Letter from the President - 2010
During 2010, The Foundation continued its support of 84 children who remain in the Tsunami Child Sponsorship Program, as well as providing for other support programs for those in need. Throughout the year, the Foundation distributed clothes it had collected from numerous donors in Krabi. Working with the Red Cross, we handed out clothes to the needy in 12 different villages and schools on Lanta Island, Klong Muang, Nuea Klong, Khao Phanom and Ao Luek.
We also held our popular 2 day Foundation Camps for the children, which included learning courses, Scout activities and a field trip. A trip to Phuket gave the children the experience of visiting an aquarium where they learned about marine ecosystems and preservation of the environment. A trip to the Phuket Museum highlighted the history of this region and the industries of tin, rubber and farming that helped this area develop.
In November, Thailand experienced some of its worst flooding in 100 years with the loss of many lives. The Foundation was set up as a relief center where volunteers gathered donations and purchased food, water and medical kits to distribute to those areas most hard hit. The foreign ex-patriot community provided exceptional support, and two large convoys of trucks loaded with supplies were sent out. The first truck proceeded to Nakorn Sri Thammarat to hand out supplies to those villages that had not yet received aid. The other group of trucks proceeded to Phattalung Province where many districts had been cut off by the floods. We want to thank all the volunteers who donated their time to package the aid and distribute it to those families. In addition, a large box of blankets and warm clothes were shipped to Ubon Ratchathani Province as the weather had turned cold and many families there had lost all their possessions to the floods.
Our financial condition remains sound, even in the light of global financial instability and declining donations. Our donations for 2010 were 1,974,701 baht, a decline of 46%, while operating expenses remained relatively unchanged at 1,859,375 baht, an increase of 2%. Our year end bank balance for the Tsunami Child Sponsorship Program was 8,724,255, a 2% decrease from the year end on 2009. We have already taken steps to reduce our costs and staffing levels to insure our financial condition remains strong.
We want to thank all our sponsors, near and far, who have continued to support the children and our activities. We also would like to express our appreciation to the many volunteers who give their time, energy and knowledge to the Foundation and make it the success it is today.
With best regards
Chuan Phukaoluan
President
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