I thought I'd share with you this afternoon a little bit of the history of my involvement with philanthropy and some of the lessons about how I think more philanthropy at the corporate level and the personal level is both something that we should strive for and something that is needed.
I grew up in a family that was very involved in the community. My mother and father both had a chance to head the local United Way campaign, and I remember my mom coming and talking about some of the tough decisions that she faced when she ran the allocation committee, looking at the different charities, trying to understand what the needs in the community were, who was spending the money wisely, what needs would not be met and it was amazing to me the range of people, you could say entrepreneurial people who had created nonprofits to meet those needs and how they were using very limited resources to do neat things...
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Bill Gates' Connections with United Way and Community Foundation
It's interesting to find out that Bill Gates, besides establishing and running his own Foundation, also has ties with United Way campaigns and with the community foundation movement. You can learn more about his past encounters with philanthropy and his thought towards it from his speech delivered in a ceremony organized by the Community Foundation of Silicon Valley - one of the fastest growing community foundations in the States - on October 1, 2004.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Charities that "Waste Your Donation"
League table of charities?? Seems like an interesting idea...
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN CHARITY LEAGUE TABLES?
An "Information Sheet" for each of over 100 well-known UK charities which analyses and details the Income & Expenditure Account, and Balance Sheet for up to the last 5 years and calculates 10 ratios and rates. These ratios and rates, together with figures, are put into "League Tables" a total of 15 which are also included. These League Tables are:
- COST OF FUNDRAISING: How much each charity spends for each £1 you donate, on fundraising.
- COST OF ADMINISTRATION: How much each charity spends for each £1 you donate, on administration.
- TOTAL COST OF FUNDRAISING & ADMINISTRATION: Some charities spend a greater proportion on fundraising than administration so, in addition, we total the two figures in the £1 together. Some charities spend getting on for half of what is donated on fundraising and administration combined.
- RETURN ON RESERVES & RESOURCES: How much income as a percentage of total reserves and resources. The greater the percentage, the more efficient the charity at raising funds.
- RESERVES & RESOURCES / ASSETS: What percentage of assets comprise reserves and resources. The higher the percentage, the less of your donation is being spent.
- INCREASE IN TOTAL COST: The percentage increase in costs of fundraising and administration between the latest year and the year before. The higher the percentage the greater the proportion of income is going on these costs.
- INCOME GROWTH: The percentage increase in income between the latest year and the year before. The higher the percentage the greater the ability of the charity to generate more funds.
- RESERVES & RESOURCES GROWTH: The higher the percentage the greater the proportion of income is being saved, not spent.
- AVERAGE REMUNERATION PER EMPLOYEE: The average amount it costs to employ a worker. The higher the figure, the greater the pay.
- TOTAL INCOME PER EMPLOYEE: How much income, on average, the charity generates for each employee. The higher the figure, the greater the average income.
HEALTH WARNING: League tables are financial analysis only. They tell you where each charity is positioned financially in terms of size, efficiency and growth but do not explain why, that's for the charities.
The Daily Mirror has published a league table of charities including Cancer Research UK, Oxfam and the NSPCC by Searchline Publications, warning the public not to donate to charities that "waste your donation" on administration: http://charityleaguetables.co.uk/
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN CHARITY LEAGUE TABLES?
An "Information Sheet" for each of over 100 well-known UK charities which analyses and details the Income & Expenditure Account, and Balance Sheet for up to the last 5 years and calculates 10 ratios and rates. These ratios and rates, together with figures, are put into "League Tables" a total of 15 which are also included. These League Tables are:
- COST OF FUNDRAISING: How much each charity spends for each £1 you donate, on fundraising.
- COST OF ADMINISTRATION: How much each charity spends for each £1 you donate, on administration.
- TOTAL COST OF FUNDRAISING & ADMINISTRATION: Some charities spend a greater proportion on fundraising than administration so, in addition, we total the two figures in the £1 together. Some charities spend getting on for half of what is donated on fundraising and administration combined.
- RETURN ON RESERVES & RESOURCES: How much income as a percentage of total reserves and resources. The greater the percentage, the more efficient the charity at raising funds.
- RESERVES & RESOURCES / ASSETS: What percentage of assets comprise reserves and resources. The higher the percentage, the less of your donation is being spent.
- INCREASE IN TOTAL COST: The percentage increase in costs of fundraising and administration between the latest year and the year before. The higher the percentage the greater the proportion of income is going on these costs.
- INCOME GROWTH: The percentage increase in income between the latest year and the year before. The higher the percentage the greater the ability of the charity to generate more funds.
- RESERVES & RESOURCES GROWTH: The higher the percentage the greater the proportion of income is being saved, not spent.
- AVERAGE REMUNERATION PER EMPLOYEE: The average amount it costs to employ a worker. The higher the figure, the greater the pay.
- TOTAL INCOME PER EMPLOYEE: How much income, on average, the charity generates for each employee. The higher the figure, the greater the average income.
HEALTH WARNING: League tables are financial analysis only. They tell you where each charity is positioned financially in terms of size, efficiency and growth but do not explain why, that's for the charities.
Voluntary sector briefing from Guardian
I've recently subscribed the weekly voluntary sector briefing from Society Guardian (member of Guardian Newspaper Group) and the following is the news items of the week. The weekly briefing also includes information on voluntary sector events, other happenings, and nonprofit job openings, etc. It would be great if a local press, say Mingpao, can compile similar information for local nonprofit practitioners...
