, on October 8, 2000, we held a celebratory gathering at our home base at Earthlands Educational Center in Petersham, MA. The main lodge was overflowing with people who had come to sample Costa Rican cuisine, see our latest slide show on the rain forest and meet Costa Rican volunteers, Israel Mendez and Luis Saenz. Though the party was intended to honor our supporters, we were pleasantly surprised and honored ourselves by the many folks who gave thanks for our perseverance and dedication over the years.

The day eventually came to a close, and the last of our guests made their way through the fallen leaves on the path to their cars. I stayed behind, walking far out into the meadow to draw a deep breath of brisk autumn air. I suddenly found myself awash in dozens of memories that have accumulated over the years in my attempt to pull this off: miles of jungle hikes, tree top research, fundraising, hundreds of slide shows, endless phone calls and letters... A smile crept up on me. One of those smiles that begins in your belly and rises up against all attempts of concealment. The kind of smile that comes from out of the blue and makes people suspicious. My smile was one of deep joy as I recalled the voices and faces of the thousands of excited children we have reached out to with our free slide shows and rain forest artifacts. It has been a really long haul. I took another deep breath to absorb it all, then let out a loud, laughing "WE DID IT!!"

I raised my eyes skyward to a long wavering V of feathered determination headed south, honking into the approaching night. I stood there alone in the waist high swaying grass, watching golden tips surge under a slight breeze like waves in a lazy ocean. The sun was retreating to the western horizon, taking her welcomed fingers of warmth with her. Within minutes a chill set in.

I was about to retreat to the comfort of the wood stove when the brilliant rays of a firey sunset lit the forest. Straight and shimmering, like golden swords, the sun rays pierced through the ancient oaks of Earthlands and seemed to converge at my feet. At that moment I felt like I could step up onto a light beam and walk straight into heaven itself. Bathed in a soft glow of orange and red, I stood alone watching the sinking sphere melt into the horizon. The sun slipped away and my mind stirred once more. With over 3,000 acres of rain forest being clear cut every hour of every day, I could not stand there any longer. It was time to get back to work.

Costa Rican Volunteer Visits North America

After nearly 8 years of waiting, GCR volunteers Israel Mendez and Luis Saenz arrived in Massachusetts to take part in the first official board meeting of Aula Global. We gathered around the round table at Earthlands main lodge, with our note books illuminated by solar lamps. Our first official meeting was called to order. We began by announcing the active members of Aula Global. Colin Garland as president, Susan Cutting as treasurer and Luis Saenz as our secretary. With so many years in the waiting we knew it was going to be a long, exciting meeting. Many times we had to re-focus and regroup. With all of us carrying so many good ideas for so long, we had to spout them off. The excitement of this project finally taking wing had us brainstorming ideas faster than we could record them. Many tasks were discussed and then prioritized. We agreed signs must be made and placed along the borders proclaiming the land as a biological preserve. Included in the text would be the prohibition of hunting, the unauthorized collection of plants or the cutting of trees. The signs will also serve as a clear demarcation of the boundaries of Aula Global.

The next priority discussed was the fund raising efforts necessary to raise $15,000 to construct a research station by April 15, 2001. This remote classroom is to be located on the forest edge in existing pasture of the Aula Global property. We all agreed that no old growth forest will be disturbed and the secondary forest will be allowed to regenerate. Being run entirely by solar and wind power, using composting toilets and gray water systems, the classroom will be the perfect place to educate people on renewable energy and sustainable designs. To read about the value of tropical rain forest is one thing, to witness it yourself is quite another. Full immersion has always been our best marketing scheme to promote conservation. With dozens of schools wanting to participate in the Global Classroom project, this building makes good sense.

As the hours rolled by, we realized we could not cover all the issues in one sitting and decided to adjourn. With Israel and I having arrived from Costa Rica late in the night just hours before the party, we really needed to rest. After all, Israel had just flown in an airplane for his first time, taken his first ride in a car on a paved multi-lane freeway, and he had never been away from his children. It had been a big day for Israel.

Before he could slip away to sleep, I brought him out into the dark of night to introduce him to some of my old friends. I cupped my hands to my mouth and let out a long, deep bay like a wolf. He looked at me like I had just gone off the deep end. I saw him open his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word, a group of coyotes let loose with a full chorus of calls. A series of yips, wails and cries echoed through the silent night air, filling the forest with a melodious but haunting sound. It reverberated across the swift river valley and penetrated deep into the fog filled hollows. Israel was so excited to hear them that he nearly fell over the railing of the deck. Animated is the only way to describe Israel when he gets excited.

