Making a difference in Thailand

Hundreds of Thai adults and children whose lives were disrupted by recent flooding are being helped thanks to assistance from Taunton Vale Rotary Club.

Before Christmas flood-waters in the Songkhla province of Thailand caused damage and destroyed homes and critical infrastructure including hospitals, factories and schools.  More than 130 thousand people had to flee to avoid the rising water, at least 50 people lost their lives and many remain homeless. The province experienced its highest rainfall total in a single day for three centuries, 335mm (13 inches) of rain in just 24 hours.

Members of Songkhla and other Thai Rotary Clubs were hosted in May by Somerset Rotary Clubs, including Taunton Vale, as part of an International Friendship Exchange.  Taunton Vale Rotary President, Kathryn Robinson-Burge, says: “When we appreciated the severity of the situation, we quickly wanted to do something to help our Thai friends.  We provided financial support of £3,000 and members from  Shepton Mallet Club contributed a further £1,000.

“We know that Rotarians have experience of assessing local needs and directing community response so all donations were channelled through RC Songkhla. In the initial phase, the funds were allocated to distribute 10,000 face masks to reduce the risk of infection amongst disaster victims.  The remaining budget was used to prepare school bags containing educational equipment for children in the worst affected areas.

Bags packed and ready to go

The idea of providing key equipment for each child in a rucksack was inspired following the Thai Rotarians’ exchange visit to Somerset last May when they were taken to the charity “School in a Bag”, based near Yeovil.

So far 650 sets of basic educational kit have been distributed to children at four schools and one orphanage.

The President of Songkhla Rotary Club, Suthisa Keosuk writes:  “Every item that is packed is not just school equipment, but supplies hope, encouragement and smiles that we are ready to pass on to all Songkhla students”

Three people from Taunton Vale Rotary visited Songkhla province last January staying with Rotarians in the city of Hat Yai which was the city where the worst floods were recorded.