Oxfam will end its Asian tsunami appeal today because the public has already helped the charity raise the GBP70m it needs to help the victims of last month's disaster:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1400697,00.html
.... Special focus: the tsunami, one month on. We asked survivors, relatives and volunteers from 12 countries how they spent the day:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1399667,00.html
.... As the Red Cross worker Ian Woolverton prepares to leave the tsunami-devastated Indonesian region of Aceh, truckloads of fresh water are finally getting through:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/comment/0,14178,1399838,00.html
.... The world's richest countries need to make a "quantum leap forward" in helping Africa in 2005, Tony Blair said as he announced that Britain would spend GBP45m on mosquito nets to prevent malaria:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1400632,00.html
.... Small businesses are to be offered cash incentives to introduce a payroll-giving scheme enabling staff to make regular donations to charity, the government has announced:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/charityfinance/story/0,8150,1398990,00.html
.... For more on fundraising and charity finance, visit our special report:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/charityfinance/0,8145,431062,00.html
.... The UN has backed a call from Oxfam to develop an accreditation system for aid agencies working in the tsunami disaster region:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1399799,00.html
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR THIS WEEK
Oxfam will end its Asian tsunami appeal today because the public has already helped the charity raise the GBP70m it needs to help the victims of last month's disaster:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1400697,00.html
.... Special focus: the tsunami, one month on. We asked survivors, relatives and volunteers from 12 countries how they spent the day:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1399667,00.html
.... As the Red Cross worker Ian Woolverton prepares to leave the tsunami-devastated Indonesian region of Aceh, truckloads of fresh water are finally getting through:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/comment/0,14178,1399838,00.html
.... The world's richest countries need to make a "quantum leap forward" in helping Africa in 2005, Tony Blair said as he announced that Britain would spend GBP45m on mosquito nets to prevent malaria:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1400632,00.html
.... Small businesses are to be offered cash incentives to introduce a payroll-giving scheme enabling staff to make regular donations to charity, the government has announced:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/charityfinance/story/0,8150,1398990,00.html
.... For more on fundraising and charity finance, visit our special report:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/charityfinance/0,8145,431062,00.html
.... The UN has backed a call from Oxfam to develop an accreditation system for aid agencies working in the tsunami disaster region:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/aid/story/0,14178,1399799,00.html
招募南亞災區義工
A reference to 義務工作發展局 from today's Mingpao...
【明 報專訊】南亞地震及海嘯災難過後，現急需義工為災民重建家園。聯合國義工計劃組織（UNV,United Nations Volunteers）現正招募具傳媒資訊、災難重建管理、抗災技術建築、漁業、熱帶或海岸地區環境知識、土木工程、農業技術、物流或運輸等專業知識及經 驗的義工，到南亞海嘯受災地區提供6至12個月的專業支援，協助重建工作。
■申請義工須具備下列資格及經驗︰
- 25歲或以上
- 持大學學位及能操流利英語
- 具處理災難應變經驗
- 曾於南亞地區工作及略懂當地語言
- 可短期內到任
詳情請登入UNV網址www.unvolunteers.org/tsunami
或致電 2865 2520 義務工作發展局義工培訓及拓展中心查詢
招募南亞災區義工
【明 報專訊】南亞地震及海嘯災難過後，現急需義工為災民重建家園。聯合國義工計劃組織（UNV,United Nations Volunteers）現正招募具傳媒資訊、災難重建管理、抗災技術建築、漁業、熱帶或海岸地區環境知識、土木工程、農業技術、物流或運輸等專業知識及經 驗的義工，到南亞海嘯受災地區提供6至12個月的專業支援，協助重建工作。
■申請義工須具備下列資格及經驗︰
- 25歲或以上
- 持大學學位及能操流利英語
- 具處理災難應變經驗
- 曾於南亞地區工作及略懂當地語言
- 可短期內到任
詳情請登入UNV網址www.unvolunteers.org/tsunami
或致電 2865 2520 義務工作發展局義工培訓及拓展中心查詢
Thursday, January 27, 2005
論「非政府組織」
From the website of 聯陣 found a series of articles on the featured topic: "社會福利與扶貧"...
Copied below is the editorial introduction on the featured topic, and an extract from one of the articles which suggests - broadly speaking - there are four kinds of NGOs in Hong Kong. But is this typology a meaningful one?
今期「社會福利與扶貧專題」共收錄九篇文章，大致分兩類，首六篇討論福利主義，探討香港是否有福利主義？為甚麼有人避談福利主義？福利主義的局限，及它與社 會運動的關係。餘三篇討論扶貧，正好回應施政報告的扶貧政策。扶貧是甚麼？它與社會福利的分別？為何「非政府組織」(NGO) 喜歡扶貧？扶貧是陷阱嗎？
「非政府組織」的定義其實很含糊，一般同時指「非牟利組織」。以香港情況觀之，可分四類：
a) 一類是受政府資助的社會服務團體。在拉美，法西斯暴力橫行，「非政府組織」採取低調，協助一部份窮人解困，末嘗不是一件有意義的事；反觀香港，既無暴力威脅，社會服務的「非政府組織」卻絕少介入社會抗爭。近年，社會服務的「非政府組織」推動對第三條路、公民社會、社區共享，以至合作社、社區經濟的討論，當 中不乏想從政府手上搶佔更多服務，接取更大份額津貼之嫌。換一個角度看，未嘗不可視為部份社會服務界精英，在新自由主義緊縮政策下，欲借民眾之名來維護 「專業」地盤的一種企圖。歷來，香港社會福利界的「非政府組織」都是政府的忠實伙伴，是「半政府組織」。
b) 第二類是直接受「國際捐助者」資助，或作為國際組織本地分支的「非政府組織」。活動範圍由人權、扶貧、勞工，至環保也有。它們並不排斥政治議題，但較易出 現以「國際捐助者」角度來篩選本地議題的毛病，因此常孤立在本地議題之外。尤其一些NGO本身也是基金的提供者，因此它們的立場與趣味會對本地其它「非政府組織」(向前者申請資助)造成一定影嚮(甚至負面影嚮)。
c) 第三類是各種民間組織，有時稱為自助互助團體，範圍由富豪俱樂部至綜援小組也包括在內。當中既包括有政治取向的、社會行動取向的，也有非政治化、講求個人趣味或宗教的。有意見認為自助互助團體茁壯，代表了公民社會的成熟程度，有些學者因此倡議訂立量度公民社會的標準。但也有意見認為，自助互助團體蓬勃，並 不表示社會就存在公平和公義，將大財團俱樂部與窮人互助小組並排未免令人感到諷刺。
d) 第四類是基層團體，由於第三類民間組織內容太分歧，權益立場互相衝突，因此有分析將位於社會基層或邊緣的社群，如：勞工團體、失業者團體、綜援團體、新移民團體、部份婦女團體、部份宗教團體分出來，另成一個類別。
Copied below is the editorial introduction on the featured topic, and an extract from one of the articles which suggests - broadly speaking - there are four kinds of NGOs in Hong Kong. But is this typology a meaningful one?
