On December 26, 2004, the earthquake that originated in the Indian Ocean became the deadliest disaster in modern history. The tsunamis it caused devastated the shores of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other countries with waves of up to 50 feet high, even reaching the east coast of Africa, 2,800 miles west of the epicenter. At least 150,000 people are known to have died as a result of the tsunamis and the count is still taking place. The tragedy has prompted a widespread humanitarian response.
Kamala 12/28/04
One Babson alumnus, Anocha Uahwatanasakul’99, from Thailand, unintentionally, yet voluntarily, has made herself into a “mini charity”. She considers herself very lucky as she was staying in Phuket at Patong beach 4 days prior to the tsunamis strike. She wanted to stay for Christmas, but had to organize the annual kids Christmas party for family and friends.
Anocha works at Bara, Windsor & Co., Ltd, a family conglomerate that includes an automobile dealership in Bangkok, manufacture of Nautica licensed products, and more. Mr. Yod Jin Uahwatanasakul’60, H’94, the head of the conglomerate and Anocha’s father, initiated the “Charity Run” for the Southern Thailand, while Anocha started to collect donations from her friends and other employees. She organized first a 40-foot container and then a 10 wheeled truck loaded with clothing, shoes, medication and other necessities to the survivors and materials and plastic bags to wrap bodies. Regardless of all the complexities of the government rules and regulations, Anocha and her sister, Karuna saw to it that the container reached the south within 48 hours after the strike. The truck was accompanied by volunteers from Anocha’s company and later joined by her local team and some government authorities to distribute the goods.
After the first container and her first e-mail, her telephone number had circulated around and many people were calling and asking if they could drop off their contributions to the trailer daily and money continued to be transferred from friends and work associates. Anocha had to set up her office as temporary “mini collection center” and daily she would have to send the collected items to the army to be delivered to the South. Anocha felt honored for the trust received from friends and work associates so she voluntarily takes the responsibility to make sure that those donations reach the people in needs. Anocha got in touch with both the locals in the South and government officials and had come out with helping to set the wiped out communities back on their feet. Sadly the aftermath of this disaster left the south with many orphans and single parent families with no income.
Furthermore, Anocha and her team managed to collect 410,000 baht (more than $10,000) that will go toward renovating and rebuilding schools and/or purchasing supplies for the children. They plan to send a second “Charity Run” very soon with building equipment, materials and supplies for the schools and students. In addition, Anocha is negotiating with Nautica to reallocate some of 2005 advertising budget into helping the South.
Anocha and her friends are looking into establishing scholarship funds to support surviving children to continue their education. She is hoping to raise enough funds to provide children the highest education available depending upon their capabilities. Her family would like to give those children a second chance for a bright and independent in the future.
Babson College and The William F. Glavin Center for Global Management would like to thank Anocha and her family for their enthusiasm and initiative to help survivors of this horrible tragedy.
If you would like to make a donation please send money to:
Account Name: Anocha Uahwatanasakul
Bank: Bangkok Bank
Branch: Adbulrahim Building
Account number: 031-0-067566
Patong 12/28/04
Patong 12/29/04
