Message From P' Nu Ring

The Spirit of Giving

For many cultures, November marks the beginning of a holiday season, a season of giving. Here, at the Tsunami Volunteer Center, "giving" takes on a slightly less traditional form - but one that I feel has much greater impact: We believe in giving through empowerment. By beginning the process with a spirit of partnership, we ensure we are contributing what is needed (vs. what we want). And by delivering our services and contributions hand-in-hand with the recipients, their ownership of the results leaves them with much more than a new home or English-language skills. They are now more well-prepared and empowered to take on future challenges, both as individuals and communities. For my money, this is the ultimate form of giving. I hope it is yours, too!

Best regards,

P' Nu Ring

NEWS AND PROJECTS

A New Look and Life to Our Website

You may have noticed a change to this month's version of Longtale. Don't worry we won't be doing this every month. The changes were because we have created a whole new look and feel for our website. Led by literary genius Susan Lietz, our very own I.T. expert Toby Patterson, and web design/photo guru William Bay, along with the incredibly valuable work provided by Carly Festa, we took the last month to put together an amazing site that each and everyone of our volunteers and donors could be proud of. Please take some time out of your day to look at the new www.tsunamivolunteer.net.

Citizenship Program

The Center's latest initiative is an extension of the highly effective undertaking by the group's umbrella organization, The Mirror Foundation. In Chiang Rai, where the program predominantly assists the Hill Tribe people, they have already secured rightful citizenships for more than 2,000 people. The program has now been introduced in Phang Nga as a result of the economic devastation to the spread-out immigrant communities.

Tsunami Doll Holiday Ornaments Now Available!

Sales for the Phang Nga Province women's hand-sewn Tsunami Dolls continue at a brisk pace. The cooperative has just launched a brand new line of limited edition keepsakes, just in time for the holidays. The set of ornaments (also hand-sewn) includes the "Heart of Hope," "Star of Spirit" and "Doll of Renewal" as well as a brief history of the Tsunami Doll Project. The ornaments are a wonderful testament to the spirit of the women who create them and all the survivors of the tsunami. Each set sells for 150 BT (3.75 USD). They"re selling fast, so place your order by e-mailing here.

Tsunami Craft Centre Takes Root and Looks Toward the Future

The Tsunami Craft Centre recently had its seven-month anniversary! More than 250 women and men in the coastal communities of Phangnga province produce handicrafts as a primary or supplemental source of income. To date, the Tsunami Craft Centre has sold more than 1.5 million baht ($37,500 US) of products, giving the maximum amount possible directly back to the producers. The Craft Centre now has a 12-month plan to expand the capabilities into a sustainable, community-led cooperative that can be a true resource for villagers. Proposed services include an overseas shipping service, a microcredit program for sourcing better quality and variety of materials, a website with an online store, and a training and education facility that could host design workshops, business training seminars, and workshops and demonstrations for visitors. For more information, contact craftshop@tsunamivolunteer.net.

Building Bridges through Play

TVCs first Playground Project proved to be much more than a new place for children to play; it helped unite a community. After the tsunami, some Tap Tawaan survivors moved into Bang Klog village, in appreciation of its higher terrain. The playground, built in just three weeks, quickly became a central, fun-filled meeting point for all villagers. After converting a small field into basketball, volleyball, badminton and takraw courts, the volunteers also installed a Playstation swingset and both outdoor furniture and playground equipment were supplied by Thaikea.

THAIKEA's Furniture is BIG, Please Help Us Open the Doors!

The Thaikea team is currently undertaking an aggressive fundraising campaign, led by long-time volunteer Jackie Dyer, to ensure the continued operation and expansion of its projects. This campaign is specifically geared towards raising the funds needed to officially open the doors of Thaikea's newest workshop site in Baan Kayah village.
Click here to learn more about the fundraising efforts.
Or, to give now: Click here, and reference "Thaikea" in the comments section.

In related news, Laem Pom village is so enthusiastic about a potential Thaikea project of its own, villagers have built their own workshop.

The Partnership Principle

Since its inception, TVC has maintained an unwavering focus on community empowerment. We're proud to announce our latest partnership with Save Andaman Network, a coalition of non-profit organizations that share TVC's goal: help people in the tsunami-affected areas to help themselves. Following the highly successful Laem Pom Village reconstruction initiative, TVC and Save Andaman decided to team up again, this time in the badly damaged village of Nam Kem.

The Nam Kem Project involves the construction of 50 new homes on land purchased with a donation made by the Danish government, Chum Chom Organization in Thailand and others. TVC will work in cooperation with Save Andaman, Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI, a Thai organization that addresses housing and other issues of the poor) and the villagers to build the homes.

Forging alliances with others working toward renewal and with like-purpose is essential to the work of TVC. This "partnership principle" has proven to be the most effective way to allocate precious resources and prevents duplication of efforts -- a frequent occurrence, particularly in rapid-rebuilding environments. Moreover, these relationships create a vital network, allowing both parties to share and build on each others' accumulated knowledge, providing a much deeper and richer understanding of the needs of the community.

"Save Andaman is one of the only NGOs which was working with these communities before the tsunami." said Tirian Mink, TVC's Senior Advisor and Fundraising Coordinator. "Their trust means a great deal, we are excited to continue working with them and learning from them. Best of all, by coming together, our ability to adapt, respond and work with the village to help them meet their long-term needs for renewal is much greater."
Tirian has been a TVC volunteer since January.

