I S S N 1 6 8 5 - 6 6 3 5

A medium for dissemination of information and experience on children development

2004 Workshop2004 Workshop

The workshop was held in Bangkok,Thailand during 13-19 June 2004, under

the theme “Agriculture and Nutrition forChildren Development”. The workshopcontinued the efforts of the previous ones to

provide more information on managingschool agriculture and nutrition programmes.

O n this occasion, 23 delegatesfrom the Ministry of Education, Myanmar andH.E. U Myo Myint, Ambassador of the

Union of Myanmar were escorted byH.E. Mr. Keokhwan Vajarodaya, LordChamberlain to an audience with Her Royal

Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhornat Chaipattana Building, ChitraladaVilla, Dusit Palace. ●

Another step of the cooperation in supporting our children to become healthyand to be able to develop as productive members of the society

1

Vol. 2 No. 2, July 2004

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:111

Focus on Children Development ..........................

Q & A .....................................................................

Hello Neighbours ...................................................

Newsroom ..............................................................

C o n t e n t s

2-4

4-6

7

8

E d i t o r i a l

Mingalaba Sawasdee

Welcome to the July issue of the newsletter. As usual,

we have plenty to share with our readers. To start with,

let’s Focus on Children Development by exploring our

three articles on nutrition, agriculture and science

teaching and learning. Let us take you on a school

farm tour in Hello Neighbours! In Q&A,

enjoy the crossword and questions and answers

from our readers and catch up with news in Newsroom.

We are thankful for the kind cooperation from

our readers. As you can see, the newsletter grows

bigger every time we meet, it’s due mainly to

continuous support from our readers. So please

keep sending us your updates and

responses! Until next time, take care.

CCurrently many developing countries are facing with under-nutrition problems i.e. protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrientdeficiencies such as vitamin A, iodine and iron. Poor diets, improper childcare practices and ill health often cause these problems.

When the nutritional problems occur early in life, they are the most significant risk factors for poor physical and mentaldevelopment of children. For example, children with low birth weight (less than 2,500 gram) will likely to have poor health, limitedphysical growth (stunting) and impaired mental development (low IQ and possible permanent brain damage).

Moreover, recent researches indicate that when the low birth weight newborns become adults, they will have more chances indeveloping chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension, heart diseases, type II diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Thus, it is most urgent for all of us to help improve nutrition among mothers and children in developing countries.

Prof. Dr. Khun Sakorn DhanamittaInstitute of Nutrition, Mahidol University

2

Focus on Children Development

Common Nutritional Problems

in Developing Countries

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:112

3

N

The article derives from questions from our reader,Daw Tin Tin Ohn, B.E.H.S. (22), Mandalay.

How to Prepare Soil in the Planting Pot

Not every school has enough space for gardening.

So various kinds of pots can be used for planting

vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, medicine herbs

and small fruit trees. Size of planting pot should be fitted

with the size and kind of plants to be grown. Moreover,

the soils in the pot must be well prepared into porous

crumbs riched in humus and nutrients. To drain off

surplus water, each pot should have a hole, diameter of

1 or 2 inches at the bottom of the pot if you can raise

it up or at the side of the pot if it is too big.

To prepare the soil for planting in the pot, it is

recommended to mix well the soil with compost or

well-rotten manure and small dry-plant residue of any

kinds. The proportion by volume of the soil to compost

and to plant residue is 2:1:1.

After planting, apply chemical fertiliser grade 15-15-15 or similar grade

for about 1 - 2 teaspoons for 5 litres of soil, then covered the soil with rice

straw or dry leaves and water gently and throughly to dissolve the fertiliser.

You can use the soil in the pots for at least 3 years and no need to

change the soil after every crop harvesting. However, you may need to mix

the soil throughly and add more compost and fertilisers before each time of

planting.

Dr. Pisoot Vijarnsorn

Department of Land Development

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:113

Inquiry Cycle in Learning Science

Engagement

Inquiry

CycleExploration

ExplanationElaboration

Evaluation

IInquiry is a natural and effective method of learning science. It usually begins with engagement of students in a science problem,triggered by some questions or observations.

The next step is exploration, in which the students try to find solutions to the problem through research. The third level of inquiryis explanation, in which the students explain their research results.

