Untitled Document

AIMS To check the progress of:-

a.

The Hi Phi Phi house building program (PSA sent funds for 10 new houses in Obtober after our first trip)

b.

Andrew Hewett's Tsunami Dive Camp (PSA sent funds for Andrew's new compressor in October).

c.

The Tsunami Memorial Park on Ao Loh Dalum beach (PSA sent funds for a plague for Piers)

d.

The Millie and Tia Sunflower Nursery in Krabi (PSA sent funds for the running cost for 2006)
We also hoped to meet founder Alana McGovern and hopefully to visit the school and discuss Alana's wish to build a nursery on Phi Phi.

e.

Also to discuss new PSA schemes

f.

Also to visit Luke near Chiang Mai for his PSA fund raising marathon at Prem Tinsulanonda International School.

This trip we stayed at Phi Phi Natural Resort in the north of Phi Phi. This area was virtually unaffected by the Tsunami and we can recommend it whole heartedly. It is a 30 minute longtail boat trip to the main town at Ton Sai. The BBC at Bristol lent us a Sony video camera to make a video diary of the trip.

a.

We met Clare from Hiphiphi who showed us some of the new houses being built. There are problems with electricity supplies and at Chong Khoo we met a local builder called Bang Bao who has been promised a donation of 70,000 Baht (1000 Pounds) for a secondhand generator. If the donation is not forthcoming PSA could step in. Bang Bao says he will share the generator with the builders who are working on the nearby hospital which still requires much work.

b.

Andrew confirmed that phase 1 of the clear up is completed. He is now focusing on the vital marine ecology and good under water practice in his dive camp teachings. Some of our friends have dived recently with Andrew and Luke is taking 46 students in February. www.phi-phi-adventures.com. Clare now runs www.blueviewdivers.com

Andrew discussed others schemes lacking on Phi Phi

1.

Coastal Rescue -- 11 locals have been recently trained. They have been donated a longtail boat BUT this is inadequate. They need a fast RIB boat and a full time team. As there is no National Funding for such a scheme it will have to be funded privately -- Andrew is investigating costs.

2.

Toursist Security -- There is just one volunteer, which is totally inadequate for such a busy island.

c.

We paid our second visit to the Tsunami Memorial Park which has matured amazingly since October. We do congratulate Carol and all her volunteers for such fantasic work.
Celia and Henry found the plague to Piers Thomas Simon in this beautiful Garden. Piers would have loved its beach-side location and "James Blunt" was playing in the nearby Ben's Sunflower Bar. --- perfect!

d.

At Ben's Sunflower Bar we met Alana McGovern. She is a very determined young lady and we congratulated her on establishing the Millie and Tia Nursery in Krabi for the evacuated Phi Phi children. Alana has a site to build a nursery on Phi Phi (right by Ben's Sunflower Bar and the newly constructed Tsunami Siren Tower) PSA hope to help her fund this new venture and help with the running costs.
We later went with Alana to Krabi on the mainland where she showed us the Millie and Tia Nursery. There were 3 classroom staff and a cook. The children (20-32) spend a very regulated day there, with lunch and a shower, and a sleep. The head teacher will move to Phi Phi to the new nursery.

Clair explained 2 possible PSA recipients.
(i) We met "Nang" coach of the Phi Phi Youth Football team which has been so successful recently. Their success has lifted morale on Phi Phi and has created much enthusiasm amongst islanders. The team (9-14 y/o) has been invited to take part in a competition in Vietnam. They are all desperate to go-- the trip has been costed.
(ii) Clare also knows Pee Wan who, with her friend used to bake "Brownies" to sell each morning to the many Dive Camps. Her friend died in the Tsunami and Pee Wan went away. She has now returned to Phi Phi working in a restaurant. She has no money to replace her baking equipment but wishes to resume her small business. Clare will find out more and PSA would love to help.

e.

We then flew to Chiang Mai to spend some time with Luke at the Prem Tinsulanonda International School. On Saturday 4th, February 2006 was the PSA fund raising marathon organized by Luke. It was a big day with 200 runners and walkers (many in relay teams) and our huge thanks to all those who helped especially Elizabeth who organized the hugely successful Draw. Henry conduced an Auction (a first ever in the local currency of Baht for a 5 day holiday home in Bali -- it made 85,000 Baht (about 1200 Pound).

All profits will go to the PDA (Population and COmmunity Development Association which supports Tsunami stricken rural communities in Southern Thailand) which has been supported by the PSA during 2005.

Luke has made arrangements to visit Sri Lanka in April. We have made contact with two organizations there who are desperate for housing schemes.