When I first met Israel I saw his passion right away. He has a deep drive to protect the rain forest. His passion is one reason we have never lost hope in the efforts of the Global Classroom. We could not succeed without him, and he could not leave the factory to become a steward of his beloved forests without us. A symbiotic relationship has evolved. We are so blessed to have him on board.

GCR Fund Drive Needs Your Help

We have begun a very special project here at the Global Classroom and we need your help. As stated above, our goal is to raise $15,000 by April 2001 to purchase materials needed to construct a research station for students on the Aula Global property. We are calling on everyone who reads our newsletter to please send a donation today to the Global Classroom research station fund. GCR volunteers will travel to Costa Rica in April with an enthusiastic group of student volunteers who are ready to begin the work. By making a contribution you are not only supporting the Aula Global project, but also directly supporting student service projects that have proven to be so valuable in young peoples lives. By participating in these types of programs, students gain valuable technical skills, become more self confidant, improve their Spanish and make new friends. The volunteers are ready to go, but we need your help to make it happen. Remember, we are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. This is the time of year to take full advantage of charitable tax laws, maximizing your deductions while supporting meaningful and effective grassroots projects.

A special note: If we recieve just one donation to match the Deans Beans challenge we will have raised 35% of our total goal. See "Matching Grant" below.

Who's Who at The Global Classroom

What started out as a small out reach project for area teens has become an international effort with a colorful cast of characters. We would like to share a story or two about the folks who make the Global Classroom possible.

Colin Garland: GCR founder, wilderness guide, animal tracker and naturalist
Colin started guiding wilderness adventure trips in 1984 as part of a volunteer youth outreach program he created in Massachusetts. By 1986 he had founded Raven Adventures, a wilderness adventure company offering rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering, animal tracking and several other wilderness adventure activities.

In 1989 he sold everything he owned, gave away the rest and traveled for nearly two years on an "around the world" adventure, visiting nearly 30 countries on a meager budget of $800. During this travel odyssey he lived with Australian aborigines, Tibetan monks, Iraqi farmers, Sikhs, Muslims and Buddhists, living fully immersed in many foreign cultures. Needless to say his experiences changed him profoundly and in ways that cannot be quantified or articulated. He returned to Massachusetts a stranger to himself, his family and friends.

After taking a few months to "re-enter" the United States, he co-created UNYTE (understanding nature and yourself through experience), a volunteer program based at a local high school in rural western Massachusetts. The program was the perfect vehicle for introducing high school students to the wonders of the New England wilderness. It also became a doorway for students to discover their own sense of self. The program became an instant success and has served over 800 participants to date.

Colin's tales of international travel spawned the idea of bringing 10 students to the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica in 1993. Each student began fund raising and working their way to the plane tickets they needed. Twenty two months later they achieved their goals and were on their way. With a collective spending budget of just over $300 total for the entire group, they would need to rough it for sure.

Boarding the plane in Connecticut at 6 am, they realized the down side of such "cheap seats" as they flew from Connecticut to New York, then on to Chicago, Houston, Mexico city and then Managua, finally arriving in San Jose, Costa Rica nearly 20 hours after they departed. To save additional money they rolled out their sleeping bags on the airport lawn and grabbed a few hours sleep before catching the 6am bus which took them to their rain forest destination.

With so many willing hands and so much enthusiasm, Colin assumed they could offer their services in exchange for a place to sleep and a little food. After hiking four miles up hill in a torrential rain they entered a well known reserve, and asked if they could be of some assistance. The staff greeted them with an enthusiastic YES and then proceeded to tell the group that it would cost them over $1200 for the week. We would work 6 hour days for a whole week, and for this we would pay the reserve $1200. Something seemed wrong with that picture. With long faces and rain soaked clothes the crew marched back to town as the day drew to an end. Then their luck changed. They met Luis Saenz.

Luis Saenz: Expedition leader, naturalist, computer programmer, soccer coach
Born in Costa Rica in 1942, Luis took to the forests at a very young age. It did not take long for him to discover that his passion for nature was deep and visceral. His thirst for adventure had no doubt been passed on through the genes. His father lived the life of a true adventurer. As a boy his father survived the devastating earth quake of 1910, loosing some of his brothers in the rubble. He became an orphan in 1911 and was placed in a reform school until he escaped and began the life of a wanderer. As a hobo and stowaway he found himself fighting in the Mexican revolution in the time of Pauncho Villa and was shot three times in one day before being captured. While facing a firing squad, at the last minute he was pardoned and released. He fled to the United states and became a merchant marine for nearly two decades, eventually returning to his homeland where he married and began a family.

