Looking For Temporary Relief Work In Phuket

[saisai]

I am going to be in Phuket during Chinese New Year and am looking to help in any way possible. If anybody has any links or advice for me, let me know here or email me at [email protected]. Any advice that anybody has for me would be appreciated. THANK YOU!

[Patong Bob]

How can you help ? The main problem in Phuket at the moment is the lack of tourists.

Bring some friends, spend some money. Book into a hotel, visit restaurants and bars. Have a suit or two made.

Don't bother sending money, it will never get here (none has so far).

Tell other friends to come for a holiday.

[tedkarma]

Don't bother sending money, it will never get here  (none has so far). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not true.

Depends on who and how you do it.

I coordinated donations from a church in the US - where in excess of US$1100 was given and then MATCHED (doubled!) by my wife's employer's (Laguna Resorts) tsunami relief fund.

This was done two times. The first, the money was gathered on a Sunday - deposited in a bank account - ATM'ed out - and in the hands of people who needed it by Thursday. The second time - by Wednesday.

___________

Other than that issue - I agree with PB - come here - enjoy the island (the beaches are even more beautiful than ever) - spend a little cash and keep people employed.

___________

AND, if you have a real desire to help - go to this website:

http://www.avcphuket.com/tsunami

Local people with local solutions. This project is in my neighborhood. And I can tell you - I SEE them working.

Consider adopting a family for a year or two (Geez, only US$20 a month!) - I have. The problem won't be finished when the TV crews leave. This project is oriented towards long term solutions. AND, if you have a strong back - they can put you to work that way too.

PM me - if you are serious - I'll give you a ride there.

[tedkarma]

One small edit regarding cash donations.

My guess is that hundreds, if not thousands of people are doing similar small donations that are going to work quickly.

PB is right - I too have grown quite skeptical of the "international" agencies that show up days, if not weeks after the fact - fly in, stay in five-star resorts (on your nickle of course), and fly back out. Where will they be six months or a year from now? Some other five star resort?

However, if you sniff around a bit - you will see lots of little ways the local folks are helping out. You can too - if you really want to.

One of the best ways I saw - was people in Khao Lak - just giving cold water bottles to people sweating and doing the hard work - and giving them cold wet towels to wipe themselves off and refresh themselves with.

You help doesn't have to be dramatic - or exciting - just such simple efforts lift spirits and keep everyone going.

[tedkarma]

Another great way to help out. Check out this link:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=0entry260025

Again, if you are serious - I'll drive you up there.

Sorry for the multiple edits - but I found a better link:

http://www.tsunamivolunteer.net/action.php