As a self claimed professional journalist, I would expect you to have done a little more research before making the claims that you do.  I would also expect for a journalist to report all of the information presented to them, instead of portraying a biased view, which you have not done. 

“This girl has no media background”

If you had taken the time to look at my resume which is so conveniently included on the Indiegogo site, you would see that I got my undergraduate degree in Communication with an emphasis in video production.  You would also see that I have volunteered at local TV stations and worked with a well known documentary filmmaker who has been in the business for over 35 years.  If you took the time to look at the gallery section, you would also see my reel, showing that I have worked on projects before.  You would also see that my senior thesis project was shown in festivals.

“I'll make a video on the homeless in her home town San Jose”

Again, if you had looked at my reel, or my youtube channel (both which are on the site), you would see that I have made a video about homelessness in San Jose!  I was able to build a friendship with a local homeless man, tell his story, and am proud to report that he is now clean and sober, and no longer living on the streets.

In response to getting a free camera:

Nope, sorry, wrong again.  Bought that myself with my own money.  I bought it actually before making another documentary in Thailand about a children’s home.  Bought the batteries, too.  Also bought the other video camera that I have.  In fact, I worked very hard before coming in order to save money so that I would be able to have an income.  In case you’re curious, I’m not currently getting a salary from this, despite the fact that most foundations suggest filmmakers do include a salary for themselves in their budget.  I am also only using the money for basics, so things like my motorcycle and my coffee are all paid for by me.

“Here is her 'mission statement'.”

You only included a small portion of a longer list.  And you also left out this part right below it, which goes against this statement “Would the Thai's be happy with what she produces. I think not.”

Process

COMMUNITY involvement and building new relationships

It is important to have trusting relationships when filming documentaries of a personal nature.  Because of this, I will use my preexisting relationship with the community to build a strong foundation for the film.  Through these individuals, I hope to make new connections as well.

It is also important to us to allow the subjects to become stakeholders in this film.  We do not want to impose our views and beliefs onto their story, and therefore will work with them to understand what they want the film to be about.

Furthermore, the community members have the greatest amount of knowledge about their needs and desires in terms of how they would like to improve their community.  They will be key in helping in all aspects of the building of the recycling center.

To further disprove this statement, you can take a look at one of my more recent blog posts:

http://khonkaenurbanlife.tumblr.com/post/28303984197/only-the-freighting-things-are-worth-doing

“300 baht a day is not a bad wage for someone with little education. There are plenty of trash depots in the city who buy paper and glass and I've met some of the collectors who make up to 500 baht a day. The guys who work on the city refuse trucks at night can be seen going through the rubbish as they collect it because they make a secondary income from it.”

My host father, who has been the inspiration and drive for me in this project, would make an average of 100 to 200 baht a day.  Now, that wouldn’t be a bad salary for a single person, but he is in his 60s and has been supporting his grandchildren for many years.  In fact, he has a baby living with him currently, with little support at the moment from his child.  And while you’ve met people who can make 500 baht a day, that I don’t think is the usual case.  As you said, some people even use it as a second income, making it increasingly more difficult to support a family when it is a primary income.  People are recycling themselves, making the items that scavengers DO find less available.  And, to try and support children in their educational pursuits on such a salary is difficult.  May I also point out that much of the time, the middle man in this process takes away MUCH more money that those who find the materials.  One study found that these centers can make 100,000 a month. 

“No one forces the garbage collectors to do the job.”

Highly disagree with this one.  I believe society forces them into this job by their inability to help those who haven’t been born into the same opportunity.  Ever heard of the circle of poverty?  The fact that I realize and understand my opportunity is the reason that I do the work that I do.

Have you ever been to the landfill outside of the city?  Have you ever seen the houses that are located literally feet next to giant heap of trash?  Have you seen the people who wake up at 5 am to go find recycling in the landfill?  A friend once went and scavenged with one of those people, and watched as they ate a half rotten orange that was found in the pile.  Let me tell you, if that’s not a problem then I don’t know what is.

I am working with these people because they have shown me kindness and they have touched me.  My life has, for whatever reason, been intertwined with theirs and it is something I will not ignore.  4 years ago, I made a short film about this very issue (as was suggested by the community) and after my host father saw it, his words were “It needs to be longer.”  And so that was my goal.

4 years ago, I sat with a group of villagers who homes were being threatened by a dam project.  One of them said that the thing they wish American students could do to help was to tell their story.  I can’t change their lives, or fight their fights.  But I can tell their stories.  Again, so that is my goal.

If you do not agree with the project or what I am doing, that is your prerogative.  However, please make sure you do your research and understand what I am doing before jumping to conclusions such as “I dislike the way Western pseudo journalists are quick try and show the worst.”