Like his father, Luis has a thirst for adventure. He has led many expeditions deep into Costa Rica's toughest, uncharted terrain. He has been credited with the discovery of ancient archeological sites and other previously undocumented areas. More than one man has been sent back for failure to keep up with him on these expeditions. He is often forced to use out dated gear: packs are heavy, and food supplies short. Time is critical. The goal is to cover as much terrain as possible, documenting as much as you can before you turn back or suffer for your misjudgments.

When Colin and the students first met Luis that rainy day in 1993, he greeted them like old friends. Within minutes he handed them the keys to the smaller, less known, Santa Elena reserve, and Colin knew he had a friend for life. Owned by the local high school, the Santa Elena reserve consists of a few hundred acres of secondary and primary cloud forest located along the continental divide. In the first few hours of conversation he knew they understood each other fully. Our goals were identical, our passions deep. Colin recalls, "like me, Luis had found his calling. We knew that together, somehow, we would establish a living classroom, a classroom open to all ages and accessible to all.

Though Luis does not take our students on his epic expeditions, his enthusiasm is infectious and his knowledge vast. To join him on a jungle hike is akin to joining a walk in the Smithsonian Institute. He is a wealth of knowledge we intend to tap to the fullest. Even now, when we walk together in the forest, his eye is fixed to the ground in search of pottery shards, stone points and other signs of ancient peoples. Now that the Global Classroom is becoming a reality, we will all share many miles with Luis in search of new discoveries.

Charity Ritscher: Cyber space explorer
Charity first heard of the GCR in 1996 when she participated in a one day rock climbing program while attending Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts. She had expressed an interest in volunteering but the timing did not work out. Then, three years later, seemingly out of the blue, she appeared once more and offered her services. This time we were ready.

In the few short years between our first meeting and her coming on board, the concept of informational web sites had really taken off. When she called us the second time around we had no web site, nor the knowledge of how to create one. Charity agreed to teach herself the skills needed to bring us into the mysterious world of cyber space. She sat for hours in front of the computer, working for days at a time trying to make sense of all our literature and mountains of photos. Little by little she uploaded information and the web site metamorphosed into a useful tool and a wonderful collection of cyber art.

We always let our volunteers know we do not have specific expectations of them when they take on a task. We give them free reign to be creative and individualistic. Charity's great work has proven once again that if we are passionate about what we are doing we can accomplish great things. Our web site continues to grow and evolve as the project takes on many new forms. Huge thanks go out to Charity and her countless hours of dedication.

Israel Mendez: A one man show
A long line of students snaked their way through the dripping jungle in search of cookies. These cookies were not of the chocolate chip variety, but rather wooden ones cut from the trunk of a fallen tree. In exchange for our lodging at the Santa Elena reserve, we would carry these huge wooden discs a few kilometers and drop them along the muddy trail to be strategically placed as stepping platforms for hikers. Weighing in at 50 to 75 pounds each, lifting one of these discs was a good lesson in tree growth and density. Unlike our trees in the States, this tree had grown so slowly over it's 300 year life span that one could not even count the rings because they were so closely packed together. In turn we would hunch over and let someone load a disc onto our lower back, cup our hands around it and start the trek, shoes squishing and sinking into the mire. After a few hours of slogging I heard the jesting grumbles of a student who had likened herself to a mule as she bowed under the weight of her disc. At that moment a small man in rubber gum boots passed her by with an entire plank against his back. At 8 feet long, 4 inches thick and 14 inches wide, the plank could weigh no less than 250 pounds. He greeted her with a chirpy "Hola" and passed her by in his light footed walk through the forest. Dropping her disc at her feet I heard her murmur, "OK, I guess I'll stop complaining now."

