NEWSLETTERS:

Click the links below to download
newsletters in PDF format:

Download: NEWSLETTER ONE (1.52MB)
                         (January 20, 2005)

Download: NEWSLETTER TWO (844KB)
                         (February 20, 2005)

Download: NEWSLETTER THREE (7MB)
                         (May 20, 2005)

Download: The Norwegian
                      Tsunami Relief Fund Presentation                                (2.16MB)

Download: NEWSLETTER FOUR (389KB)
                         (December 15, 2005)

Thank you for your consideration for these beautiful children.

NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader to view this file. If you don't have it installed on your computer, click the icon to the left to download it.

Direct Aid to the Children
The Tsunami left over 950 Thai children near Takuapa and Khao Lak with no homes, with lives shattered and most family members gone.

Like most of you, we have been trying to find how best to use our resources to help those hurt of the Tsunami.

There are many fine institutions helping, including Unicef, Red Cross and World Vision. I know first hand that Unicef is working in the Takuapa area to help families in need of homes. So, I want to first make clear that we feel that gifts to any of these organizations is good and the funds will be used well. But for some of us, we wanted to place our funds right into the hands of those that are in desperate need.

We have been going up to the Takuapa tent city during the past two weeks bringing up supplies for the over 2500 people living there in tents. Local Government officials run the camp. The Thai government has set up medical centers and supply centers within the camp. The officials have been advising us on where funds are most needed.

Right now housing, clothing, and immediate food supplies are being taken care by the Thai government and other relief organizations as well as hundreds of individuals donating food, time and money.

But the officials wanted to know if we were willing to help the children long term. If we would be willing to give them the most important gift to assure them of a chance to grow out of this tragedy into productive and happy adults. We were asked if we could provide funding for the education of these children.

We said, “Yes, we will help educate the 950 homeless children”. We agreed that the target would be 500 baht (around US $12.) per month for each child until they graduate.

The decision was made early last week to work together with the local district office in setting up an educational relief fund for the children. The funds would go directly to each child, who will open a bank account with the local official as trustee.

The local government offices in Takuapa (known in Thai as the OrBorTor) will cooperate with us on this fund and its implementation. They first agreed to have all the children register for the Fund by providing their ID cards, Home card and signed school card from their school principal.

And there were over 500 children in line, waiting…

On Saturday we were to meet the officials to receive the list of children. Midday on Saturday we received a call that over 300 children were gathered waiting to meet us with their documents. After some quick phone calls we learned that the kids and their relatives thought that the first month’s school funds would be paid that day, not just collecting the children’s documents. So, several of us jumped into our cars and starting driving north to Takuapa (about 2 hours). We were called every 20 or thirty minutes to see how close we were and reminded of how many children were waiting. I stopped by the local ATM and started drawing out funds.

When we got to the Tent City outside Takuapa, there appeared to be over a thousand people gathered near the main offices, including family members, friends of the children, etc. We quickly stuffed 300 envelopes and stood at the front of the line with the local government officials. One by one each children offered their documents to the official who checked them carefully and then stamped them, “approved” and put them in our file box.

One by one these little children walked up, with torn clothes, smudged faces and big bright eyes, undimmed by the devastation, yearning for a happy future. Every so often the official would say, “This one has no parents.” Or “This one lost their father and all their brothers and sisters.”

They were so sweet. So bewildered by the commotion and focus of attention on them, but also excited that this even was all about people caring and helping them.

We had enough money for 350 children. But it soon was obvious that there were many more. We halted the procession… made a quick dash into Takuapa to find another ATM - withdrew up to the maximum per day allotment and returned in hopes of having enough.

The procession continued. An elderly woman signaled the official if she could receive an envelope for the little child she was holding. A little baby in her arms looked up and smiled. The entire family of the baby was gone. The kind lady was a neighbor, who found the baby alone, crying. She brought the baby so that her friend’s child could have a chance in life, to have an education.

With our Foundation, this little baby is now assured of a full education. (We are also working with the local officials in locating families to adopt some of the children who lost their parents and family members.)

Our Foundation
Our Foundation, The Tsunami Relief Fund for the Children of Takuapa, is being formed in Phuket Province according to Thai law by one of the local law firms. The initial group of Trustees includes several members of the local business community as well as foreign nationals living in Phuket.