Rescuing a Family Tradition

Jahroon's tsunami-ravaged boat represented more than a livelihood; it was his bridge back to two generations of family fisherman. Accordingly, the boat-building project decided to incur what appeared to be additional restoration costs, and engaged thirty volunteers who spent five hours on its retrieval from a ditch on Cape Pakarang. The boat was grounded on Jahroon's property, which is shared by the boatyard project. Jahroon generously donated the land to TVC for two years for the rebuilding of boats, after which time he will inherit the boatyard. Ultimately, a close inspection revealed mostly cosmetic damage to his family"s boat; and it was repaired within two weeks, just in time for the fishing season.

Environmental Restoration Projects Heat Up

As the monsoon season draws to a close, the opportunity to launch environmental restoration projects is once again upon us. With projects ranging from reef clean-up, beach clean-up, environmental education and village restoration. If you would like to contribute financially please click here: and reference "Environment" in the comments section.

Volunteer Bonding

TVC is building a regular calendar of volunteer-led social activities, such as the ever-popular post "Monday Night Mixer" foosball tournament - a great opportunity for all the week's new volunteers to meet with veteran volunteers, movie nights at the centers third floor, and the return of Quiz Night, now led by Wes "Trebek" Fisher. (A recent quiz question: Can you name the hard working volunteer pictured here to the right?)

Who Says Our Volunteers Never Chill?

Welcome to Jai Yen Yen, (roughly, "chill out"); the new TVC volunteer lounge. The lounge located on the 3rd floor of the Center, opened on October 31. As "project manager" for the site, Tim Spedding, TVCs' Orientation and Activities Coordinator, commented, "Volunteers have really needed a place to just hang out and share stories - Jai Yen Yen is perfect for doing just that. Plus we have incredible views of both the sea and the jungle." The space will host volunteer-led activities and movie nights, among other things. Handmade furniture was crafted by Thaikea - and dozens of volunteers and local children contributed to the winsome murals. The lounge will also serve as the site for local children's art classes.
Tim has been a TVC Volunteer since February 1.

NEW VOLUNTEERS

We are thrilled and proud to announce that during the month of October alone TVC has welcomed more than 123 new volunteers!

THANKS TO OUR PARTNER VOLUNTEER GROUPS

The TVC wishes to thank the many organizations who have gotten a group together to come and volunteer. Recent groups of volunteers include:

• Phuket Project
• Thai "Volunteer Mind" Group
• Student Group from Montaburi, Thailand

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...

Given the remarkable spirit of the kind of person we attract, friendships form fast and we often feel more like family. This makes it hard to say farewell, but we understand that journeys must continue. We hope that you are leaving with more than you came with (and not just fisherman pants and Birdie addictions). Please also know you have our gratitude - TVC is better because of you! So, farewell and thank you very much, to those of you who have made your way along our beaches, and in-particular, to these volunteers who have given at least two months of service to TVC...

SOME INDOMITABLE SPIRITS...

We're not sure if it's the easy access to authentic Armani tailors, the Chang Beer hangovers or the wondrous diversity of ants and mosquitoes, but we have countless tales of volunteers who have come for a week and just can't seem to tear themselves away... Here is a list of some of TVC's indomitable spirits who continue to brave the Yellow Tent's Fried Fare...

Gibbons' Club (9+ months)

• Aphichai "Tant" Boonpised (Thailand) IT Staff Support
• Scott Carter (USA) Cape Pakarang Boat Yard Project Manager
• Soontara "Ahoy" Keawpongpok (Thailand) Community Consultant
• Tirian Mink (USA) Senior Consultant & Fundraising Coordinator
• Krainkri "Kraing" Pichedvanichok (Thailand) Thai Volunteer Coordinator
• Aaron Sangster (UK) Cape Pakarang Boat Yard
• Nattakan "Beau" Songpagdee (Thailand) Tsunami Classroom Project Manager
• Thanapon "A" Songput (Thailand) TVC Operations Consultant

Fisherman's Club (6+ months)

• D.J. Hohmeier (USA) Laem Pom Village Construction Project Manager
• Joa Keis (USA) English Education Project Manager
• Tilo Rau (USA) Construction Consultant
• Tim "Danger!" Spedding (UK) TVC Special Ops & Social Events Coordinator
• Albert Zwartjes (Netherlands) Tap Tawaan Village Construction
• William Bay (USA) TVC Support

Monsoon Club (3+ months)

• Gabrielle Anderson (USA) Cape Pakarang Boat Yard
• Sabine Brecheisen (Germany) TVC Reception
• Steve Bydal (USA) Cape Pakarang Boat Yard
• Max Chance (USA) Cape Pakarang Boat Yard
• Jenny Garden (Canada) Tap Tawaan Village Construction
• Jeremy Gilmore (USA) Bang Sak Village and Khor Khao Island Construction Project Manager
• Travis Lear (USA) English Education
• Karen LeMessurier (Canada) English Education
• Pra Teep "Dum" Na Thalang (Thailand) Maintenance
• Sochipan "Goi" Netrung (Thailand) Tap Tawaan Village Construction
• Roger Parent (USA) TVC Advisor
• Jennifer Rudolf (USA) Small Business Development Project Manager
• Wan-Ru-Dee "June" Sangsawang (Thailand) TVC Accountant
• Kevin Schartz (USA) Nam Khem Soi Tapu Construction

EDITORS

The TVC Longtale is a monthly newsletter for volunteers by volunteers.
It's logo and name is inspired by the nearly 3-ton longtail fishing boats
that are one of Thailand's most recognizable symbols.
Great ideas, questions and comments always welcome here.