To see Israel at work on those trails was an inspiration to me. Volunteering to do a job of pure hard labor in conditions that would send any American home (even if they were being well paid) there was Israel day after day, week after week. I followed him one day with an eighty pound bag of nails on my shoulders as we headed deep in to the forest. I consider myself to be fit and quick to take on the toughest of jobs, yet after two miles I was obviously sinking under the weight of that sack. Sure my clavicle would burst through the skin at any moment, I prematurely fantasized about arriving at our destination and hearing a thud as I dropped the sack to the ground. Meanwhile up ahead, just rounding the next bend was Israel with a sack on each shoulder, casually talking away as if we were on a weekend stroll. To say Israel is a hard worker is to put it mildly. His strength and stamina are impressive, but pales in comparison to his dedication and passion to protect the rain forest.

A playful father to three of the cutest daughters on the planet Israel has taken many risks to create a life that includes the rain forest. In 1990 he left his full time job in a cheese factory to help create a local reserve. Being paid close to nothing for 10 hour days of the most strenuous work you could imagine he had hopes of being included in the future success of the center. The money started pouring in to the project two years later and the center was a success, and Israel's dreams were in sight. Then, like a bad dream, the director fired all the workers, cleaned out the bank accounts and sold all the donated books, computers, solar panels and other resources. Israel was left with a family to feed, no work and no forest reserve to pour his heart and soul into. It was then we invited him on board our visionary project and he has remained faithful.

It was a day to remember when Israel joined me at the signing of the land for Aula Global. He has stayed with us through all the ups and downs, reminding us of the importance of protecting the rain forest and encouraging us to not give up. He has never faltered in his dedication and desire to help us create this center. With the recent donation of a computer and modem, Israel gives us weekly reports on the tasks he has completed to date; making signs, walking the land in search of squatters, searching for building materials and more. Eight years he has been waiting for the day he could lift another plank, carry another sack of nails and proudly show off his country's wild, mysterious rain forest. Come April, with your help, we will create a Global Classroom.

Sonia Burke: Mother, grandmother, gypsy
" How do I know you won't just take my money and run?"

That was my first introduction to Sonia Burke. Her voice on the telephone sounded confident and strong, yet her not so subtle question was such a contradiction. Being an avid sea kayaker, she was interested in joining us on a paddling trip to Mexico. Little did she know that along with her money, she would also part with her house in the city, her job and her fear of leaping.

It was during a hike high in the mountains of Baja Mexico that she made a huge leap of faith. A boulder strewn canyon set the stage. It was no surprise to me that she would paddle in any weather, day or night, what was a surprise was that she did not trust herself to leap across a three foot wide gap between two huge boulders. The fact that you could see twenty feet to the rocks below did not help. But all the same, it was only three feet.
When ever I lead that hike to the ancient cave paintings found high up in the mountains I always point to the trail, the path of least resistance. Then I proceed to climb, scramble and leap my away up steep, seemingly impossible terrain. Whenever someone suggests they would like to follow I smile inside, knowing they are about to leave the world of self doubt behind. The wonderful thing about rock climbing is the fact that it requires self control, confidence and a deep inner trust or you will not get very far. Some of the best routes ever climbed have been less than ten feet high. Steep, sheer faces with no obvious placements for feet and fingers. It is here that one learns to use the body in ways that demand the mind be silent. To acknowledge any shadow of doubt or fear will shake you off your tiny holds the size of match heads.

A series of steep, pastel colored boulders afforded her a chance to test her mettle. Each required leap succumbing one after another to her expanding confidence. It was clear she was hooked! More, more.. she wanted more. I led her to higher and steeper challenges, and together we bouldered, leapt and tiptoed our way to the mysterious paintings. Above us a red tail hawk cried, circling among flaming red walls drenched in the glow of a setting sun. The glistening of a tear in Sonia's eye confirmed her true journey had just begun. Sonia had leapt across the darkest canyon of all. Self doubt.

That was many trips and many miles ago. Since that time, Sonia has not only supported us, she has fully embraced the Global Classroom. Up rooting from her home of over thirty years, she has moved into our community and into our hearts. She can always be counted on to embrace the role of secretary, seamstress, carpenter, caretaker, marketing guru and full time gypsy. That is a huge leap from the suspicious, city living crossing guard that called us on the phone that day.