A local Accounting firm and Law Offices are drafting the formation documents and will be maintaining all records for the Foundation. A list of the initial Trustees, the initial Articles for the Foundation, which state the purpose of the Foundation and the methods of fund raising and use of funds, are being drafted and will be provided in Information Memo Two.

The Relief Fund Trust has been established specifically for the care and well-being of approximately 950 children who lost their homes, as well as family members. These children are now among approximately 2,500 homeless Thai villagers from north of Phuket in the Takuapa area. They are currently living in a “tent city” on the government grounds of the OrBorTor Offices of Takuapa , Thailand.

This Trust Fund will be used exclusively in conjunction with the OrBorTor Offices of Takuapa. The OrBorTor offices will establish the list of children that qualify for this relief program, including their names, families, village, photo and ID. The Fund will be specifically used for the following and in the following priority:

1. To provide proper schooling for the children.
2. To provide additional opportunities for recreation  and personal advancement.
3. To provide long-term assistance to all the children  through the graduation from school.

The funds are governed by a Trust Agreement which authorizes the Trustees to release funds directly to the OrBorTor of Takuapa, or as directed by the OrBotTor, for specific relief efforts which meet the conditions of the above priority list. These funds will he held in Siam Commercial Bank, Phuket Branch. Officers from both the managing Law Office and professional Accounting firm will be required to sign checks.

The Trust will provide a small Thai administrative staff to oversee the distribution of the funds. The OrBorTor will provide short-term and long-term project proposals to the Trust. Once accepted by the Trustees, the OrBorTor will be notified of acceptance and of the timing of the distribution of funds. The OrBorTor will provide a report on the use of the funds in the form of a receipt, listing all the uses.

A portion of the Trust will go into a long term annuity. This annuity will not be sold until the last child in the program is over 18 years old. At that time, the remaining funds are to be distributed to the district offices of the Takuapa OrBorTor for use in remodeling or building schools and purchasing school equipment. During the life of the Annuity, the monthly proceeds will be provided to the children on a prorate basis with the assistance of the Takuapa OrBorTor Offices to be used according to the Trust priority list. The goal of the Trust will be to provide at least 500 baht per month to each child in the program.

The Tsunami Relief Fund for the Children of Takuapa has applied for recognition as a Charitable Organization under the laws of Thailand. This is being done by a respected local law firm, Suporn, Surat and Associates, located in Phuket. Upon completion of the application process, notices will go to all donors so that they can take advantage of applicable tax deduction or credits. The Fund is being established by a group of local business and professional people in Phuket. Initially, there will be 12 persons on the Board of Trustees. These include a local law firm, accounting firm, as well as government officials in their respective capacities.

A small local staff has been brought together, but none of the funds raised will go toward staff or administration expenses. The staff and administration expenses will be covered by local organizers and specific donors who would like to help with this. Unless earmarked by the donor for this, 100% of all donations will be given directly to the children.

Request for Funds

ALL DONATION PROCEDURES, METHODS, DIStRIBUTION AND ACCOUNTING OF OF FUNDS ETC. IS EXPLAINED IN MEMO TWO IN THE SECTION CALLED “THE RELIEF FUND.”.

FOLLOWING IS THE ONLY BANK INFORMATION TO WIRE/TRANSFER FUNDS:

Bank Account and Fund Details
The TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND ACCOUNT WIRING INSTRUCTIONS:

Siam Commercail Bank Public Limited
Phuket Boat Lagoon Sub-Branch
Thepkasattri Road., Koh Keaw, Phuket Thailand

SWIFT CODE: SICOTHBK
Account number : 886-204004-0

Purpose: Donation to Tsunami Children’s Relief Fund

Provide your information: Upon wiring or depositing funds to this accountplease provide an email or written letter confirming the amount, who it is from,from which bank and bank address. This way we can track your contribution and provide you with a receipt.

Please check back here for updated information, and in the meantime, please contact us by email with specific questions.
info@tsunamirelieffundthai.org

THANK YOU

If you'd like to help spread the word about the Fund, please download a PDF copy of our Relief Poster below to print out and post on your local public bulletin boards, or send to your friends.