Mixed congregations listens to prayers

Memorial tree

Phi Phi AID’s Trustees and Committee Members wish you all a very happy New Year and thank you for the interest you have shown in the work we have been doing.

On 26 December we remembered the tsunami of 3 years ago by having an extremely moving service in the open.  Prayers were said at the same time by the three main religions which were affected by the disaster: Islam, Christian, Buddhist. This was followed by a 1 minute silence, after which flowers were laid around the Tsunami Memorial tree. The occasion was attended by a few thousand persons.

Our ‘small’ projects appear to have come to an end, in any case temporarily. We are waiting to see what Thailand’s new government is going to decide regarding the development of  the land where, as yet, no building is allowed to take place.  We understand that before the tsunami a number of residences and businesses were there without having obtained governmental permission.   The tsunami wiped those out.  Phi Phi AID is never involved with governmental matters, but is patiently waiting to see what is going to happen.  However, we may well become involved if there are any projects in this area in the future with government permission.

In the meantime, it came to my notice that another school on Phi Phi, in Laemthong, North-East of the island, badly needed help.  The tsunami did not do any damage to speak of to the school.  It is situated on higher ground, which makes it safe and is therefore ideal for a place to escape to for those in the area, should there be another disaster.