Visiting UMEX scholars in Phuket in September 2006 2006年9月 プーケットの夢っくす奨学生訪問
We, six UMEX members, visited Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand from August
29 to September 3. This trip was planned as a part of UMEX activities in
relation to the project of Tsunami 2004. At that time, UMEX collected about
1,200,000 yen in donations for the victims of Tsunami 2004 in cooperation
with international students at IUJ, in Niigata, who were from the affected
countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. All the members
concerned with the project of Tsunami 2004 decided to leave how to use
the donations to the students because the situations were different in
each country. Only one condition was determined, that was, to use it for
children.
The students of the Thai group decided to use the donations as scholarships
for the children who lost their mothers or the fathers due to the tsunami
and have not yet received any support from other organizations. Through
their counterperson in Phuket, they obtained a list of the children and
selected 13 students.
On September 1, 2006, we visited the Satri School in Phuket and met three
students there. There are nine students in total in this school who lost
their mother or father in Tsunami 2004. The Tsunami Memorial Center was
opened in the school soon after the tsunami to let people know what happened
there. This center has a purpose of collecting donations for supporting
students as well.
The Satri School is one of the leading schools in Phuket and most students
are to go to college. Though the three students we met are excellent students,
it is not sure if they can continue receiving education after high school.
To lose their guardians gave children unexpected big changes in their life.
We really hope that they overcome their problems and find some way to make
their lives better.
We are delighted to learn that one student has started to learn the Japanese
language as a second language in class. She tried to speak the Japanese
with us. Our visiting may give her some encouragement to study the Japanese
language more. This is a tiny episode, but she would never have been interested
in the Japanese language if she had not received scholarship from Japanese
people. This episode made all of us happy. Our dream is that we will be
able to meet them again some day.
Last but not least, we wish to express our appreciation to Sunich-san and
Oranoot-san, who helped us to arrange the trip and to contact the students
in Phuket. Their hospitality made our trip both enjoyable and rewarding.
We do hope that, in the near future, we will be able to reciprocate their
kindness.
Following the devastated hit by Tsunami in Asian region, relieving fund was immediately raised by UMEX in cooperation with other local organizations. I, as a representative of Thai students at IUJ and on behalf of UMEX members, brought that fund back to Thailand and rushed to the affected areas in the Southern part in October 2005.
Initially, I would like to give this fund to primary school students in Baannumkem, Phang-nga, the worst affected area. However, I could not manage to reach my friend, the only person who can locate affected students in Baannumkem. In this, I needed to contact Office for Phuket Education, asking for the officers’ help to find orphan students in Phuket.
I maximized the usage of UMEX fund by granting it as scholarships. Scholarships were given to students who were living in poor condition, lost his/her parents in the event, and didn’t get access to private or governmental assistance. Any student who falls under this criterion would be considered to receive UMEX fund. However, due to limitation of money amount, only 6 students were selected.
With the effective system we employ, we need not to worry about misuse of the scholarships by those students because they are controlled strictly by their supervising teachers. Every time the students need to withdraw the fund in they own bank account, they must inform their supervising teachers for how they are going to use it. Most of the fund is normally used for tuition fee, books, stationary and the education related matters.
As far as I have talked to those students, I have come to realize that they desire long relationship rather than a one-time assistance. Given all the natural devastations taking place around the world, Tsunami victims will be soon forgotten along with all supports, which will evaporate quickly. This is what those students and I have severely concerned about. The only way to prevent this problem we are anticipating is to build up and tie relationship between supporters and those victims.
On behalf of those Thai students, I again would like to convey my great gratitude to all UMEX members, Japanese donators and all the relevant persons.
