Tsunami Relief
Macquarie University is renowned for its commitment to internationalisation, and as a result has a strong enrolment of international students from across the world, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region. Students and staff from Macquarie watched the unfolding of the East Asia Tsunami disaster with empathy and hope for those in affected regions. We decided to take tangible and lasting action to assist those in need.
About MQ's "Tsunami Relief" Team
Working with aid organisation Tsunami Volunteers, a team of Macquarie students (accompanied by staff members) undertook relief work in the Tsunami-affected area of Khao Lak in Thailand. While much of Thailand affected by the tsunami has undergone significant rehabilitation, the area around Khao Lak has been lacking support. Macquarie built partnerships with the local community, learned about reconstruction needs and worked to restore vital services. The team was involved in construction, environmental rehabilitation, teaching, and small business development projects. The two-week project began July 1st and ended July 15th.
The team was coordinated by Macquarie International, the international office of Macquarie University , who have extensive experience in cross-cultural relations, sending students overseas and supporting students and staff with pre-departure orientation, and in-country support.
View the video footage here:
- Windows Media Format (wmv - 5.99MB)
- Real Player Format (rm - 8.12MB)
Meet the Team
| Kate Best | Eleanor Kent | Martin Mills | Sonali Seneviratne |
| Michelle Bragg | Andrew Lang | Colleen Moriarty | Adam Solomon |
| Samantha Bruce | Jacqueline Lees |
Susy Sri Suseendira Murugathas
|
Linda Symons |
| Holly Daly | Jenna Tregarthen | Tim Quadrio | April Young |
| Cameron Eren | Pabasari Siriwardana | Catherine Quinn | Wilhelmina Van Rooy |
| John Fenech | Laura Lombardo |
Kathryn Hughes- Team Leader, MGSM
Pepi Rodrigues- Team Leader, Buildings & Grounds
Melissa Brun- Team Leader, Macquarie International
Projects
Upon arrival the Tsunami Volunteers conducted a day long orientation which included site visits, language & culture, project overviews, health advice, local area orientation, and Tsunami Volunteers Center history. Then the team split into three main groups. Two groups focused on construction projects within demolished villages. And the third group focused on environmental clean-up. A few others, who could not do hard labour or who had skills needed by the Tsunami Centre, worked in the Tsunami Volunteers reception, in small business projects or IT, Craft Shop, and a children's center.
Construction Site 1: Laem Phom
This site is situated at the location of a village which was completely destroyed by the tsunami. The village lost more than 50% of its inhabitants. Those not lost, were working elsewhere when the tsunami hit. Due to political influences, the returning villagers have experienced hardships from both the Thai government and Mafia as these two parties struggle to take possession of the land. Because the village had existed for several generations, the villagers were not aware of land right issues and did not secure the land legally for themselves. After the tsunami hit, both the mafia and government tried to take control of the land in order to sell it to international businesses looking for properties to build resorts.
Tsunami Volunteers has teamed with the village to build their homes as quickly as possible to ensure neither the government nor mafia can take possession of the land. The fact that a high profile organisation full of westerners is helping the villagers, has persuaded the government and mafia to be more careful about the profile and image they are giving. It does not look good for the Thai government if they are using the tsunami to their advantage to take the land from the villagers.
Reports from Tsunami volunteers is that as long as westerners are present at the site giving interviews, and telling a story of survival and rebuilding to international media interests, then the other parties are pressured to leave the people in a bit of peace.
On this site, the participants became part of Tsunami Volunteer teams and demolished damaged structures and foundations, cleared areas for building, assisted in constructing homes, and painted new structures. They made significant contributions to the projects, and impressed the Project Managers with their enthusiasm and hard work.
Construction Site 2: Tap Tawaan
This village was completely destroyed by the tsunami and 50% of the population was lost. Those who survived were out to sea on that day. The village was originally inhabited by the sea gypsies, whom would spend the dry season at sea and the wet season on land. Tap Tawaan is experiencing land rights issues similar to Laem Phom. However, in this village the youngest Princess of Thailand has taken an interest and is monitoring the village development and supplying the villagers with some raw materials for rebuilding. We had the opportunity to see her one day when she visited the village, but were not allowed to meet her as she was escorted by a large contingent of security vehicles and officials.
Tsunami Volunteers have constructed homes, cleared debris, opened the pre-school, and assists the villagers with various other projects. Other non-governmental aid organisations had constructed about five homes in the village, however, the sea gypsies will not live in these homes. The sea gypsies believe that the earth is for the dead and the sea for the living. Therefore, they will not live ‘on the land' and are using these homes as storage buildings and shopfronts. Tsunami Volunteers, sensitive to the sea gypsies beliefs and working side-by-side with them, developed housing plans which detailed houses to be constructed on stilts above the ground. In total, Tsunami Volunteers and the villagers have successfully built 35 stilt homes.
The MQ participants assisted in the building of the stilt homes by rendering (covering bricks with concrete) walls, bricklaying, and laying foundations. The work was physically challenging and all the participants were very enthusiastic and hardworking. Like the Laem Phom team, this team made significant contributions to the project and impressed the Project Manager with their willingness and diligence.
During our time Tap Tawaan the village began to develop a community centre for children to play and adults to have meetings. Tsunami Volunteers would like to continue to develop this centre. In addition, ‘Thaikea' was developed in this village to build simple furniture for houses such as, tables, chairs, cabinets, etc. as the villagers had lost everything.
Environmental Clean-up Laem Pom
The pond is an important project as the village surrounds the pond and it was used as a place for washing clothes, water source for cleaning and bathing, as well as a play area for the children.
This was a new project that started when our team arrived as we could provide the resources for Tsunami Volunteers. This team worked on cleaning debris out of the pond, restoring pond's edges, replanting trees around pond and native water plants in the pond, as well as landscaping the general area for sustainable usage and safety. Like the other teams, this team made a significant contribution towards rehabilitating and environmental project.
Other Volunteering Opportunities
Two of the MQ participants volunteered at Tsunami Volunteers Center working on reception and assisting others in their projects. One of them also worked with the centre in outlining future small business projects and ideas.
One of the participants also volunteered at Tsunami Victims' Craft Shop where she helped organise products made by tsunami victims to sell.
One of the participants volunteered as a TESL teacher at a school for juvenile delinquents. She taught groups of 45-55 students every hour. This was a very challenging environment as there was not a set teaching plan and student progress, behaviour and attendance were not monitored.
Other participant's main role was to interview and collect footage of the area & projects and develop a ‘tell the team's story' documentary. Feelings, encounters, demands of physical labour, environment, tragedy, and hope have contributed to a rich experience for the team. This documentary will be viewed on August 3 rd during the Team's presentation. He also has assisted various volunteers with translation as he speaks Thai.
Other Learning Opportunities
Some of the MQ participants visited the Thai Health Authority (IOM) and a Burmese Refugee Camp to learn about how the Thai government is coping with identifying the number of tsunami victims in the camps. They also explored the life in the camps and the socio-economic placement of the refugees.
One of the participants had the opportunity to visit a Thai Elementary School for the day and assist in TESL.
One of the participants had the opportunity to spend a day and a half at the Children's Pre-School Center in Tap Tawaan, playing with the children and helping build English skills.
View Macquarie International's response to the Asian Tsunami Disaster.