專題:社會福利與扶貧
今期「社會福利與扶貧專題」共收錄九篇文章，大致分兩類，首六篇討論福利主義，探討香港是否有福利主義？為甚麼有人避談福利主義？福利主義的局限，及它與社 會運動的關係。餘三篇討論扶貧，正好回應施政報告的扶貧政策。扶貧是甚麼？它與社會福利的分別？為何「非政府組織」(NGO) 喜歡扶貧？扶貧是陷阱嗎？
論「非政府組織」(NGO)
夏菽
「非政府組織」的定義其實很含糊，一般同時指「非牟利組織」。以香港情況觀之，可分四類：
a) 一類是受政府資助的社會服務團體。在拉美，法西斯暴力橫行，「非政府組織」採取低調，協助一部份窮人解困，末嘗不是一件有意義的事；反觀香港，既無暴力威脅，社會服務的「非政府組織」卻絕少介入社會抗爭。近年，社會服務的「非政府組織」推動對第三條路、公民社會、社區共享，以至合作社、社區經濟的討論，當 中不乏想從政府手上搶佔更多服務，接取更大份額津貼之嫌。換一個角度看，未嘗不可視為部份社會服務界精英，在新自由主義緊縮政策下，欲借民眾之名來維護 「專業」地盤的一種企圖。歷來，香港社會福利界的「非政府組織」都是政府的忠實伙伴，是「半政府組織」。
b) 第二類是直接受「國際捐助者」資助，或作為國際組織本地分支的「非政府組織」。活動範圍由人權、扶貧、勞工，至環保也有。它們並不排斥政治議題，但較易出 現以「國際捐助者」角度來篩選本地議題的毛病，因此常孤立在本地議題之外。尤其一些NGO本身也是基金的提供者，因此它們的立場與趣味會對本地其它「非政府組織」(向前者申請資助)造成一定影嚮(甚至負面影嚮)。
c) 第三類是各種民間組織，有時稱為自助互助團體，範圍由富豪俱樂部至綜援小組也包括在內。當中既包括有政治取向的、社會行動取向的，也有非政治化、講求個人趣味或宗教的。有意見認為自助互助團體茁壯，代表了公民社會的成熟程度，有些學者因此倡議訂立量度公民社會的標準。但也有意見認為，自助互助團體蓬勃，並 不表示社會就存在公平和公義，將大財團俱樂部與窮人互助小組並排未免令人感到諷刺。
d) 第四類是基層團體，由於第三類民間組織內容太分歧，權益立場互相衝突，因此有分析將位於社會基層或邊緣的社群，如：勞工團體、失業者團體、綜援團體、新移民團體、部份婦女團體、部份宗教團體分出來，另成一個類別。
李嘉誠基金會
From today's Mingpao...
【明報專訊】眾人皆知李嘉誠有兩個兒子，但很少人知道他第三個兒子的詳情。他在接受《亞洲週刊》的專訪時矢言會「給他資產」，並且笑言自己已向兩名兒子言明﹕「『弟弟』不會帶給你們麻煩的，你們也不要去麻煩『弟弟』。」寵愛之情，溢於言表。
李氏口中的第三子正是他在1980年創立的「李嘉誠基金會」。
接受《亞洲週刊》專訪
在專訪中，他透露了孕育這個孩子的經過。「有一天晚上我整夜輾轉反側，第二天在與家人一起吃飯時，我就對他們說，從這天開始我增添一個孩子。兒子聽了都嚇得 一片沉默，以為爸爸瘋了。其實我是想通了，假如我有第三個孩子，他都做得不錯的話，我不是也要給他將來的事業找基礎，如果我就視這個基金是我的第三個孩 子，我也給他資產，讓他可以發展更廣闊，令更多人得益。我希望我們中華民族13億人都能想得通這個道理，中國人對財產的傳統思維是世代相傳，父傳子，子傳孫，世世代代這樣下去。但假如我們全想通這個道理，是中國人一個大的轉變，大家都可以這麼做，民族會有更多幸福快樂。」
自基金會成立以來，已捐出及承諾了的捐款超過65億港元。他形容這是他營商事業以外的另一個事業。他說﹕「我除了睡覺，以及每天早上打球1小時15分鐘和星期天休息外，其他時間都是放在這兩個事業上……這兩個事業對我都重要。」
第二個事業的服務對象也很清楚。他透露，「我對家人講得很明白，基金會百分百的資源都是用於我們從來不認識的人身上，我的家人、基金會的同仁都不會從這些基金內得到任何利益。」
他又明言，「我開玩笑告訴我的兒子們，這個弟弟不會給你們添麻煩的，但你們也不要給他添麻煩，兄弟要和睦相處。」
親電病人核實善款
面對內地一些慈善基金的款項也會落入貪官手裏，他會如何管理基金會的款項呢﹖「我很重視管理，我們現在做的消除白內障手術、為殘疾人安裝義肢或20家在中國 大陸免費為晚期腫瘤病人服務的寧養事業所有病人資料，均以電腦記錄，我隨時都能拿起電話打到病人的家中核實情，有嚴謹的監管流程，在公益項目中挪用專款 的行為令人齒冷，犯法的人更應予以重罰。」
最後他又暢談了自己的人生追求。他說﹕「我有時覺得我自己的性格絕對不是一個最適宜從商的人，我討厭應酬，不喜歡拉關係，又容易動感情，這都是做生意的弱點。
討厭應酬拉關係謙稱不宜從商
但我也有幾個強項，一是求知，追求最新的知識﹔二是努力工作，這可以彌補不足，最重要的是有是非分明的心。」
「我更追求節約，一般來說，節約的人會有更多的時間。這種心理非但沒有影響我的事業，還幫助我將上市公司做到最好的效率、最好的效果、給股東最好的回報。我可以大膽的說一句，我的商業發展現在是一生中最佳的時期。」
「現在我非常專注發展另外一個事業，就是基金會所做的教育、醫療及對有需要扶助的人的幫助，我非常樂意去做，而且希望在這一生能夠多做些這樣的事，因為我知道有系統的公益事業發展是無止境的，即使我日後不再在這個世界上，基金會的發展亦一樣可以永久持續和做得更多。」
李嘉誠禁兩兒麻煩第三子
【明報專訊】眾人皆知李嘉誠有兩個兒子，但很少人知道他第三個兒子的詳情。他在接受《亞洲週刊》的專訪時矢言會「給他資產」，並且笑言自己已向兩名兒子言明﹕「『弟弟』不會帶給你們麻煩的，你們也不要去麻煩『弟弟』。」寵愛之情，溢於言表。
李氏口中的第三子正是他在1980年創立的「李嘉誠基金會」。
接受《亞洲週刊》專訪
在專訪中，他透露了孕育這個孩子的經過。「有一天晚上我整夜輾轉反側，第二天在與家人一起吃飯時，我就對他們說，從這天開始我增添一個孩子。兒子聽了都嚇得 一片沉默，以為爸爸瘋了。其實我是想通了，假如我有第三個孩子，他都做得不錯的話，我不是也要給他將來的事業找基礎，如果我就視這個基金是我的第三個孩 子，我也給他資產，讓他可以發展更廣闊，令更多人得益。我希望我們中華民族13億人都能想得通這個道理，中國人對財產的傳統思維是世代相傳，父傳子，子傳孫，世世代代這樣下去。但假如我們全想通這個道理，是中國人一個大的轉變，大家都可以這麼做，民族會有更多幸福快樂。」
自基金會成立以來，已捐出及承諾了的捐款超過65億港元。他形容這是他營商事業以外的另一個事業。他說﹕「我除了睡覺，以及每天早上打球1小時15分鐘和星期天休息外，其他時間都是放在這兩個事業上……這兩個事業對我都重要。」
第二個事業的服務對象也很清楚。他透露，「我對家人講得很明白，基金會百分百的資源都是用於我們從來不認識的人身上，我的家人、基金會的同仁都不會從這些基金內得到任何利益。」
他又明言，「我開玩笑告訴我的兒子們，這個弟弟不會給你們添麻煩的，但你們也不要給他添麻煩，兄弟要和睦相處。」
親電病人核實善款
面對內地一些慈善基金的款項也會落入貪官手裏，他會如何管理基金會的款項呢﹖「我很重視管理，我們現在做的消除白內障手術、為殘疾人安裝義肢或20家在中國 大陸免費為晚期腫瘤病人服務的寧養事業所有病人資料，均以電腦記錄，我隨時都能拿起電話打到病人的家中核實情，有嚴謹的監管流程，在公益項目中挪用專款 的行為令人齒冷，犯法的人更應予以重罰。」
最後他又暢談了自己的人生追求。他說﹕「我有時覺得我自己的性格絕對不是一個最適宜從商的人，我討厭應酬，不喜歡拉關係，又容易動感情，這都是做生意的弱點。
討厭應酬拉關係謙稱不宜從商
但我也有幾個強項，一是求知，追求最新的知識﹔二是努力工作，這可以彌補不足，最重要的是有是非分明的心。」
「我更追求節約，一般來說，節約的人會有更多的時間。這種心理非但沒有影響我的事業，還幫助我將上市公司做到最好的效率、最好的效果、給股東最好的回報。我可以大膽的說一句，我的商業發展現在是一生中最佳的時期。」
「現在我非常專注發展另外一個事業，就是基金會所做的教育、醫療及對有需要扶助的人的幫助，我非常樂意去做，而且希望在這一生能夠多做些這樣的事，因為我知道有系統的公益事業發展是無止境的，即使我日後不再在這個世界上，基金會的發展亦一樣可以永久持續和做得更多。」
One Month After (Part II)
South Asia Grieves One Month After Tsunami
Amid the grieving, there was growing impatience with the sluggish progress of recovery. And leading British charity Oxfam said Wednesday that too many aid organizations without adequate skills are complicating the work.
Oxfam, in a new report on tsunami relief efforts, gave examples of how inexperienced aid organizations were hampering relief efforts.
In Sri Lanka, Oxfam said, some new houses were built too close together, leading to potential sanitation problems.
