Press Release

SHAWNEE GROUNDS KEEPER SHARES EXPERIENCES OF TSUNAMI RELIEF

Shawnee on Delaware, PA – Under normal circumstances, people who have visited the paradise-like island of Phuket, Thailand return home with tropical photos and blissful memories. For local grounds keeper Matthew Siptroth, his experience in Phuket has left him with a slightly different perspective.

On February 10 th of this year, Siptroth, 32, born and raised in Shawnee on Delaware, PA, departed on a 23-hour flight that would end up having a tremendous impact on his views of the world. Being a close friend of Peter Kirkwood and the Kirkwood Family, founders of the Shawnee Institute, Matt was eager to help out with the tsunami relief any way that he could. He was thrilled then, when the Kirkwood’s offered to sponsor him to join Peter in Thailand in order to help with the recovery efforts. Matt had been to Thailand once before, when he was 16, for six months to study the language and culture. Mixed with the fact that he is in pretty good shape from working the grounds, Matt was a perfect candidate for this volunteer opportunity.

A day after settling in Phuket, Matt was assigned to his volunteer committee. For the next month, he interviewed hundreds of victims whose homes were wiped out by the tsunami. And, with the help of a translator, Matt was eventually able to sign off on construction plans that would start the rebuilding process of eight new homes. When asked about his initial take on the environment in Phuket, Matt explained, “I was happily surprised by the tranquility of the island; most of the emergency assistance had already been completed. I went with the expectations of doing physical labor in order to clean up the island, but unlike what you see in the media, most of that work was already done.” Instead, Matt’s volunteer case study work lead to the rebuilding of homes for eight very appreciative families.

When looking back at his trip to Thailand, Matt describes what a “humbling and eye-opening experience it was”. He continues, “Witnessing this terrible tragedy first hand makes me realize how precious life is. Children were taken from parents and parents were taken from children; this is something that no amount of money or manpower can replace. I feel very fortunate to have been able to help out the families so desperately in need of homes.”

Despite the fact that many families are getting back on their feet, Phuket is still struggling economically. Their two biggest industries, tourism and fishing, suffered major losses as a result of the December tragedy. Although the island remains as beautiful as it ever was, the restaurants, resorts and markets are truly hurting for business. The Phuket Rotary Club, who is helping to rebuild fishing boats, urges people that tourism is the only way that Phuket will regain its status as a tropical paradise. Thanks to people like Matt Siptroth, we are confident that this reality lies not too far off in the future. Thanks Matt. We commend you for your efforts and welcome you back home.

Below is the latest email correspondence and updates from Peter Kirkwood himself:

Dear Friends of the Shawnee Institute-

The tsunami crushed houses like cardboard boxes and swept away cars and trucks like so many breadcrumbs. But even in the face of such stunning destruction, before the sand was even dry, people from all over the world were taking action to help the survivors. I have had the privilege of bearing witness to the way that this misfortune has made brothers and sisters of us all, and I am honored to have been the means by which you chose to help those in need.

I take seriously my responsibility to make sure that your donations benefit the truly needy, and benefit them without waste. This focus on the details sometimes leaves little time for contemplating the grander scheme. In compiling this newsletter, however, I have had occasion to review the work we’ve done in the last three months, and the progress we have made is just stunning.

Together with our sponsored organizations, we’ve already built or begin building dozens of houses, we’ve re-started many businesses to provide jobs and self-sufficiency, we’ve put hundreds of families put back on their feet, we’ve rehabilitated whole villages (there's more info on all these successes below), and your donation to the Shawnee Institute helped to make all of these successes possible.

Success in Kamala: Eight homes under construction, five more to go!

The village of Kamala (where Pete and Liz Kirkwood reside) was devastated by the tsunami, with dozens of homes and scores of businesses destroyed. In concert with the local authorities and affected villagers, we identified over 30 families in need of new homes; of these the Shawnee Institute is committed to rebuilding at least 13 (the rest will be handled by Thai government agencies or other grassroots groups). We are already rebuilding eight of those homes. We will sign contracts to build the other five very soon, and we aim to get them all finished before mid-June, when the rainy season really kicks in. Your donation to the Shawnee Institute helped to make this success possible.

We want to send hearty thanks out to Matt Siptroth, who came to Kamala all the way from Shawnee, PA, to work as a volunteer for a month. He was instrumental in getting the recovery work in Kamala started and keeping it on track.

Success in Yanui: Four homes destroyed by waves, four new homes under construction by us!

Yanui Beach, a tiny community on the southwest coast of Phuket, consisted of only a handful of homes, a small restaurant, a few rented bungalows, and a gorgeous beach. After the tsunami there was basically nothing left. Then four travelers (Nicolas Serra of Spain, Matt Licklider and Matthew Cohen of USA, and Natalie Dissel of the Netherlands), along with their Thai friend May, took upon themselves the project of restoring this village. Now all four of the houses that made up this village are under construction, and your donation to the Shawnee Institute helped to make this success possible.

Success in Bangtao: 20 families re-housed!

Local businessman Robin Plant witnessed, first hand, the destruction of homes and lives caused by the tsunami. In response to what he saw, he created the Bangtao Housing Project. This project provides transitional housing for people whose rented homes were destroyed by the waves- people who, after the tsunami, lacked even a piece of land on which to rebuild. Robin officially handed over the first “tsunami village,” which consists of 20 homes (housing over 100 people), on March 17 th. Your donation to the Shawnee Institute helped to make this success possible.

Success in Bangtao: Entire community back on its feet!

Hands On Bangtao may be the most ambitious project that the Shawnee Institute supports. With intensive, hand-on efforts starting within hours of the disaster, this group has assisted scores of families and dozens of businesses to get back on their feet. The result is that Bang Tao is set to become the first village in Thailand to be fully rehabilitated. Your donation to the Shawnee Institute helped to make this success possible.

Hands On Thailand: onward and upward!

Flush with the success they’ve already achieved in Bangtao, the team now plans to take its model of no-nonsense hands-on aid to other villages in Thailand. This broader, ongoing effort will be known as Hands On Thailand, and your donation to the Shawnee Institute helped to make Hands On Thailand a reality. Unless you indicate your preference not to receive it, Hands On Thailand will send you a periodic newsletter to keep you posted on its progress.

Thanks so much for your support and your generosity. If you'd like to support our ongoing relief efforts, please visit www.shawneeinstitute.org.

Sincerely,

Pete Kirkwood

P.S. Please remember: Phuket is still a fantastic place to vacation. The island is recovering with amazing speed, and I predict that by next high season (November 2005-April 2006) Phuket will be back to its stunning pre-tsunami self. And while your donations to the Shawnee Institute have been heartily appreciated, the only truly sustainable form of long-term aid is tourism: so please come (or tell your friends to come) to play, stay (and pay!)- you’ll have a great time, and the people would love to have your business.