A higher skill of inquiry involves elaboration, thinking or visualising beyond observation and explanation. The highest inquiry skillis evaluation, in which the students can assess, criticize, compare and make recommendations. High-level inquiry may engage thestudents in a more difficult and challenging problem, and another inquiry cycle begins.

Through inquiry cycles, science grows, and so does technology.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khunying Sumonta PromboonSrinakarinwirot University

♣ Do young vegetables have less nutrients?

(U Than Tun, B.E.M.S., Ywathagyi Village, Sagaing) ♣

IIt depends on types of vegetables and vitamins. Most of mature green leafy vegetables contain more nutrients

(e.g. beta-carotene) than the young ones while some of young fruits and vegetables contain more vitamin C than

the ripe ones. However, after cooking, very small amount of vitamin C is detected. More starch is found in young

fruits but more sugar is found in the mature ones.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prapaisri Sirichakwal

Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University

Q u e s t i o n s f r o m r e a d e r sQ u e s t i o n s f r o m r e a d e r s

4

Q & A

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:124

♣ How should we prepare vegetables for cooking when they havebeen treated with pesticides? Are they very harmful to us? ♣

(Daw Khiang Cho Aung, B.E.H.S., 5, Pyay)

TThe way to remove pesticides in vegetables is to wash them before cooking. There are many methods such as: soaking

vegetables in 0.5% vinegar for 15 minutes (remove 60 - 84% of pesticide residues) or soaking in a solution of 1 tablespoon

of sodium bicarbonate and 20 litre of water for 15 minutes (remove 90 - 95%) or rinsing in running tap water for 2 minutes

(remove 54 - 63%). Blanching also decreases the pesticides contents by 50%. The best way to avoid pesticide contami-

nation are: eat a variety of vegetables; use local vegetables and plant your own vegetables. The pesticides are harmful to

human. It can cause acute or chronic defect such as cancer.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prapaisri Sirichakwal

Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University

5

♣ What should vegetarian eat to be fit and strong?What is a balanced diet for vegetarian? ♣

(Daw Tin Than Oo, B.E.M.S. 22, Bago)

TThere are three main types of vegetarian: strict vegetarian (eat only veg-

etables), lacto vegetarian (vegetables and milk) and ovo-lacto vegetarian (veg-

etables, eggs and milk). Strict vegetarian is prone to iron and vitamin B12

deficiencies. Ovo-lacto vegetarian is recommended. A balanced diet for vegetarian

depends on the total caloric needs. For example, children (6-12 year), female adults and the

elderly who need 1,600 kcal per day should take 4 cups of rice or starchy foods, 6 tablespoons of soybean

and products, 3 cups of cooked vegetables, 4 serving of fruits, 5 teaspoons of vegetable oil and 1-2 glasses of milk. Teenagers

need more caloric intake than young children and therefore have to consume more rice and starchy foods and legumes.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prapaisri Sirichakwal

Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University

Q u e s t i o n s f r o m r e a d e r sQ u e s t i o n s f r o m r e a d e r s

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:125

This issue’s questionThis issue’s question

Send your questions and answers to

Before 15 October 2004

Newsletter TeamOffice of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Projects

Chitralada Villa, Dusit Palace, Bangkok 10303, Thailand

Down:

1. .......... is an organic matter applied to soil to improve

its quality.

6. A science project begins with a well-defined ........

which comes from students’ curiosity.

7. Rice, cereal, starchy foods and sugar give us ........

Across:

1. .......... is a nutrient essential for bone growth.

2. .......... is one of citrus fruits rich in vitamin C.

3. School with limited area can grow plants in a ..........

4. Gardening beds should be elevated above ground

surface at least ........ inches.

5. Students can play “if .......” to form their hypothesis.

Last issue’s answerSandy soils are loose and structureless whereas

clayey soils are massive and often compacted. Toimprove the physical condition of those soils, variouskinds of organic fertiliser can be used. Since plant

residue and animal dung are organic fertiliser, so youcan apply both kinds of them, single or combination,and mixed well to the soils. Liming can be used only

when the soil are very acidic (having soil pH of lessthan 4.5).