The aid group also said governments have contributed only half the $977 million emergency aid requested by the United Nations (news - web sites) even though they pledged $912 million.
All told, governments and international bodies have pledged about $4 billion for tsunami aid and reconstruction.
One Month After
From Yahoo! News
2 hours, 18 minutes ago (extracts only)
In Indonesia, where at least 96,000 died, there were no government or religious events to mark the day. Instead, officials said a proper remembrance was to send children back to school for the first official day of class since the tragedy.
Many students in ravaged Aceh province, however, returned to find their schools filled with mud and debris, with books, computers and other materials strewn everywhere. And many of their friends and teachers were gone forever.
Alqausar, a 6-year-old boy with neatly parted hair and a Power Rangers bag, arrived at school with his mother and wondered about his best friend, Andi. After about two hours of glancing repeatedly at the school gate, it hit him.
"I don't think he's coming," he whispered.
Only six of his class of 43 showed up. Out of the 600 enrolled at SD Kartika primary school, just 260 returned Wednesday. The rest are presumed dead.
At another school, English teacher Roslina Ramli — who lost four children to the tsunami — was one of 25 teachers who came to school. Before the tsunami the faculty was 75 strong.
"I have to put on a brave face," said Roslina. "Teachers are supposed to give the students strength and guidance but it will be hard."
In one classroom, workers doing a last-minute clean up found a body Wednesday while shoveling out thick mud.
The government estimates that 700 to 1,100 schools in the province were destroyed and 1,750 primary school teachers were dead or missing. Nearly 180,000 students have no schools to go to, Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab said.
One month on, the full death toll from the massive earthquake and the tsunami it spawned is still unknown — and probably never will be. Workers still discover bodies daily, and many more victims were washed out to sea.
Differing government tallies in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the two hardest hit countries, have put the total number of dead in 11 countries between 144,000 and 178,000. As many as 147,000 people are missing — many of them presumed dead — raising the possibility that more than 300,000 died...
2 hours, 18 minutes ago (extracts only)
South Asia Grieves One Month After Tsunami
By TINI TRAN, Associated Press Writer
In Indonesia, where at least 96,000 died, there were no government or religious events to mark the day. Instead, officials said a proper remembrance was to send children back to school for the first official day of class since the tragedy.
Many students in ravaged Aceh province, however, returned to find their schools filled with mud and debris, with books, computers and other materials strewn everywhere. And many of their friends and teachers were gone forever.
Alqausar, a 6-year-old boy with neatly parted hair and a Power Rangers bag, arrived at school with his mother and wondered about his best friend, Andi. After about two hours of glancing repeatedly at the school gate, it hit him.
"I don't think he's coming," he whispered.
Only six of his class of 43 showed up. Out of the 600 enrolled at SD Kartika primary school, just 260 returned Wednesday. The rest are presumed dead.
At another school, English teacher Roslina Ramli — who lost four children to the tsunami — was one of 25 teachers who came to school. Before the tsunami the faculty was 75 strong.
"I have to put on a brave face," said Roslina. "Teachers are supposed to give the students strength and guidance but it will be hard."
In one classroom, workers doing a last-minute clean up found a body Wednesday while shoveling out thick mud.
