Sriphong Phukaoluan Foundation
Case Study
Robon Liden
Robon Liden, age 40, is the mother of seven children, ranging in age from 3 years to 17 years. The four boys and three girls lost their father to the tsunami on Phi Phi Island where he was working as a long tail boat driver. The family returned to Jum Island, a small undeveloped island where they live in a small, simple wooden home by the sea without electricity. The two eldest children attend school on the mainland, while the five youngest go to school on the island.
Their living standards are primitive by most western standards, but their simple home is clean and well kept. The children are well looked after by their mother, all are well groomed and well behaved. Their school reports are all good and their attendance excellent. But Mrs. Liden initially struggled to support her family by selling fertilizer, and her income was insufficient to feed her children.. Because of the isolation of the island from the mainland, economic opportunities are limited
In July of 2005, the family was admitted to the Foundation Tsunami Child Sponsorship Program. Beds, mattresses, mosquito nets and household items were purchased for the family home. Each child received school uniforms, clothes, shoes and bedding materials and a monthly cash benefit. It was determined that the Foundation should also supply a special monthly food supplement of rice for the family. Since then, Mrs. Liden has been extremely active in the Foundation activities, traveling long distances with her family to participate and volunteer her services as well
In 2006, the Foundation funded a training program where Mrs. Liden attended the Serm Siam Beauty School where she successfully completed the program and received her certificate to cut hair. In conjunction with the Asia Foundation, a small shop was rented in the village near the schools so Mrs. Liden could start her new business and earn income to support her family.
While her life has been a struggle, and her loss immense, Mrs. Liden shows an unrelenting drive to rebuild her life. As she most recently noted, "I don't know how I would have survived without Khun Chuan Phukaoluan and the Foundation. They have helped me make a new start. I thank them every day."
The Sriphong Phukaoluan Foundation is proud to have been able to help the Liden family re-establish itself as useful productive members of society. This is the goal the Foundation seeks for all its children and families- to become useful members of the Krabi community living together in harmony.
|
