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| Akkampettai/India - Photo: D. Sansoni |
In many countries, the sea is revered as a goddess. Before they go out to sea, fishermen pray that they will catch plenty of fish and will return safely. This is also the case in Thailand. Many people in the coastal areas live of fishing - they sell their catch at the market and cover their own needs. Faith in the benevolent sea goddess was seriously shaken after 26 December 2004. "A mother doesn't eat up her children", said 14-year-old Jeevanandam from India. Most people had never even heard of a tsunami.
It is more than symbolic that the fishermen are once again praying before they go to sea each day. Their very existence depends on the sea and many cannot imagine and do not want to even consider leading a different life style. The loss of boats and fishing equipment in the tidal waves hit many fishermen very hard. Isahak from a small village in Thailand called Bang Kluay Nok was one of them.
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| Photo: D. Sansoni |
It was a scene of celebration when the men set sail in their new boats and with their new nets for the first time. In India, Thailand and Sri Lanka, SOS Children's Villages provided 343 boats, as well as nets, other fishing equipment, cool boxes and boat engines. Many now have sturdier boats and can spend the night out at sea. It often happens that several families share a boat.
The disaster relief in Thailand was the most well-organised because of a professional network of national and international relief organisations. This was why SOS Children's Villages concentrated on assisting small villages away from tourist areas, which had been badly affected but were not being helped as part of the reconstruction work. The people were assisted by SOS Children's Villages in building solid houses and were provided with boats. This meant the end of the crippling inactivity for Isahak. He can now look after his family without charity from others. Children of fishing families usually work as well, but Isahak has broken with this tradition. His children now go to school.
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| Ban Tung Wha/Thailand - Photo: S. Posingis |
"In the evening, the children stand in front of the house and wait for their father. They know that he's going to come home soon with his new fishing net and that we're going to eat together." Amena, a mother from Bang Kluay Nok, Thailand