The government estimates that 700 to 1,100 schools in the province were destroyed and 1,750 primary school teachers were dead or missing. Nearly 180,000 students have no schools to go to, Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab said.
One month on, the full death toll from the massive earthquake and the tsunami it spawned is still unknown — and probably never will be. Workers still discover bodies daily, and many more victims were washed out to sea.
Differing government tallies in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the two hardest hit countries, have put the total number of dead in 11 countries between 144,000 and 178,000. As many as 147,000 people are missing — many of them presumed dead — raising the possibility that more than 300,000 died...
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Produce Green Foundation 綠田園基金
各位朋友：
綠田園基金在未來的三個月將會舉辦很多不同類型的活動，詳情請參考的單張。以下是一些簡介：
免費見學日2005
日期： 2005年2月26日（星期六）
內容：
簡介本會各項團體活動的內容和宗旨，包括農村玩藝活動、有機耕種系列、健康飲食系列、小寶寶系列、綠色手工藝系列、生態漫遊系列、校園及社區園圃系列以至實用課程。
時間： 第一節（上午10:00至下午12:30） 或 第二節（下午2:00至4:30）可任選一節
適合： 學校、社團、機構負責人
綠色美食在社區
活動一：綠色美食嘉年華 2005年4月2日(六) 或4月9日(六)
活動二：綠色美食在社區展覽 2005年3月至5月期間
活動三：食物里程講座 2005年3月至5月期間
活動四：有機種植課 (可選擇參與與否) 2005年3月至5月期間
沙螺洞鳳園生態漫遊
日期： 2005年3月13日（星期日）
路線： 由粉嶺綠田園基金有機農場出發，經鶴藪及流水響水塘，入沙螺洞，再落鳳園。全長8公里，約需4-5小時走畢全程。
適合： 任何人士、一家大小及學生均可
時間： 約上午9時至下午5時
謝謝你的參考。
綠田園基金
發展組
綠田園基金在未來的三個月將會舉辦很多不同類型的活動，詳情請參考的單張。以下是一些簡介：
免費見學日2005
日期： 2005年2月26日（星期六）
內容：
簡介本會各項團體活動的內容和宗旨，包括農村玩藝活動、有機耕種系列、健康飲食系列、小寶寶系列、綠色手工藝系列、生態漫遊系列、校園及社區園圃系列以至實用課程。
時間： 第一節（上午10:00至下午12:30） 或 第二節（下午2:00至4:30）可任選一節
適合： 學校、社團、機構負責人
綠色美食在社區
活動一：綠色美食嘉年華 2005年4月2日(六) 或4月9日(六)
活動二：綠色美食在社區展覽 2005年3月至5月期間
活動三：食物里程講座 2005年3月至5月期間
活動四：有機種植課 (可選擇參與與否) 2005年3月至5月期間
沙螺洞鳳園生態漫遊
日期： 2005年3月13日（星期日）
路線： 由粉嶺綠田園基金有機農場出發，經鶴藪及流水響水塘，入沙螺洞，再落鳳園。全長8公里，約需4-5小時走畢全程。
適合： 任何人士、一家大小及學生均可
時間： 約上午9時至下午5時
謝謝你的參考。
綠田園基金
發展組
Friday, January 21, 2005
楊震事件Update
工會召集
迫上「梁山」大集會
日期：2005年1月24日(星期一)
時間：晚上7時至9時
地點：總部G02~03室
目的：
(一) 抗議機構專權文化，反對在毫無諮詢下肆意改組服務，漠視員工及服務受眾的意見，並以不公義程序解僱現行員工。
(二) 組織及發動抗議行動
是晚邀請立法局議員張超雄博士，香港社會工作者總工會會長張國柱先生及關注事件的外界人士參與。
請同事出席，顯示我們的力量！力量！力量！力量！力量！......
迫上「梁山」大集會
日期：2005年1月24日(星期一)
時間：晚上7時至9時
地點：總部G02~03室
目的：
(一) 抗議機構專權文化，反對在毫無諮詢下肆意改組服務，漠視員工及服務受眾的意見，並以不公義程序解僱現行員工。
(二) 組織及發動抗議行動
是晚邀請立法局議員張超雄博士，香港社會工作者總工會會長張國柱先生及關注事件的外界人士參與。
請同事出席，顯示我們的力量！力量！力量！力量！力量！......
Thursday, January 20, 2005
香港老年痴呆症協會
Sadly my mother-in-law has developed Alzheimer's Disease and we need to take extra care of her since the past year. We hope to try out the services offered by the day activity centre of the Hong Kong Alzheimer's Disease Association (香港老年痴呆症協會), but the problem is that my mother-in-law simply refuses to go there. We'll try again tomorrow and see what's her reaction. Unfortunately I'm not available to help...
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
11th Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference
11th Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference
NCVO and VSSN
University of Warwick
31st August and 1st September 2005
Last chance to submit your proposals: Friday 4th March.
The NCVO/VSSN Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference is a unique meeting place for both researchers and users of research to discuss current research, its implications and the need for further research in the voluntary and community sector.
Call for papers
The 11th conference will be held at the University of Warwick on 31st August and 1st September 2005 and we are now inviting paper and session proposals. We invite proposals on all areas of relevance to the voluntary sector, but would particularly welcome proposals on topics of current policy interest.
Topics might include:
How to submit your proposal
* Abstracts of 400-600 words, for single papers or whole sessions should be sent to us at research@ncvo-vol.org.uk no later than Friday 4th March 2005.
* Authors will be notified of acceptance of their submissions by Friday 8th April 2005.
* Successful authors will need to submit papers of between 2000 and 2500 words (where relevant) by Friday 24th June 2005.
New researchers' session
Like last year, we will be running a special session for "new" researchers in conjunction with our colleagues at the Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR). The session is aimed at those who are relatively new to the field of voluntary sector research and is an opportunity to meet, discuss research and share ideas. If you would like to deliver a short presentation at this session either on a research topic, a methodological approach, or your experiences of carrying out research, please send a 200-400 word abstract to Angela Ellis at IVR (angela.ellis@volunteeringengland.org) by Friday 27th May 2005. You can attend the session either as part of the main conference, or you can come along to just this session free of charge.
Further information
If you have any questions, or would like to know more about the conference, please email us at research@ncvo-vol.org.uk.
NCVO and VSSN
University of Warwick
31st August and 1st September 2005
Last chance to submit your proposals: Friday 4th March.
The NCVO/VSSN Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference is a unique meeting place for both researchers and users of research to discuss current research, its implications and the need for further research in the voluntary and community sector.
