TwoHelp.org Updates

Day 6

Posted by Alexis on June 11, 2005 at 9:29 am |

So, it’s Day 6 and I think I’m beginning to get the lay of the land here, maybe, sort of. Today was gorgeous. It was the first day without a cloud in the sky and my plastic poncho finally got a chance to dry out. Clay and I did some work in the “office” at the Volunteer Center this morning. I am undertaking a survey of local businesses; on the surface to provide a map and directory of services for volunteers, and more peripherally, to assess if any that have re-opened are having financial troubles or any other difficulties. It is a very basic and somewhat haphazard needs assessment, mostly because if serious needs are identified, it is unclear what assistance the Tsunami Volunteer Center will be able to provide.

I spent yesterday helping out at the Tsunami Craft Center. A volunteer from the UK started this store in March, providing people in temporary housing camps with an outlet to sell their handicrafts. As many people here relied on the tourism and fishing industries to support themselves and their families, several NGOs have stepped in to teach people in these camps new handicraft skills, to provide alternative sources of income for them. The store is currently supported with funds from donors and 100% of the proceeds go back to people in the camps. The handiwork is truly astounding, ranging from batiks and clothing to jewelry, woven belts, baskets, and model boats. I was particularly moved by the scenes depicted on the batiks – people running in fear from monstrous waves, floating bodies and debris, people yelling for help from the water. I spent some time talking to a man named Chai Yut who is now making batiks. He used to work at a resort on the beach that was completely destroyed by the tsunami, but hopes to work there again someday soon. He is working hard to improve his English so that he can increase his chances of being hired once the tourism industry picks up.

Walking around I can see how much more work there is to be done here and how hopes for a recovery in time for the start of this high-season (November) are extremely optimistic. Much of the coastal land is littered with large and small debris, whole areas are still entirely washed away. I walked by a resort right on the water that was busily rebuilding beautiful beach-front bungalows, but can’t help think that if the debris-littered land next to it is not also cleaned up quickly, it will be hard to attract vacationers. Rumor has it though (and there are many swirling around in this place where volunteers idly chat and Thai-English communication is rarely entirely clear) that many Swedish people are queuing up, waiting for hotels to re-open to come and show their support for this area where so many of them vacationed before and some lost their lives. Perhaps for a while this area can rely on the idea of the “virtuous vacation” – Khao Lak can become a place where people want to come to vacation, maybe do some clean-up work, and show their support for the Thai people. I certainly hope so.

For now,
alexis