November 04, 2005
We went to this Sea-gypsies village in Koh-Hlao. An Island along the Andaman Sea, where is at the border of Thai and Myanmar. The people there accepted Christ after the incident of Tsunami and tasted the goodness of Christians Aids in many areas, as well as witnessing Miracles that happened in the village through prayers.
They really need medical attention. Many have skin diseases, parasites infestation, mal-nutritional problems, dental problems etc. They have no citizenship, as the pastor who serve there tried to get the attention from the Ranong Health Ministry but was rejected for the reason of inconvenience in traveling. The infant mortality rate is high. I brought some de-worming medication with me, but only the little ones responded to the drug. I am not sure whether the reason of this is because of the drugs are generics or the dosage was under dose. Certainly a Medical Mission team is highly needed in this region.
We managed to go to Koh-Bayam, which is another island which is located in the deep sea. This village was totally destroyed by Tsunami. Many had died in the incident, and left with many widows and orphans. An old woman is having this cataract problem, and the children again are badly infested by parasites.
It saddened me as I noticed that most of the sickness and death were at the cost of a few dollars of medications, and awareness of keeping their environment clean and livable.
Showing posts with label Post-Tsunami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Post-Tsunami. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Thoughts when I came back from Koh-Hlau, naive it maybe......
Dear Friends,
Finally, we are back in Malaysia, thanks for your prayers! After the visit in Ranong and Koh-Hlao Island, our country is a heaven while compare.
The living expenses in Ranong and Phuket is high, not too far from the living expenses in Malaysia. The monthly income is in average about 6,000 Baht. Some who owns a car is about 8,000 - 10,000 Baht. The gasoline is much more expensive than ours too. This situation had made the life in this area even harder, I assume.
The Tsunami affected area indeed had captured many attentions from the N.G.O.s, I would say "We Love Thailand" had done a fantastic job in many affected areas.
The Island that we visited was Koh-Hlao Island. It is located along the Andaman Sea, at about 25 minutes boat drive from Ranong. If it is low tide, we can actually walk across to Myanmar region, which is at the other side of the Island. The people group is Sea-Gypsies, and they converse in a unique language, Moken. A few of the elderly people can speak in Malay( they lived near Langkawi Island when they were children); and some of them, because of the influences in the sea business, can speak in Thai.
On this Island, we see water tanks funded by Baptise, We Love Thailand, IYEO, KERF. ActionAid and Campus Crusade For Christ had also came into this island to assist in relieve work. As we assisted the Ps. Vichai in the ministry, we find that the villagers are very dependant on him in their daily needs. Ps. Vichai is a Thai missionary that had left his family and moved to this island six months ago, working closely with Full Gospel Church in Ranong to facilitate the rebuilding project in Koh-Hlao Island. As we were in the village, we found that a Thai lady who is staying on the Island provided food for the children in lunch time with her own money or sometimes in the assist of Ps. Vichai, or from the volunteers of the church that came over to teach the children Thai and bible stories.
It surprised me as I explored further on the Island, and find that ActionAid had also set up an "office" on that island, and have some connection with IYEO and JVC to set up a "Children Center of Foundation" hall. The hall looks like a canteen, and has a tremendous kitchen. Outside the wall hang some good pictures of giving out food to the children. Unfortunately, our stay in Koh-Hlao had not witness any of these good deeds.
By realizing so many N.G.O.s which had put their attention on this island, I was even surprised for the medical needs in this village was never attended. The children are badly parasite infested, the infant mortality is high, the adults are poorly given attention, their skin infections were so bad, and mostly all of them are mal-nutrition. We walked along with Ps. Vichai with his first-aid box in his hand, continuing gaining the trust from these people by praying with them, showing care and concern, plus applying antiseptic cream onto the wounds. In fact, after so many months of attention, this was the first time that they had a de-worming program. And it was done by a group of hardly qualified people, us. Although hardly qualified, nevertheless needs still to need to be met.
I was really angry. While so many had come, I didn't see containers of supplies in this village. There are no food on the table except for shells, which is their only source on this island. They have boats now for transportation, but no motors/engines that enable them to go out to the deep sea for fishing. They can only provide dinner for their children but not lunch. The land of the Island is filled with shells, rough stones and broken glasses. Adults or children running bare feet on the island, all skinny, but with a big bounced out stomach.