Dr. Pisoot VijarnsornDepartment of Land Development

U Than Tun

B.E.M.S, Ywathagyi Village, Sagaing

Daw Tin Tin Ohn

B.E.H.S. (22), Mandalay

Daw Tin Than Oo

B.E.M.S. (2), Bago

Congratulations toCongratulations to

Daw Khiang Cho Aung

B.E.H.S. (5), Pyay

Daw Wai Wai Tint

B.E.H.S. (5), Pyay

U Kyi Win Mg

B.E.P.S. (3), Bahan

C

r

o

s

s

w

o

r

d

6

3 5

7

1

r o s s w o r d

2

4

6

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:126

7

S c h o o l F a r m

(Kyaung Seik Pyo Mwei Myu Ye Chan)

‡°…µ√„π‚√߇√’¬π (ka set nai rong rian)

H e l l o N e i g h b o u r sH e l l o N e i g h b o u r s

1. (U.Sar Kje Chan) Layer House ‚√߇√◊Õπ‡≈’Ȭ߉°à‰¢à (rong ruen liang kai khai)

2. (Kje Hlaung Ein) Battery Cages °√ßµ—∫ (krong taab)

3. (Kje U.) Egg 䢈䡈 (khai kai)

4. (U.Sar Kje Man) Layer 䡈䢈 (kai khai)

5. (Ye Kan Nge) Pond ∫àÕπÈ” (bor naam)

6. (Nga) Fish ª≈“ (pla)

7. (Pain U.) Taro ‡º◊Õ° (puek)

8. (Nga Pyaw Thee) Banana °≈⫬ (kluay)

9. (Kha Yan Chin Thee) Tomato ¡–‡¢◊Õ‡∑» (ma khuer thed)

10. (Thin Baw Thee) Papaya ¡–≈–°Õ (ma la kor)

11. (Sa Lad Ywack) Lettuce º—°°“¥ÀÕ¡ (pak kad hom)

12. (Pauck Pya) Hoe ®Õ∫ (job)

13. (Gaw Pya) Spade æ≈—Ë« (plua)

14. (Htun Chit) Rake §√“¥ (kraad)

S c h o o l F a r m

(Kyaung Seik Pyo Mwei Myu Ye Chan)

‡°…µ√„π‚√߇√’¬π (ka set nai rong rian)

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:127

Published byOffice of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s ProjectsChitralada Villa, Dusit Palace, Bangkok 10303, ThailandTel: (66 2) 282 6511 (66 2) 281 3921Fax: (66 2) 281 3923

Printed byAmarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited

65/16 Chaiyaphruk Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, ThailandTel: (66 2) 422 9000

www.amarin.co.th

N e w s r o o m❦ On 18 June 2004 Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri

Sirindhorn presented 300 food carriers and 46 packs of seedsto Daw Khin Toe, group leader of 2004 Workshop. The seedswere to be distributed to 46 schools which participated inthe Princess’s Workshops since 2002 for using in their schoolgardening and the food carriers to students for their lunch.

❦ The Throne Hall of Suan Kularp Villa, Dusit Palace, Bangkok was filled withsmiles and joy during the farewell party of the Workshop. The party started withthe conferring of Certificate of Attendance to the delegation by H.E. Mr. KeokhwanVajarodaya, Lord Chamberlain followed by messages of congratulationfrom distinguished guests: Mr. Piamsak Milintachinda, Director General of theDepartment of Technical and Economic Cooperation; and H.E. U MyoMyint, Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar. The evening was highlighted

by Myanmar beautiful dances and songsperformed by the Myanmar delegation intheir national costume. The friendshipdance at the end of the party marked theend of the evening but the beginning ofthe new friendship. Thank you to all of ourguests for a wonderful evening.

❦ Finally, Daw Aye Aye Shwe with her colleagues and her students can start a layer raisingproject in her school, No. 38 B.E.P.S., Hlaing Tha Yar Township, Yangon with the jointsupport of Myanmar C.P. Livestock Co.Ltd., Ministry of Education of Myanmar, Royal ThaiEmbassy,Yangon and Office of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’sProjects. We are all looking forward to seeing their success.

❦ Back to Bangkok again for U Tin Maung Tun, Headmaster of No.2 B.E.H.S.,Dagon, for attending “ICT Based Lessons and Materials DevelopmentWorkshop” which organized at St. John University, during 19-23 July2004.

❦ Staff at the Office of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha ChakriSirindhorn’s Projects would like to extend a sincere thank to Myanmardelegations for their lovely souvenirs from Myanmar.

N e w s r o o m

8

H.R.H LETTER BURMA OK 17/9/04, 14:128