The Thai Tsunami Longtail Fund one year anniversary report. January 2006.
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One year on, in what has been a remarkable year of rebuilding lives, hopes and dreams. When my friends and I decided to help after that fateful day in 2004, we had not anticipated the warm compassionate response we would receive from all walks of life, both Thai as well as foreign. To those of you who have donated to this cause, ours and the fishermen's heartfelt thanks.
I personally have concentrated on the positive aspects of the disaster, helping those who survived in the form of fishermen rather then dwelling on those who tragically did not survive.
The positive spirit I am continually surrounded by makes it inspiring to be helping these people, their determination to resume fishing is awe inspiring.
I have not seen any signs of self-pity, or depression here, on the contrary, the spirit to rebuild their lives drives them relentlessly. |
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The fund has built 38 boats including engines, and repaired 6, it has also donated some £10,000 in equipment. What has continued to astonish me is that despite us donating these boats to individual fishermen, there is a selfless attitude allowing these boats to be shared out amongst entire communities, so in reality the fund has probably helped 3 times the number of people.
We have also learned many lessons. Originally we were only donating boats and engines, only to discover that without additional equipment such as netting, these boats were being left stranded on the beach. We also managed to save money by transporting the fishermen to where the boats were being built and letting them sail them back to their home ports, this also demonstrated the fishermen's eagerness to get back to what they know and love as they often slept next to the boats, helping the boat builders complete them. It was lovely to see such a spirit of community break out between different religious and tribal groups. |
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There have been difficult times as well, turning away requests for help, which equally deserving were simply beyond the scope of the funds objectives. We consoled ourselves during these difficult moments by believing that helping to rebuild communities rather then individuals was mush more effective, and far reaching. |
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The humble gratitude of the fishermen is a powerful incentive to continue helping them.
They are so grateful that people remember their plight still. I often feel that they derive a huge benefit from just seeing us turn up to meet them and hear their stories, and know that the world has not forgotten them or their pain.
Some of the fishermen we have helped hear of my whereabouts by an amazingly effective village rumour mill, and despite me trying in vain to discourage them, seek me out, brining me what is to them a fortune in caught fish to say thank you, often travelling many hundreds of kilometres three or four up on a small moped. |
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I had naively believed that after one year the need for the fund would start to diminish, but if anything as word of our activities has spread we have been inundated with more requests for help.
The main reason I attribute to this is a series of broken promises of official help from the local government. Many of the boats we recently donated have been to people who were told they would receive a government boat almost one year ago.
It is clear that the Thai government has decided to shift its emphasis of aid onto more tourist related projects. Although I partly understand why they are doing this, it is sad and frustrating to witness, especially when you hear of charities returning donations back to donors unable to find outlets for them. |
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The world has also moved on, other disasters and tragedies have struck, and it is all to easy to forget that these people still require help, for me though despite the fund now having run out of money, this is a personal mission, I simply cannot turn my back on these people, when their need is still so prevalent.
Eduardo Loigorri
Phuket, Thailand. January 2006. |