Call for papers
The 11th conference will be held at the University of Warwick on 31st August and 1st September 2005 and we are now inviting paper and session proposals. We invite proposals on all areas of relevance to the voluntary sector, but would particularly welcome proposals on topics of current policy interest.
Topics might include:
- Philanthropy & Giving, including: donor motivation; measurement issues; funding issues; international comparison.
- VCS/State Relations, including: independence; the role of the VCS in public service delivery; government funding of the VCS; new localism and its implications; compacts.
- VCS Infrastructure & management, including: contracting and procurement; performance and outcome measurement; workforce and skills; VCOs use of ICT; ChangeUp & capacity building; volunteer management.
- Civil renewal & active citizenship, including: the role of faith and BME groups in building communities; role of VCOs in building participation; non-governmental public action.
- Public Policy, including: accountability and transparency; gender issues; charity law reform
How to submit your proposal
* Abstracts of 400-600 words, for single papers or whole sessions should be sent to us at research@ncvo-vol.org.uk
* Authors will be notified of acceptance of their submissions by Friday 8th April 2005.
* Successful authors will need to submit papers of between 2000 and 2500 words (where relevant) by Friday 24th June 2005.
New researchers' session
Like last year, we will be running a special session for "new" researchers in conjunction with our colleagues at the Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR). The session is aimed at those who are relatively new to the field of voluntary sector research and is an opportunity to meet, discuss research and share ideas. If you would like to deliver a short presentation at this session either on a research topic, a methodological approach, or your experiences of carrying out research, please send a 200-400 word abstract to Angela Ellis at IVR (angela.ellis@volunteeringengland.org
Further information
If you have any questions, or would like to know more about the conference, please email us at research@ncvo-vol.org.uk
An Appeal from Rehab Power
Dear Friends,
I am writing to seek your kind support to our 'Sharing 28' - a event aiming at sharing with the public the positive stories of the persons with disabilities in Hong Kong.
Rehab Power was set up in 1995 by 9 young professional with physical disability who have dedicated years to the promotion of welfare for disabled persons in the Hong Kong Community. Our slogan is "To empower the disabled to develop" and our mission is "To support people with a disability to access training and open employment opportunities". We have established the fist Career Development Centre for People with Disabilities in Shaukiwan in 1997. In the last 7 difficult years, we have trained around 100 people with disabilities (physical disability, mental illness,etc.) each year and around 70% of them are finally open employed and make contribution to the community. Indeed, most of them are with low education background (Form 1 to Form 5) and aged over 40, but they refuse to live under Comprehensive Assistance and after our training, they work hard to earn their own livings (with a monthly salary between $3,000 to $10,000).
In order to share with the public the hardship/efforts/achievement of these outstanding people with disabilities, we will run a great project - 'Sharing 28' from 14:00 p.m. of 22-01-2005 to 18:00 p.m. of 23-01-2005. I should be grateful if you could help to promote this meaningful event by sending the attached self-explanatory Sharing 28 Promotional Letter to your friends and colleagues through e-mail so that they and their friends/relatives could join this meaningful event which is also full of fun and free of entrance fee. Please also request them to widely distribute this Promotional Letter so that more people can come to share with the outstanding persons with disabilities - it's inspiring.
Thank you for your kind support! Please come with your family this Weekend/Sunday to join this great event.
Leo
Leo C.W. Lam
President of Rehab Power
I am writing to seek your kind support to our 'Sharing 28' - a event aiming at sharing with the public the positive stories of the persons with disabilities in Hong Kong.
Rehab Power was set up in 1995 by 9 young professional with physical disability who have dedicated years to the promotion of welfare for disabled persons in the Hong Kong Community. Our slogan is "To empower the disabled to develop" and our mission is "To support people with a disability to access training and open employment opportunities". We have established the fist Career Development Centre for People with Disabilities in Shaukiwan in 1997. In the last 7 difficult years, we have trained around 100 people with disabilities (physical disability, mental illness,etc.) each year and around 70% of them are finally open employed and make contribution to the community. Indeed, most of them are with low education background (Form 1 to Form 5) and aged over 40, but they refuse to live under Comprehensive Assistance and after our training, they work hard to earn their own livings (with a monthly salary between $3,000 to $10,000).
In order to share with the public the hardship/efforts/achievement of these outstanding people with disabilities, we will run a great project - 'Sharing 28' from 14:00 p.m. of 22-01-2005 to 18:00 p.m. of 23-01-2005. I should be grateful if you could help to promote this meaningful event by sending the attached self-explanatory Sharing 28 Promotional Letter to your friends and colleagues through e-mail so that they and their friends/relatives could join this meaningful event which is also full of fun and free of entrance fee. Please also request them to widely distribute this Promotional Letter so that more people can come to share with the outstanding persons with disabilities - it's inspiring.
Thank you for your kind support! Please come with your family this Weekend/Sunday to join this great event.
Leo
Leo C.W. Lam
President of Rehab Power
Saturday, January 15, 2005
HFH Two-Year Plan to Rebuild Homes for Tsunami Survivors
Can Hong Kong raise a small portion of the US$25 million of the HFH project? HFH-HK now targets HK$10 million...
I am pleased to support Habitat For Humanity in raising funds to rebuild homes for the survivors of Asian Tsunami Disaster.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing organisation seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, Habitat for Humanity is building a house every 26 minutes. By 2005, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people.
TSUNAMI DISPLACES 5 MILLION SURVIVORS
As many as five million people are displaced and in need of basic services as a result of the tsunami-earthquake catastrophe that struck in Southeast Asia December 26th, 2004. Habitat for Humanity will work with victims of the tsunami in India, Sri Lanka , Indonesia and Thailand. There is an urgent need at this time is to move as many families out of relief camps (media reports of overcrowding, civil unrest, gang rapes and child trafficking in these camps are very well known by now).
PHASE I
Based on assessment by staff on the ground, the immediate priority is to help families move out of the overcrowded, diseased and crime-infested camps and other temporary shelters and into transitional housing. Habitat for Humanity has responded to this urgent need is to help 25,000 families, moving more then 100,000 people out of the refugee camps to transitional housing.
PHASE II
Over time, Habitat for Humanity will begin working with families in transitional housing to build more permanent structures with additional rooms through Habitat "Save & Build" programme which will empower homeowners with dignity and skills.
