Gaia Ashram

xidai

Gaia Ashram

Located in Ban That, Udon Thani, Thailand

Mission Statement
We have a dream and belief that human beings will learn to live in harmony with nature, learn to see that all beings are part of one big family, sharing the same home and that all beings have their roles to play in maintaining and sustaining the web of life. Therefore, all beings deserve respect. Gaia Ashram aims to be a place where we live holistically, practice and realize the interconnectedness and the oneness of all living and non-living beings.

Community Description
Gaia Ashram is a community-based education center on Permaculture, Deep Ecology and Ecovillage Design Education and other sustainable living practices. Gaia Ashram is the base for Gaia School Asia and one of the operational centers of NextGEN Oceania & Asia, and we provide trainings/workshops/courses for children, international and Asian youth.

Gaia Ashram also provides long-term volunteer and internship opportunities for Asian and international youth. Gaia Ashram is an eco project physically based on two hectare of land located in the northeast of Thailand near Nong Khai and the Laos border of Vientaine. Gaia Ashram is currently being developed using Ecovillage, Deep Ecology or Spiritual Ecology and Permaculture design principles. For more info, go to Gaia Ashram Design.

Gaia Ashram is a place where we allow young teachers of Permaculture, Deep Ecology or Ecovillage Design Education a chance to facilitate and organize courses, and we also provide Training of Trainers, where we teach about facilitation skills and how to teach in a participatory way.

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 3 hectares
Current Residence Types: Natural built structues
Current Number of Residences: 6
Planned number of residences: 8
Planned Residence Types: Natural built structues
Housing Provided: Included in Membership
Land owned by: Individual community member(s)

Membership
Adult Members: 6
Child Members: 1
Non-member Residents: 16
Percent Women: 51-60%
Percent Men: 41-49%
Percent Transgender: 0%
Visitors accepted: No
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
We would ask people first to volunteer or to join our internship programs.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Regular Fee per Month: $150
Shared Income: Partial share of income
Required Labor Contribution per Week: 25
Open to members with existing debt: Yes (some debt)

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
Current renewable energy generation: 0%, or close to 0%
Planned renewable energy generation: 100%
Current food produced: Between 26-49%
Planned food produced: Almost All, around 90%
Food produced locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Outdoor Kitchen, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Fire pit, Recreational vehicles, Internet
Internet Available: Yes, individuals provide it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.
Shared meals: Approximately all meals
Dietary Practice: Vegetarian Only (no animal meat; dairy and eggs okay) – Please check this only if you are 100% Vegetarian, Mostly Vegan
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Yes – we all share a common diet.
Special Diets OK: Sometimes
Alcohol Use: No, this community does not permit alcohol use.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
Education Style(s): Up to each family or individual
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/gaia-ashram/
              http://www.gaiaschoolasia.com