Henry Simon
12.02.2006


CELIA & HENRY'S SECOND VISIT TO KOH PHI PHI 20-25/2/06

AIMS To check the progress of:-
a.	The Hi Phi Phi house building program (PSA sent funds for 10 new houses in Obtober after our first trip)
b.	Andrew Hewett's Tsunami Dive Camp (PSA sent funds for Andrew's new compressor in October).
c.	The Tsunami Memorial Park on Ao Loh Dalum beach (PSA sent funds for a plague for Piers)
d.	The Millie and Tia Sunflower Nursery in Krabi (PSA sent funds for the running cost for 2006) We also hoped to meet founder Alana McGovern and hopefully to visit the school and discuss Alana's wish to build a nursery on Phi Phi.
e.	Also to discuss new PSA schemes
f.	Also to visit Luke near Chiang Mai for his PSA fund raising marathon at Prem Tinsulanonda International School.
This trip we stayed at Phi Phi Natural Resort in the north of Phi Phi. This area was virtually unaffected by the Tsunami and we can recommend it whole heartedly. It is a 30 minute longtail boat trip to the main town at Ton Sai. The BBC at Bristol lent us a Sony video camera to make a video diary of the trip.
a.	We met Clare from Hiphiphi who showed us some of the new houses being built. There are problems with electricity supplies and at Chong Khoo we met a local builder called Bang Bao who has been promised a donation of 70,000 Baht (1000 Pounds) for a secondhand generator. If the donation is not forthcoming PSA could step in. Bang Bao says he will share the generator with the builders who are working on the nearby hospital which still requires much work.
b.	Andrew confirmed that phase 1 of the clear up is completed. He is now focusing on the vital marine ecology and good under water practice in his dive camp teachings. Some of our friends have dived recently with Andrew and Luke is taking 46 students in February. www.phi-phi-adventures.com. Clare now runs www.blueviewdivers.com
Andrew discussed others schemes lacking on Phi Phi
1.	Coastal Rescue -- 11 locals have been recently trained. They have been donated a longtail boat BUT this is inadequate. They need a fast RIB boat and a full time team. As there is no National Funding for such a scheme it will have to be funded privately -- Andrew is investigating costs.
2.	Toursist Security -- There is just one volunteer, which is totally inadequate for such a busy island.

c.	We paid our second visit to the Tsunami Memorial Park which has matured amazingly since October. We do congratulate Carol and all her volunteers for such fantasic work. Celia and Henry found the plague to Piers Thomas Simon in this beautiful Garden. Piers would have loved its beach-side location and "James Blunt" was playing in the nearby Ben's Sunflower Bar. --- perfect!
d.	At Ben's Sunflower Bar we met Alana McGovern. She is a very determined young lady and we congratulated her on establishing the Millie and Tia Nursery in Krabi for the evacuated Phi Phi children. Alana has a site to build a nursery on Phi Phi (right by Ben's Sunflower Bar and the newly constructed Tsunami Siren Tower) PSA hope to help her fund this new venture and help with the running costs. We later went with Alana to Krabi on the mainland where she showed us the Millie and Tia Nursery. There were 3 classroom staff and a cook. The children (20-32) spend a very regulated day there, with lunch and a shower, and a sleep. The head teacher will move to Phi Phi to the new nursery.
Clair explained 2 possible PSA recipients. (i) We met "Nang" coach of the Phi Phi Youth Football team which has been so successful recently. Their success has lifted morale on Phi Phi and has created much enthusiasm amongst islanders. The team (9-14 y/o) has been invited to take part in a competition in Vietnam. They are all desperate to go-- the trip has been costed. (ii) Clare also knows Pee Wan who, with her friend used to bake "Brownies" to sell each morning to the many Dive Camps. Her friend died in the Tsunami and Pee Wan went away. She has now returned to Phi Phi working in a restaurant. She has no money to replace her baking equipment but wishes to resume her small business. Clare will find out more and PSA would love to help.
e.	We then flew to Chiang Mai to spend some time with Luke at the Prem Tinsulanonda International School. On Saturday 4th, February 2006 was the PSA fund raising marathon organized by Luke. It was a big day with 200 runners and walkers (many in relay teams) and our huge thanks to all those who helped especially Elizabeth who organized the hugely successful Draw. Henry conduced an Auction (a first ever in the local currency of Baht for a 5 day holiday home in Bali -- it made 85,000 Baht (about 1200 Pound). All profits will go to the PDA (Population and COmmunity Development Association which supports Tsunami stricken rural communities in Southern Thailand) which has been supported by the PSA during 2005. Luke has made arrangements to visit Sri Lanka in April. We have made contact with two organizations there who are desperate for housing schemes.

	Henry Simon 12.02.2006