APPEAL FOR FUNDING
Habitat for Humanity estimates it will cost approximately US$25 million to provide the 25,000 transitional houses over 2 years. To date, donations submitted through the HFHI website total US$1.4 million and donors within the Tsunami hit countries have pledged about US$1.9 million.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Mozilla「火狐」 Firefox
微軟IE霸主地位受威脅[16:16]
2005/01/14
商業周刊指出，開放原始碼瀏覽器「火狐」 Firefox 市佔率愈來愈高，將挑戰微軟的IE。
報道引述WebSideStory Inc.報告指出，「火狐」是由非營利團體Mozilla推出，可以免費下載，「火狐」過去六個月的市場佔有率攀升至4.6%，預料可望達到 10% 目標。
反觀，微軟Internet Explorer在同一時期的市佔有率則跌至91%，創下三年來最低水準。
報道說，非微軟瀏覽器的市場佔有率如果持續攀升，各網站將被迫使用開放網路標準設計其網站，如此一來，將削減微軟的獨佔地位，而其他網路軟體銷售商也可望受惠。
See earlier post: Firefox「還網於民」快閃行動
Beatles' Strawberry Field and the Salvation Army
Find this news item from another blog -
當草莓田不再的時候...
Never thought that the "deinstitutionalization movement" (and the preference of foster care service over institution-based services) would somehow relate to the Beatles' song.
In Hong Kong, children's homes like St. Christopher's Home has long turned into private housing properties (鹿茵山莊) and made lots of $$$ (by Cheung Kong and the Anglican Church??)... So don't think the present day St. Christopher's Home is really a physical building/home; nowadays its main service model is called Small Group Homes which are scattered in various public housing estates.
Hope the UK Salvation Army would decide to keep Strawberry Field and use it for some meaningful purposes instead of turning it into a redevelopment project...
Service Description
Residential child care services are provided for children and young persons under the age of 21 who cannot be adequately cared for by their families because of various reasons such as behaviour, emotional or relationship problems, or family crises arising from illness, death and desertion.
Types of Services
Non-institutional Care includes:
當草莓田不再的時候...
Never thought that the "deinstitutionalization movement" (and the preference of foster care service over institution-based services) would somehow relate to the Beatles' song.
In Hong Kong, children's homes like St. Christopher's Home has long turned into private housing properties (鹿茵山莊) and made lots of $$$ (by Cheung Kong and the Anglican Church??)... So don't think the present day St. Christopher's Home is really a physical building/home; nowadays its main service model is called Small Group Homes which are scattered in various public housing estates.
Hope the UK Salvation Army would decide to keep Strawberry Field and use it for some meaningful purposes instead of turning it into a redevelopment project...
Residential Child Care Services in Hong Kong
Service Description
Residential child care services are provided for children and young persons under the age of 21 who cannot be adequately cared for by their families because of various reasons such as behaviour, emotional or relationship problems, or family crises arising from illness, death and desertion.
Types of Services
Non-institutional Care includes:
- Foster care -- for children under 18 years of age
- Emergency foster care - for children under 18 years of age
- Small group homes -- for children from 4 to 18 years of age
- Residential creches -- for babies under 2 years of age
- Residential nurseries -- for children aged from 2 to under 6
- Children's reception centres -- for children aged under 18 years of age
- Children's homes -- for children or young persons between 6 and under 21 years of age
- Boys'/girls' homes -- for children or young persons between 7 and under 21 years of age with behavioural or emotional problems. Schools for Social Development are run within some of these homes
- Boys'/girls' hostels -- for young persons between 14 and under 21 years of age who are studying or working
本土經濟 - 土生良品
A friend's recommendation -
" 聽說他們的有機果醬及有機柑桔都非常得，不妨一試。 "
土生良品指的是本地有機 農民、手作小戶、個人設計、社區組織或者非牟利團體的牟利製作，項目無所不包，最健康的有機麵包、蛋糕、糙米、米粉、蔬菜、黑醋豆等等吃的，和穿的、用的，新的、舊的衣服布袋器皿林林總總......總之是你在超級市場絕對見不到的土生良品﹗由於我們首間土生良品店在油麻地區架設社區經濟網絡，油麻地的街坊在本店購物，將會獲得特別優惠﹗
既是牟利的，就是賺錢的，小製作，錢也許賺得不多，但勝在重拾充滿自信的本土經濟。一個在麥當勞每小時賺十五元的女士，她做小點的手藝遠勝那部祇會煮滾油的炸薯條設備，小店土生良品是一個平台，讓擁有一己手藝的市民，重新掌握自己的生活。
重新掌握自己的生活，就是衣、食、住、行，不靠超人﹗我們踏實地生活、我們老實地經營，不搞一蚊一個西瓜，因為這樣祇會害了種西瓜的人、苦了賣西瓜的小販； 我們不搞此地市民不聽話，此地政府不俾面，我地就遷冊、我地就調走資金這些忘本的要脅，土生良品，自有香港人讚賞，生於斯，長於斯，活在當中，樂在其中。 或者今天我們不可以一次過重新掌握生活的資源，然而從穿衣、飲食等等生活細節著手，我們仍可以創造一個新的生活空間。
創造一個生活空間， 需要一點時間，需要集結共識，土生良品2005年1月試業，希望在新的一年，一面小本經營，自給自足，一面集結共識，廣結本土社區生產者製作的土生良品， 為期一個月，然後總結經驗，落實將來在每一個社區架設具有活力的社區經濟網絡，從而建立一個廣闊的本地經濟網絡，讓更多市民一起營造生活。
土生良品地址：九龍廟街149號D(與西貢街交界，即單眼佬涼茶對面，佐敦站出較近)
試業期：2005年1月9日至2月8日
" 聽說他們的有機果醬及有機柑桔都非常得，不妨一試。 "
土生良品是一間小店，專賣本地產品。
土生良品指的是本地有機 農民、手作小戶、個人設計、社區組織或者非牟利團體的牟利製作，項目無所不包，最健康的有機麵包、蛋糕、糙米、米粉、蔬菜、黑醋豆等等吃的，和穿的、用的，新的、舊的衣服布袋器皿林林總總......總之是你在超級市場絕對見不到的土生良品﹗由於我們首間土生良品店在油麻地區架設社區經濟網絡，油麻地的街坊在本店購物，將會獲得特別優惠﹗
既是牟利的，就是賺錢的，小製作，錢也許賺得不多，但勝在重拾充滿自信的本土經濟。一個在麥當勞每小時賺十五元的女士，她做小點的手藝遠勝那部祇會煮滾油的炸薯條設備，小店土生良品是一個平台，讓擁有一己手藝的市民，重新掌握自己的生活。
重新掌握自己的生活，就是衣、食、住、行，不靠超人﹗我們踏實地生活、我們老實地經營，不搞一蚊一個西瓜，因為這樣祇會害了種西瓜的人、苦了賣西瓜的小販； 我們不搞此地市民不聽話，此地政府不俾面，我地就遷冊、我地就調走資金這些忘本的要脅，土生良品，自有香港人讚賞，生於斯，長於斯，活在當中，樂在其中。 或者今天我們不可以一次過重新掌握生活的資源，然而從穿衣、飲食等等生活細節著手，我們仍可以創造一個新的生活空間。
創造一個生活空間， 需要一點時間，需要集結共識，土生良品2005年1月試業，希望在新的一年，一面小本經營，自給自足，一面集結共識，廣結本土社區生產者製作的土生良品， 為期一個月，然後總結經驗，落實將來在每一個社區架設具有活力的社區經濟網絡，從而建立一個廣闊的本地經濟網絡，讓更多市民一起營造生活。
土生良品地址：九龍廟街149號D(與西貢街交界，即單眼佬涼茶對面，佐敦站出較近)
試業期：2005年1月9日至2月8日
Thursday, January 13, 2005
二億扶弱基金月底可申請
二億扶弱基金月底可申請
【明報專訊】當局設立的2億元攜手扶弱基金，亦會在本月底開始接受申請，政府消息人士稱，此基金會以「配對」形式撥款。港大社會工作及社會行政系教授周永新認為，若每年投放2億能令不同的弱勢社群得到益處，效果算是不錯，但他亦指出，報告內的措施，距離很多團體的要求「很遠」。
New Issue of "Democracy & Society"
Georgetown University's Center for Democracy and the Third Sector (CDATS) announces its new issue of "Democracy & Society," a venue for the exchange of ideas about crucial issues relating to democracy and the third sector.
