Somewhere within the quiet Muslim community of Koh Yao Noi, a towering blonde figure stands out from the crowd. If you're fresh off the boat , he appears as just another tourist passing through town. Wait a moment or two, and you'll see locals greeting him with smiles, and he exchanges Thai greetings with the fluidity of the waves that lap this tranquil island's shores.

He's known among locals as Ajarn Tim. The Thai word ajarn means "teacher", but Tim Markin's more than just a teacher. He serves as director of Koh Yao Noi Childern's Centre. Don't let the terribly literal name deceive you. The centre serves as the island's easel of creativity.

"Nothing was in place when I arrived -- not even a building," he says while painting a large wooden crate that housed the centre's shipment of computers. "It took time for me to develop relationships in order to understand the locals. After some relationships formed, the work became easier as I knew who could do what and others understood what it was we were trying to do."

Markin's career in community development began as an English teacher nearly four years ago working with the Peace Corps on the farmlands of Ratchaburi. Feeling as if his relationship with Thailand hadn't come to fruition, Markin sought employment with a Swiss foundation wishing to start a children's centre on an island in Phang Nga Bay -- at that point Markin had never heard of Koh Yao. Since then, Markin has been working hard to establish the centre as a place of learning and development for the island's young Muslim inhabitants.

Finished painting, Markin strums an acoustic guitar donated by one of the resident expats and claims, "I definitely wouldn't have this job without the Peace Corps." Aside from the formal training he received, he dedicated much of his time learning Thai language through music and mingling with local teachers, children and parents alike. Many insights into Thai culture were realized in those crucial years -- without which Markin may not have found the success that blankets him today.

Four years as an educator in Thailand have taught Markin the power of sanook, a general sense of amusement, and the importance it plays in the creation of active learners here. As we talk, we take up a game of table tennis.

"While here, kids are learning English, and they don't even know it. They just think they are playing games and having fun," he says. After losing a game, he adds, "We teach by means of providing activities like guitar and computer lessons, by playing sports and through watching movies from time-to-time."

Besides the day-to-day activities, Markin and his staff have come up with projects to further develop life skills but with a focus on keeping things local. Markin walks me out back to point out the new plants.

"We are currently starting a Thai herb garden behind the centre," he says. "We'll teach the kids the names of the herbs in English and Thai. We'll also teach the kids how these herbs can be used to treat a variety of wounds and ailments."

Recognizing the popularity of tourism on the island, the centre recently collaborated with Koh Yao's school to conduct an 18-week tour guide training project.

"We had the kids practice how to talk about their home in English," he says. "We took them to many of the special places in and around Koh Yao. The kids then made a brochure about various tourist destinations on the Island."

Another focus of the children's centre is conservation.

"We started collecting bottles and cans at the centre that we will sell to be recycled in Phuket," he says. "We are working with local government officials and groups to try to help Koh Yao develop in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way."

And it doesn't stop there.

"We've painted cloth bags to sell to tourists for shopping instead of the plastic you see everywhere," he adds. "On the first Sunday of each month, more than 50 kids from around the island join together to try and preserve Koh Yao's beauty by doing beach clean-ups."

And yet the centre's crowning achievement may still only be in progress. Markin, his staff and his students, have been documenting the story of the nagas, a serpent believed to have helped carve the now-famous limestone cliffs that rise up from the warm waters of the bay below.

"Only the older people here are familiar with the story, and we want to record it before it's lost," he says. "We translated the story into English, and the kids made paintings to illustrate the story. We are currently looking for help to have the story published so that we can hand it out to local schools. We would also like it to serve as a language-learning tool for those trying to learn either English or Thai."

At the centre, Markin has the support of a woman whose help he couldn't do without. Island resident Joy Wichakoon has been working with Markin for the majority of the time the centre has been open, and Markin was quick to share the accolades: "She brings good ideas and helps me to understand the lives of the kids here on Koh Yao."

Markin went on to stress that Joy's involvement in the centre is critical.

"English is our main focus but there are many things about life, health and the environment that the kids first need to understand in Thai, and Joy is able to do that," he says. "My Thai proficiency isn't high enough to introduce many of these important issues."

Together the two make a team whose contribution to the lives of Koh Yao's youth is undeniable. Whether preserving history or cleaning beaches, the children are learning to appreciate their island home. Whether singing songs or sitting in computer class, the children are learning skills that will stay with them for a lifetime.