EFSA PHUKET TSUNAMI APPEAL

As many members are aware EFSA fished its 2004 Game Championships in Phuket, Thailand lass than one month before the tsunami struck the area at Christmas of that year, and our Chairman Horst Schneider was there when the disaster occurred.

Our members met many of the locals, particularly the boatmen, and following the disaster, some of those who fished and EFSA Headquarters felt that they wished to help the local community in some way. Collections were made and the monies received were supplemented by funds provided by Headquarters.

Our chairman undertook to seek a suitable project to support in the Phuket area, rather than put the monies to one of the international appeal funds. After extensive enquiries he identified a local orphanage, operated under the patronage of the King of Thailand, which he considered deserved support.

Members of the orphanage have been trained in traditional Thai dancing, the object being for them to entertain visitors, in order to generate an income for the orphanage. Accordingly the EFSA Appeal funds have been used to provide the traditional costumes for the dancers, and in so doing hopefully assisting the orphanage to establish an income for the future.

Our thanks go to all those members who supported the appeal.