The new issue focuses on the commercialization of political life and the transformation of representation, featuring articles and excerpts by Jane Mansbridge (Harvard), Lizabeth Cohen (Harvard), Ronald Rogowski (UCLA), Dario Castiglione (CDATS Visiting Fellow), Mark Warren (Georgetown), and others.
Please download the PDF here.
The new issue focuses on the commercialization of political life and the transformation of representation, featuring articles and excerpts by Jane Mansbridge (Harvard), Lizabeth Cohen (Harvard), Ronald Rogowski (UCLA), Dario Castiglione (CDATS Visiting Fellow), Mark Warren (Georgetown), and others.
Please download the PDF here.
Habitat for Humanity - Tsunami Response
Habitat for Humanity's Tsunami Response
Habitat for Humanity has announced a two-year plan to rebuild homes for up to 25,000 families in a first phase reconstruction efforts in the tsunami-affected countries of India, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The 2-year plan will require a commitment of US$25 million over the next two years. Your donations are urgently needed. Habitat for Humanity Singapore would like to seek your support in helping the tsunami victims move out of the overcrowded, diseased and crime-infested camps and other temporary shelters into transitional housing.
What you can do for reconstruction work:
1. Make a cheque donation to "Habitat for Humanity Singapore" to support the 2-year reconstruction efforts. Please indicate 'Tsunami Reconstruction Fund' at the back of the cheque.
All cheques can be sent to:
Habitat for Humanity Singapore
12 Prince Edward Road
#04-12 Podium B
Bestway Building
Singapore 079212
2. We will be sending out more updates in future emails on volunteering opportunities in the Tsunami affected areas. If you are not currently in our database and would like to receive the updates, please sign up at www.habitat.org.sg
For enquiries, please call Tel: 6224 1882
Habitat for Humanity has announced a two-year plan to rebuild homes for up to 25,000 families in a first phase reconstruction efforts in the tsunami-affected countries of India, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The 2-year plan will require a commitment of US$25 million over the next two years. Your donations are urgently needed. Habitat for Humanity Singapore would like to seek your support in helping the tsunami victims move out of the overcrowded, diseased and crime-infested camps and other temporary shelters into transitional housing.
What you can do for reconstruction work:
1. Make a cheque donation to "Habitat for Humanity Singapore" to support the 2-year reconstruction efforts. Please indicate 'Tsunami Reconstruction Fund' at the back of the cheque.
All cheques can be sent to:
Habitat for Humanity Singapore
12 Prince Edward Road
#04-12 Podium B
Bestway Building
Singapore 079212
2. We will be sending out more updates in future emails on volunteering opportunities in the Tsunami affected areas. If you are not currently in our database and would like to receive the updates, please sign up at www.habitat.org.sg
For enquiries, please call Tel: 6224 1882
Dear Terence Yuen
Phuket Tsunami - Living to Tell the Tale (by Lau Kai Ming)
It went as fast as it came, and it hit as silent and quick as a spider. Moments ago, I had scrambled to the second storey of the beach-front villa, dragging along my belongings in one hand and my sister in the other, with my parents and my other sister following behind. We had narrowly escaped the rapidly rising water level that pummeled through everything in its way that wasn’t as strong as it was. As the murky water receded, it revealed upturned soil, uprooted plants and parts of bridges, huts and even a suit case. The serene and tranquil hotel resort had been transformed into an un-kept abandoned construction site. I didn’t dare imagine the level of destruction on the rest of Phuket.
When we had safely landed in Changi Airport on the same evening, it hit me - I was there and I survived to tell the tale of fearsome tsunami that struck half a dozen countries in the Bay of Bengal. Thousands and thousands of others didn’t. Millions more have lost sons, daughters, cousins, and best friends. Entire villages reduced to rubble, and homes swept away. People are left without fresh water to drink, and in need of shelter to sleep, and to live in.
From my experiences building houses in Batam and Kuching with Habitat for Humanity, I know that the simple yet obscure act of total strangers building homes for those in need of one can be a powerful demonstration of pure kindness. In this case, the victims of the tsunami that hit on Boxing Day 2004 are in need to basic shelter, and Habitat’s raison d’etre is to build homes for those who need a decent one. It couldn’t be anymore relevant. Your help and support is needed to build houses for those who have lost theirs. It never too late.
Build a Home. Build Hope.
"If it ought to be, it's gotta start with me." - anonymous
Kai Ming is a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity who has been on a building trips to Kuching and Batam. Currently helping the Habitat Singapore office with adminstrative work pertaining to the Tsunami Reconstruction efforts.
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