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@ 私は、チャルームリット・ペットローリアンです。小学校5年生2組の生徒です。最後の試験の日に、奨学金のいただき、心強く生きられるようになりました。お父さんが亡くなったけれども、頑張って勉強をします。頂いた奨学金は、勉強の用具を買ったりして、勉強に使います。タイの神様達(*)が、世界中の神様達や奨学金をくださった方々に幸福や健康をもたらしますように。 (*)プーケットや、エメラルド寺院の昔の高僧達
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A 私は、ラチャポーン・チャナチットです。プーケット女子校3年生です。今回の津波の影響で、私の父が12月26日に亡くなりました。私の父は、カオラックにあるホテルにいました。私の家はラチャダー海岸にあり、逃げてきました。私の家は津波でなくなったので、暫く東屋で暮らしていました。そして、今は、祖父、祖母、母の三人と暮らしています。奨学金のおかげで勉強を続けていくことが出来ます。ありがとうございます。卒業したら、何かお返しをしたいと思います。
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B 私は、ピヤネート・アルンナプリーです。プーケット女子校3年生です。今回の津波で、母を亡くしました。母の所得は月35,000バーツで、カオラックのヘーモラウ・リゾート・アンド・スパで、会計をやっていました。父は、ガイドをやっていました。昔は、月給30,000バーツだったですが、今は、お客さんがこないので、20,000バーツに給料が下がりました。父が水道光熱費や、母の
親族の世話をしなければなりません。奨学金をもらったので、もっともっと勉強をして、父を手伝いたいと思っています。最後に、ありがとうございます。これからも頑張って勉強することをお約束します。
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C 私は、カッタリヤー・ラマイです。プーケット女子校3年生です。私の父は、トゥクトゥクの運転手で、パトン・ビーチで仕事をしていたら、津波でホテルの地下に流されて亡くなりました。今は、母と暮らしています。母は、左の眼が見えません、また心臓肥大と高血圧で仕事ができません。今は姉がパトン・ビーチのお店を再建して、私たちを養ってくれていますが、お客が少なくて、収入が減っています。姉が家族のリーダーになっています。二人の兄は、それぞれ、ラームカムヘーン大学(通信制大学)とラチャパート・スワンドゥーシット大学(教員養成大学)の2年生です。頂いたお金は、全部勉強のために使いたいと思います。もし可能ならば、私の大学卒業まで奨学金がもらえたらうれしいです。本当にありがとうございます。
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D 私は、ウボンラット・シリラットと申します。ウィライワン・プラティーナタランの伯母でございます。姪は、タイラット・ウィッタヤー学校の幼稚園2年に在学しております。ウィライワンは、三番目の子供で、三人とも学校に通っておりますが、私が皆の面倒を見ております。現在は、私の息子たちが二人大学に通っており、私の収入ではまかない切れません。もし、可能であれば、あなた方ができ得る限り、あの子を支援してくださいますようにお願いいたします。
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E 僕は、カッチャー・ルーンサムットといいます。プーケット・タイフアの14歳の中学校三年生です。今回の津波で、あなた方と、UMEXから奨学金をもらいました。できれば、もっと高等教育の勉強をしたいと思っていますので、ご支援をお願いします。今回頂いたお金は大切に使って、頑張って大学の卒業まで勉強したいと思います。
PROGRESS REPORT
Submitted for Tsunami Uonuma Support Organization (TUSO)
(1) Recent condition in Aceh
In general, programs to rebuild Aceh are conducted in three sequences, namely emergency, rehabilitation, and reconstruction period. First three months after the tsunami was an emergency program, which was focused only for the short term need. During this period, there were pile of food stocks, clothing, and tend from national and international aid. The second and third term was rehabilitation and reconstruction to rebuild Aceh. At present, these two programs are more prevalent and have their own nature. Government of Indonesia has established Agency for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh to develop Aceh.
(2) Distribution mechanism of donation from TUSO to Aceh
TUSO donation obtained from charity concerts and other sources were distributed to the people in tsunami affected areas in Aceh through Children Center which was established by Muhammadiyah (second largest Moslem organization in Indonesia) and UNICEF. Children Center Muhammadiyah-UNICEF has various projects in Aceh, particularly in Meulaboh, the most affected areas. Children Center has been introducing their programs since emergency period, such as advocating, psychosocial, and non formal education.
