However, during the 2003 Tsunami which hit part of Asia, they too were affected. Nevertheless, none of them were killed because of their knowledge about the sea and their close relationship with the sea. Now, they are settled in few islands around Ranong, they need the help of us. Here are some of the pictures that I took while I spend about 5 days with them.
Before I went, I was very excited about the trip. Firstly, this will be the first trip that I make to Thailand after I moved to KL 7 years ago. Knowing that I will fly to Phuket, I am more that eager to go. After, I love the sea! And Sea nomad, where else they live!
However, we just plan this trip to be a normal exposure trip, spending our time with them from morning till evening and to see how they go through their life. From there, I can learn more about them, and actually how can we help them without disturbing their lifestyles.
Children there were the first to great us as we climb on to the jetty. We have to time ourselves right to get into this settlement. if we come in too early, we will have to walk in to the jetty through the mud. If we come in too late, the tide will be too hide and the sea will be very choppy.
However, on the first day that I am there, I am reduced to tears as I see the living conditions and the settlement.
This is the first sight that greated me when I am there. Debris and broken bottles were everywhere on the floors. Broken boats and wooden planks lying everywhere. Houses built of stilts looks like it will collapsed anytime.
Further in, we see more houses and signs that showed they actually live from the harvest they find from the sea.
However, about an hour later, we were asked to get back to the jetty. When I reach back, I only realise why. the worst has yet to come. The dirty place suddenly was turn into Venice look alike. After all, Venice was surrounded by water, but this place is far from it. Everything that lie around, floats and water is far from clear. Its milky and I don't even dare to step into the water. But suddenly, I can see little children in the water.
Facilities...basic amineties for this settlement in nearly 'zero'. After tracking for half hour, we reach to the peak of a small hill. Here we can see few wells being dug and powered by bicycle pump. This is an ingenious design since, all that it cost is human energy to draw water from the well. However, as I tasted the water, it's salty and smell funny. The village headman told me because the well is too low and too near to the sea.
Children here are oblivious to their living conditions. Once the tide comes in, they are happy to play in the water. Child as old as a year takes the water like fishes put into sea. I saw little boy, the most to be two years, jumping from their house veranda into the water. In my heart, I crunched. I wonder what will actually cut the boy, from wooden planks to broken bottles and sharp metal lying aroung.
The elder boys will head towards the jetty and this will be their bathing time. I look at the whole scene with a cry in my heart and feeling down thourghout the day. The don't realise what will actually they come in contact too in the dirty water. What more, about sickness that they will actually come down with. Turning my eyes away from the elder boys, I saw younger ones.
I question myself, does he knows about what he will face in the future? I suddenly felt how he will feel if he knows that we have so much yet we are complaining and he have none.
I scouted this two girls paddling on the make shift boats around the settlement, happy that now they can also float and play with others.
And yet, the eyes of this child capture my attention. Hopelessness. Rejected. Insecure. I asked myself, where does the future of this boy lies?
But, after all, they are still happy just to jump of the branches and head into the sea, not knowing what will catch them nor hit them when they touches it.
A year has passed, I have not forget about this community. I consistently prayed for them and remembering them. I ponder how can I help, in this age where I and most of you who read this think without the internet connection will actually makes us suffer. What more, I asked myself, if I am taken from my current condition and lives with them, where every day is a fight to survive. Electricity is a luxury! No, having food on the table is a luxury!
To learn more how you can help, email me khaichung@gmail.com.
You may go to http://www.projectmaje.org/ to learn about this community.
