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Published: December 17th 2006
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In between Miles feeling okay and being sick, I managed to spend the day collecting details about some of the kid’s stories.
Forewarning, this blog is not for the faint of heart. The names of the children are not included, only ages and gender to protect their identities.
For now, the stories can be considered case studies.
Girl, 11 yrs: This child and her sister lost their father in the Tsunami. The family’s financial support stopped after his death and their mother, with no skills, was unable to afford their care. They are now both under the care of the DPF (Duang Prateep Foundation).
Boy, 6 yrs. This child’s mother was killed in the Tsunami. His father was injured and spent nearly one year in the hospital recovering from neurological damage and head injuries. He has since returned to Bang Muang, but his injuries prevent him from taking care of his son and daughter. The child’s sister has been displaced to Northern Thailand with her grandmother. The child’s grandfather lives in Bang Muang, but has recently lost his feet to diabetes. The mother’s remains were identified via DNA in Feb 06 and given a proper funeral.
Girl, 11 yrs. The family members are Tsunami victims and as fishermen, they have lost their businesses. Driven into poverty, the family has given up the child for care under the guardianship of the DPF. The family does hope to regain their financial stability in the future.
Boy, 3 yrs. This child’s parents were terminally ill at the time of the Tsunami (Suspected Aids). Both parents were killed in the Tsunami. The child also survived with a brother but the surviving relatives are unable to financially support them. They are now currently under the care of the DPF children’s center.
Boy, 3 yrs. After the tsunami, the family unit has broken from the stress and the mother suffers from extreme PTSD. The father left the family and the mother is unable to care for the children full time, so the DPF has taken the child into its care and the girl (1 ½) spends the days at the centre but returns with the mother at night. The mother has also been given part time employment as a cleaner at the centre.
Male 13 yrs. The child and his brother, lost their mother in the Tsunami. (her body
was not recovered). The surviving parent is a victim of alcoholism and does not work. The DPF has taken the responsibility of both brothers and will care for their needs and their future.
Male 14 yrs. The Tsunami has created many hardships for families. Among those hardships are keeping the family together. This child comes from a broken home. His mother gave one boy away and two other brothers, are in different parts of Thailand. The family is very poor and DPF has taken the responsibility of caring for this child.
Girl, 9 yrs. As an infant, this child was abandoned in the jungle by her mother. An elderly Thai couple found her and ‘adopted’ her as their grandchild. The Tsunami has left them in dire poverty and the Grandfather terminally ill. The ‘grandparents’ are now unable to care for her. She has been turned over to the DPF for care.
Girl, 11 yrs. This child’s entire family perished in the Tsunami. She has been left alone with no nearby relatives. She is now under the care of the DPF. Her current school report card shows that she is a near perfect student.
Boy, 6 yrs.
This child’s parents were terminally ill at the time of the Tsunami (illness suspected as AIDS). Both parents were killed in the Tsunami. This child has severe learning disabilities and is suspected to have further autistic indicators.
Girl, 12 yrs. The family was in the Tsunami but survived. Following the wave, stress on the family caused the mother to abandon the family care of the child was left for the father, a Fisherman. Employment is scarce with so few boats to work on and financial hardship caused the father to give up the child to the center.
Girl, 12 yrs. This child’s parents died when she was 6 years old. Her elder sister cared for her until recently. To feed themselves, the older sister became involved in exotic dancing, and tried to get this child involved too. The child ran away and came to the center of her own accord. As both a victim of the Tsunami and victim to her
sister, this child can find here, for comfort and help.
Girl 6 yrs. Following the Tsunami, this child’s parents both disappeared though are thought to be still alive. The uncle now cared for the child and her tow brothers until recently. The Uncle is frequently in the hospital for medical complications. When recently found, the children had not bathed for weeks and were in dire need of health care and food.
Girl, 11yrs. This child’s mother died in the waters of the Tsunami and her father soon thereafter abandoned the children and three of her sisters with their ailing grandmother. The government paid the father a one-time compensation of 15,000 baht ($500CDN) but that has long been spent. Grandmother cannot care for them all and requested that DPF take the youngest into their care.
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