Susan Cutting: Russian speaking environmentalist, mountain climber and legal document wrangler
Susan entered the rain forest for the first time 2 years ago, when she and Colin went to investigate a possible tract of land for the Global Classroom. This newly found mystery and the richness of the forest struck a chord deep within her, and from that moment on- from her first night walk in the lush forests of Santa Elena reserve--the Global Classroom and its mission became an important part of her. As busy as she is, juggling many projects, she always does what she can to be there for the GCR, and is always thinking about how to move things forward. How many times did we hear her say, "Let's get a computer to Israel soon!" Susan likes to make things happen. Her years of experience in non-profit work and her inner voice of reason fit solidly with the GCR mission, creating a strong foundation, a foundation which we look forward to building and expanding upon in our future. In her two years as a volunteer Susan has taken on the bureaucratic process of establishing the GCR as a non-profit organization and has become the treasurer of the GCR. Last but not least, Susan has a 14 year history of working directly with hundreds of environmental groups, youth programs and exchange efforts in Russia and other countries of Northern Eurasia. We welcome her leadership for GCR's expansion into another continent!

The Magic of the Matching Grant

Every year in September I set up a booth full of rain forest artifacts and information at a local county fair. It is always a hit among children between the ages of 5 and fifty. My favorite part of the experience has got to be the moment when the kids see the small sign nestled in with the artifacts that reads "please touch." They proceed to ponder the porpoise skull, fondle the fossils and touch the turtle shell. Of course as soon as their little hands actually make contact with something the parents are screeching, "Don't touch." or "Put that down." Then.... my favorite moment.

Child: "No Dad, look!! It says please touch."

Parent: Clearing of throat, bumbling of words followed by a defeated "Oh, ah, um... OK, but BE CAREFUL!!"

Tossing a rescue rope to the parent I am quick to give a smile and say, "We are all so used to a world where you are not supposed to touch anything. By not touching we deny ourselves many important ways in which we gather and store information." Of course we are sharing the philosophy of the GCR, but saying it also allows the parent to save face in front of their child; who by now, is gloating in her victory and touching everything at break neck speed.

Whether in our booth, on our trips, or in our classes, we encourage participants to explore with all their senses, not just their eyes. Most of us know what a rain forest looks like, we have all seen pictures. But ask someone who has been in one for any length of time and they will really tell you what it is. When you are in the rain forest you don't just see it, you experience it.

During one of our full sensory learning sessions at the booth my friend Cassady came by to say hello. She introduced me to her boss, a man named Dean. Many times she had suggested that I come by her work at Dean's Beans, based in Salem Massachusetts. Dean's Beans is an independent, organic coffee roaster using sound ecological practices. The unique principles of the company sounded interesting but I never did find time to visit. At the moment I was inundated with excited children so I shook his hand and returned my focus to the youngsters and their endless inquiries. Dean and Cassady quietly slipped into the crowd and disappeared.

There are times when it is indisputable to me that there is a higher power that is out there pulling for us. Two months after the county fair I was in an airport frantically trying to figure out how my bank so effectively bungled up a critical wire transfer. That money was intended to arrive in Costa Rica a day before me allowing me to meet with Pablo Barquero to purchase the Aula Global property. Not only did the transfer not go through, but by the time I was boarding, my plane was delayed, emptied of all passengers, and then finally canceled. It looked like this was going to be a really bad day. At least with my flight canceled, I would have time to get on the phone to the banks in Miami and Costa Rica to locate my money.

I re-booked myself on another flight and went to the gate. While standing in line a man came up to me and shook my hand. It was Dean of Deans Beans. He was on his way to Honduras to visit one of many organic coffee co-ops he helped create. Not only was he on the same plane, he was seated right next to me. We talked non-stop for hours about the lack of social responsibility, chemical pesticide use, corporate greed and many other social ills. We shared stories of our world travels, of living among the poorest of the poor and yet feeling so rich inside. As each of us talked the other nodded with absolute understanding. We knew each other deeply, though we had just met. To listen to someone's story is to be entertained, to be reliving our own experiences through another persons story is to truely connect. Our connection ran deep. It took only a few minutes of sharing my story of the GCR project for Dean to offer up a $2600 matching grant for the project. I knew right away he meant it. His next statement was a familiar one to me, "we are not rich by any means, but what you are doing is so important."
A few times we hinted to each other that some sleep would be wise before we land, but every time there was a minute of silence one of us would start up again. We were too excited about the possibilities to stop talking. We spent the last hour of our flight brainstorming how we could assist each other in our respective projects. We both knew this would be a lasting alliance. I gave thanks to the powers that be that my plane was canceled.

In our next issue we will share more of the what, wheres and whys of Dean's Beans. If you are a coffee drinker and concerned about hazardous chemicals and unfair trade practices and would like to support community owned growers of organic coffee ask for Deans Beans Coffee at your favorite coffee shop.