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ONLINE ARTICLES
“Only International School Bangkok still Visits”
By Stephen Romary 03-Apr-11
Nong, sponsored by ATW, is a student at the R35 school (photo: ISB). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After the Tsunami, Fulfilling a Promise Made “At first everyone came, but only International School Bangkok (ISB) and After the Wave still visit and help us out.” In the months following the 2004 tsunami, the people of Khao Lak, Thailand, were international new; it was not long, however, before they were forgotten. The devastation of the tsunami was replaced with the latest breaking news: an earthquake, terrorism, the economic downturn. This is the story of a promise. In the wake of the wave, faculty at ISB realized there would be a need for long-term support; the promise was made to provide this support. (Their connection to this tragic event: two ISB students lost their lives that December morning.) The focus of attention became the R35 School, about 15 minutes north of the tourist beaches of Khao Lak. The hopes and dreams of its students had been flattened, along with the walls and ceilings of the school; many lost a mother or father; other families lost their source of income, as the tourism and fishing industries shut down. Though their school would be re-built, with the support of the international community and also His Majesty the King of Thailand through the King’s Foundation, re-building futures would be a challenge. To this end, the After the Wave Foundation (ATW) was created, and its goal was, and is, to fulfil the promise made. “We really wanted the kids to be able to continue their education. That is our entire focus,” explains Dave Anderson, co-founder of ATW. Whatever is needed, ATW provides: new books and writing supplies, dictionaries and rulers, backpacks and sport shoes. Then there is food, and for students not living at the school, fees for the school bus. For the large number of children who live at the R35 school (many orphaned by the tsunami) there are toothbrushes, soap, and pajamas. Some of them require dental care, visits to doctors, or eye glasses. Some are now in college or university, and ATW provides scholarships to help them stay there and graduate. “Essentially, we provide for them what any parent would want to provide for their child, but cannot,” explains Stephen Romary and ATW volunteer and organizer. In the beginning, there were three children in the ATW program. Today, the organization is supporting over 120 students, from four to 21 years old. Nong was one of the first students to be taken on by ATW. She was four at the time, and will be turning nine this coming June. Like many, she lives at the school; it is her home. She sleeps in a dormitory with 20 other children. When she wakes she has to make her bed, wash, and help set out the dishes for breakfast. She has three school uniforms, and has to wash them herself. She has a brother and sister also living at the school, also provided for by ATW. Nong requires annual surgery on her hand to correct a birth deformity, and each year she comes to Bangkok for surgery. The surgical expenses are provided for by the Thai health care system, and ATW helps out with additional expenses such as transport, an overnight nurse, food, and lodging. Though not all students supported by ATW require such extensive help, the expenses add up. ATW raises funds through a sponsorship program, and donations arrive from all over the world, as well as from Thailand. Fund-raising is often integrated with ISB’s community service programs. Kindergarten students, for example, painted pictures and made bracelets, raising over 24,000 baht (US$800) this year. Likewise, Grade 7 students collected pledges and went 24 hours without technology. They raised over 84,000 baht (US$2,800). At the end of February a Charity Tennis Tournament was held. As Dave Anderson explains, “There will be dynamic changes we have to make as time goes on.” Meeting the needs of the children requires a dedication and commitment. To date, however, ATW is fulfilling the promise made. For more information about After the Wave, see the blog/website: https://www.afterthewave.org.
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Comments
03/09/2012 - Stephen Romary
AFTER THE WAVE will be present at EARCOS 2012 in Bangkok next month. Stop by and check us out!
04/24/2011 - DEE
I agree... Great work!! It's hard to imagine what life could have been like for these kids if you guys weren't involved. That's what making an impact is all about!!
04/22/2011 - Kerry
Great work Steve and dave. U 2 hv done an amazing job and continue to be comitted when others hv moved on.
