I disagree totally! But then again we are all entitled to our opinions.
I think my inclination is to go with Mike Hands who is a world acknowleged expert, his expertise is gained from getting his hands dirty and doing it for the last 20 years.
It boils down to the more money they have to teach, the more barren area will be recultivated. This has a knock on effect in free seedlings. Think of it this way, they plant and develop one area that is square, in five years all four sides of the plot are planted and productive, in another five years 6 more are planted and productive and on and on. Do this in a thousand spots and you have 12000 planted areas, add to this those who see it works and are just doing it off of their own backs and you have a revolution.
I am sorry that your intensive 3 months did not give the world changining effect you hoped for. Frankly the cost of the air fare could have paid 10 locals for a year to clear and replant an area at probably three times the productivity (they know how to sharpen a parang quickly). Consequently your one plot would have become 3 cleared, in a year that is 12, multiply by 10 thats a 120. All for the cost of the air fare. So in the end your effort was an indulgence, had a high carbon foot print as well. Someone donating £50 from here will do more in practical terms than you ever could swinging a woodlore knife!
Welcome to the real world kid, its brutal, messy and never works the way we want! :swordfigh
Have a nice day
Sandsnakes