Krabi Village Bounces Back From Disaster As Livelihood Projects Flourish

[Jai Dee]

Krabi village bounces back from disaster as livelihood projects flourish

A thriving livelihood centre run by 23 women, new fishing boats and equipment back at sea, 15 canoe boats busy giving tourists a ride and improving curry paste production are some of the initiatives that are slowly but surely driving the village of Baan Tatonglang in Krabi province back to full recovery.

As high season for tourism starts, the fishermen who formed a canoe group catering to tourists are optimistic that their earnings could increase and augment their income on fishing. Their wives, who often assist them in the work, have also engaged in their own livelihood project.

Suwajee Seekongkaew, a World Vision staff member assigned to the area, has nothing but praise for the 250-family community. She said people are "very cooperative" so it was easy to effectively implement the projects. "The women's group engaged in scarf-making is by far the most proactive, hardworking and determined to succeed," she says.

Working jointly with the Krabi Provincial Authority and Prince of Songkhla University, World Vision helped equip the community with livelihood and marketing training as they identified initiatives that could help them get back on their feet.

The village absorbed its toughest blow when its fishermen lost everything to the tsunami. Ratchadaporn Budlee, 43 and a mother of two, said losing everything they have made them think and devise ways to recoup what they lost. "We are glad World Vision was at hand. We went and talked to the staff for support and were not disappointed."

Aside from the livelihood projects, World Vision has rebuilt the village day care centre and provided study materials and facilities to ensure that children are back in school. It also sponsored children's camps to help children.

Source: Reuters - 23 November 2006