I really pray that a seriousness in all these organizations that come. I pray that a well meaning in doing any relief work, not so much on documented publication and talks on the paper, but in real situation, the funds that generated for these projects shall wisely be used, justicely be distributed. I also pray that as a unity among all these who try to help out the situation in Koh-Hlao Island, a transparency and clear communication shall occur. As where and when the church is teaching the children languages or having their service, the other party shall not turn on their TV so loud, with their Bollywood movies on, and tempt the children and adults to go in to the house for a movie session. This had aroused the anger of the Headman in the village. And strange enough, each time as the service ends, or the church activities ends, the house next door that the ActionAid people had called it their office would shut their doors and remained silence. Please also pray that God will move a medical team into this area, so that they would have medical attention. Sadly to say, most of the complications or death in this place is due to ignorance on basic health care, and should be prevented by just a few dollars medication.
We can see God's hands upon this place, and as the children sang the worship songs, we are certain there is a HOPE.
Blessed,
Roseline
Nov 05, 2005
Finally, we are back in Malaysia, thanks for your prayers! After the visit in Ranong and Koh-Hlao Island, our country is a heaven while compare.
The living expenses in Ranong and Phuket is high, not too far from the living expenses in Malaysia. The monthly income is in average about 6,000 Baht. Some who owns a car is about 8,000 - 10,000 Baht. The gasoline is much more expensive than ours too. This situation had made the life in this area even harder, I assume.
The Tsunami affected area indeed had captured many attentions from the N.G.O.s, I would say "We Love Thailand" had done a fantastic job in many affected areas.
The Island that we visited was Koh-Hlao Island. It is located along the Andaman Sea, at about 25 minutes boat drive from Ranong. If it is low tide, we can actually walk across to Myanmar region, which is at the other side of the Island. The people group is Sea-Gypsies, and they converse in a unique language, Moken. A few of the elderly people can speak in Malay( they lived near Langkawi Island when they were children); and some of them, because of the influences in the sea business, can speak in Thai.
On this Island, we see water tanks funded by Baptise, We Love Thailand, IYEO, KERF. ActionAid and Campus Crusade For Christ had also came into this island to assist in relieve work. As we assisted the Ps. Vichai in the ministry, we find that the villagers are very dependant on him in their daily needs. Ps. Vichai is a Thai missionary that had left his family and moved to this island six months ago, working closely with Full Gospel Church in Ranong to facilitate the rebuilding project in Koh-Hlao Island. As we were in the village, we found that a Thai lady who is staying on the Island provided food for the children in lunch time with her own money or sometimes in the assist of Ps. Vichai, or from the volunteers of the church that came over to teach the children Thai and bible stories.
It surprised me as I explored further on the Island, and find that ActionAid had also set up an "office" on that island, and have some connection with IYEO and JVC to set up a "Children Center of Foundation" hall. The hall looks like a canteen, and has a tremendous kitchen. Outside the wall hang some good pictures of giving out food to the children. Unfortunately, our stay in Koh-Hlao had not witness any of these good deeds.
By realizing so many N.G.O.s which had put their attention on this island, I was even surprised for the medical needs in this village was never attended. The children are badly parasite infested, the infant mortality is high, the adults are poorly given attention, their skin infections were so bad, and mostly all of them are mal-nutrition. We walked along with Ps. Vichai with his first-aid box in his hand, continuing gaining the trust from these people by praying with them, showing care and concern, plus applying antiseptic cream onto the wounds. In fact, after so many months of attention, this was the first time that they had a de-worming program. And it was done by a group of hardly qualified people, us. Although hardly qualified, nevertheless needs still to need to be met.
I was really angry. While so many had come, I didn't see containers of supplies in this village. There are no food on the table except for shells, which is their only source on this island. They have boats now for transportation, but no motors/engines that enable them to go out to the deep sea for fishing. They can only provide dinner for their children but not lunch. The land of the Island is filled with shells, rough stones and broken glasses. Adults or children running bare feet on the island, all skinny, but with a big bounced out stomach.
I really pray that a seriousness in all these organizations that come. I pray that a well meaning in doing any relief work, not so much on documented publication and talks on the paper, but in real situation, the funds that generated for these projects shall wisely be used, justicely be distributed. I also pray that as a unity among all these who try to help out the situation in Koh-Hlao Island, a transparency and clear communication shall occur. As where and when the church is teaching the children languages or having their service, the other party shall not turn on their TV so loud, with their Bollywood movies on, and tempt the children and adults to go in to the house for a movie session. This had aroused the anger of the Headman in the village. And strange enough, each time as the service ends, or the church activities ends, the house next door that the ActionAid people had called it their office would shut their doors and remained silence. Please also pray that God will move a medical team into this area, so that they would have medical attention. Sadly to say, most of the complications or death in this place is due to ignorance on basic health care, and should be prevented by just a few dollars medication.
We can see God's hands upon this place, and as the children sang the worship songs, we are certain there is a HOPE.
Blessed,
Roseline
Nov 05, 2005
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