Rotary Club of Patong Beach Tsunami Relief Trip Report

Project Name: Khun Wasana Family Support and House Rebuilding

Project Start Date: 19 March 2005

Background: Khun Somsak was a Thai Muslim reef fisherman in the Hin Lad, Kuraburi area and was out fishing during the morning of December 26^th and subsequently never returned home. He was reported missing and his body was identified some 4 months later at which time he was declared another victim of the December 26^th Tsunami. He left behind his wife, Khun Wasana (Tim) Langthong age 32, and their four children, Krissada (boy 8 years old), Kannika (girl 6 ½ years old), Kriangkai (boy 5 years old), and Kasama (girl 2 years old).

This family was first visited by Rotarians Brad Kenny and Larry Amsden on 19 March 2005 after hearing of their plight. They had received some money from the government for the father’s loss of life and had been promised monthly support and a new home by various NGO’s, none of which returned to assist them.

Although their home was not damaged by the Tsunami, it was being repaired by the father and with the loss of him, repairs had stopped and the home was in extremely bad shape with floor boards broken in many places and the roof leaking profusely. Another problem was that the youngest boy, Kriangkai had a disability affecting only his lower limbs and never had walked. Upon the first interview by Rotarian Brad Kenny, it was learnt that he had been born 2 months premature in their dirt floor home without any medical attention being given. He subsequently grew up and his family assumed he would never walk, and no medical evaluation above a country clinic had ever been sought.

Khun Wasana with children at family home 19 Mar 20005	Kriangkai can stand only with walker

Rotarian Brad Kenny recommended to the Rotary Club of Patong Beach to assist is several ways:

1. Basic subsistence family support of Baht 5,000 per month for 8 months and then a re-evaluation of their situation.
2. To bring the boy Kriangkai to Phuket International hospital for proper medical evaluation by their Pediatric Neurosurgeon and Therapists with follow up as needed by recommendations from the doctors.
3. To build a new house for them using our Rotary Corps Villagers at Baan Pak Triam for labor with the Rotary Club paying for construction materials.
4. Long Term Scholarship for all four children to graduation from High School.

The Rotary Club of Patong Beach agreed as to the above items as follows:

1. Granted, 5,000 Baht per month family subsistence for 8 months with re-evaluation. (Baht 40,000)
2. Granted, 20,000 Baht for immediate medical evaluation at Phuket International Hospital for Kriangkai, supplemented as needed and by board decision. (Baht 20,000)
3. Granted, Baht 80,000 for house building materials if our Rotary Corps Village agreed to supply labor at no charge. (Baht 80,000)
4. Agreed and appropriate funds to be put aside according to Rotary Club of Patong Beach long term scholarship protocol. (Baht 472,000)

Total: Baht: 612,000 / US $ 14,571

Project Updates:

1. Four months of the family support (Baht 5,000 per month) has been given, additional consulting and advice on proper nutrition also given to the mother, Khun Wasana.

2. The Mother and her son Kriangkai were invited to Phuket for initial hospital evaluation by Dr. Nokporn a Pediatric Neurosurgeon at Phuket International Hospital, staying over for a few days at Rotarian Brad’s house. The initial evaluation was that the boy had Cerebral Palsy due to his pre-mature birth and not being given oxygen and that part of his brain (that controls his lower limbs) suffering permanent damage. However, all other body and mental functions are normal and the doctor referred to Kriangkai as “Forest Gump” stating that with proper therapy, nutrition, and medical follow up he could learn to walk and function as Forest Gump did. He prescribed a month of intensive Therapy for the boy at the hospital and training for the mother to continue the Therapy at home for 2 hours per day, with monthly check-ups and evaluation and Therapy training at the Phuket International hospital.

Nutrition was also discussed and the need to build up the boy’s body weight and muscles mass. When the doctor asked if she gave him milk she stated that was out of her means due to the high cost and it spoiling so quickly. From this we learnt she did not have any refrigerator and so one was supplied by the RCPB. She was also given a CD to follow for the Therapy at

home and of course she didn’t have any CD played or Television, so a CD player was purchased from RCPB funds and a TV was donated by Rotarian Brad. Several therapy aids were also purchased and or constructed (thanks to Ant Construction Mr. Andy March) at no cost.

The month long intensive Therapy was started in April with Wasana and Kriangkai staying at Rotarian Brad’s house and transportation and assistance by Brad and other RCPB Rotarians and Rotary Ann’s.

They have since returned every month staying overnight for the follow up therapy and training and all is going well. At this date the boy has made remarkable progress, he has gained 2 kilos of body weight, and he now can walk on his own for up to 10 meters. The mother and families attitude has changed drastically, for they assumed he would never walk and now they see that he will. He is now planning on attending school for the first time next school year.

3. Our Rotary Corps Village, Baan Pak Triam has agreed to provide labor to build Wasana’s family house at no cost and the building materials were put on order. Delivery was delayed by over a month due to the high demand of building materials through out the Tsunami areas of Thailand. The building materials were finally delivered near the end of July and construction will begin. The monsoon season will further delay completion, however, we hope for a completion date by the end of September.

4. The first year scholarship money has been delivered to Wasana.

Therapy at Phuket International	Hose Building materials delivered	Kriangkai Walking on his own

Additional Information:

Krissada (boy 8 years old)

Kannika (girl 6 ½ years old)

Kriangkai (boy 5 years old)

Kasama (girl 2 years old)

Address: 29/7 Moo 3, Amphur Kuraburi, Phang-Nga

Contact Telephone: (Wasana Sister) 04-8385251

School Name: Baan Hinrad School, about 1 kilometer from house.