Donation from TUSO is provided based on the proposal which was submitted by Children Center. I assumed that Children Center knew well already what children in Aceh needs for their future life. Donation from TUSO was 293,000 yen (around 25.6 million Rupiah; exchange rate = Rp87/Yen per July 15, 2005 when it was transferred to Indonesia without remittance fee).
Donation has been fully distributed to the children in terms of:
1. School uniforms and shoes for separated children (SC) and unaccompanied children (UAC). School uniform and shoe has been distributed to the children in West Aceh: 40 children in Kaway XVI, 47 children in Cot Seumeureung (Samatiga), and 32 children in Reusak (Samatiga). Total donation used for this activity was Rp15.2 million.
2. Three units of computer that cost Rp10.4 million, consist of two unit computer of Pentium IV and one unit of Pentium III. In the future, Children Center has a plan to use these computers for computer course that will be managed by SC and UC. It will be business unit for printing and typing to earn income. I approved this proposal since I think it will be very useful for children to have income generating activities. It is expected that after volunteering activities ended, they can survive by their own business. Furthermore, the Children Center has trained SC, UC and local people with the computer application (Microsoft Words, Excel) and internet. The United Nations has kindly provided internet line for them.
(3) Conclusion
TUSO support for tsunami relief has been highly appreciated by Children Center and local people in Meulaboh - Aceh. They expect that this good cooperation will continue in the future. I told them that TUSO has a plan to continue its activities in the future to collect donation from Japanese people and distribute it to the tsunami affected countries. It is expected that there will be a good relationship and understanding between Aceh people and Minamiuonuma-shi people. I also have discussion with Children Center the possibility to extent the knowledge-base activities, such as computer skill and language skill (including English and Japanese), with the assistance of TUSO.
Finally, this report has been made in order to fulfill the accountability and responsibility for TUSO. I also want to give sincere gratitude from children and volunteers in Aceh for Minamiuonuma-shi people. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to send me an email. I will gladly provide you any further information you might need. Thank you for your support.
Dear UMEX members:
As requested by you, I visited a remote village in Andhra Pradesh state
affected by Tsunami. This village is 3 kms away from Bay of Bengal and
was also badly affected.
I visited this place on July 29th and distributed the following materials:
1. School Uniform
2. School Bag
3. Water Bottle
4. Footwear
5. Pencil/Pen Box
6. Notebooks Crayons,
7. Drawing book for small children and atlas for little bigger children.
In all there were 200 students who benefited out of this program. I have
pictures taken and will send you them once I am bit settled with my life.
Oranoot-san, a coordinator of Thailand group, reported thier activities
at TUSO charity concert on April 23, 2005.
Natural disaster is something we cannot expect or forecast precisely when
it will occur. As with the humanitarian assistance that will surely come
even though we are not expecting; it comes overwhelmingly from people all
around the world to those suffering victims.
The first time I heard that UMEX was planning to arrange activities to
help people in four affected countries; the generosity of local people
in this area came to my surprise. They are the people who just suffered
from the big earthquake but they still think of other people suffering
in different corners of the world. All the staff in UMEX have been working
so hard to raise funds, tirelessly only to help their unlucky counterparts
in those countries.
Every activity that UMEX comes up with reflects their sincerity and aspiration in helping Tsunami victims. We organized two charity concerts and the results were extremely successful. Both IUJ students and distinguished guests contributed actively to the shows and loads of people attended the concerts. We raised a significant amount of funds which will be used for the purpose of relief aid.
UMEX is not a huge or powerful organization but it overwhelmingly succeeds
in arranging charity concerts because all the staff and IUJ students were
worked together as a single unit. Countless thanks from me go to dedicated
UMEX staff who sacrificed their free time to realize the concerts. Many
thanks are also given to IUJ students and honored guests who created those
marvelous performances. All the wholehearted support from everybody reminded
me that whenever we are in distress, there are always other people who
are willing to pull us out of it. For every time you cry, there is always
someone nearby to blot your tears.