I wanted to post an excerpt from the update sent to us by our partners in Aceh, who are dedicated and diligently working with the tsunami survivors we serve. I thought it was important to let you read their account, personally, in comparison to what the news media reflects. We will continue the good fight, we press on to make sure we do everything we can, to help bring hope to those who continue to struggle… I hope you will find this account helpful~

“Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and the largest city in Aceh. Before the tsunami, it had a population of approximately 280,000 people. The city bore the brunt of the tsunami with a wave as high as 18 meters (60 feet). The disaster took away the lives of 167,736 people (dead or missing until today) and left millions homeless. Now, three years after the earthquake and tsunami, there is still much to be done, and so many still in need. Some of the lives of these people will never be restored. We have a long term commitment to serve the Acehnese people and to help them to build a future…”

It seems almost everyone at this point is closing up shop and leaving Aceh. For most organizations and governments, the experience they had in Aceh has been one of their worst nightmares. Lack of infrastructure, government policies, over commitments, being donor driven, incompetence and many other things have contributed to this. Before the end of December, there will be (it has already begun) a mass exodus of people, organizations and governments from Aceh. One organization we have worked with had over 1,800 full time employees in Aceh in August – by the end of December it will be zero. This is not just one organization, it seems all of them are leaving or seriously scaling back at this time.”

What does it mean for us?? Well, …we will continue moving forward and doing what we can…”

I guess that the hardest part of this for us is that there remains so much to bedone. We are certainly thankful for what has been achieved and the help that we and the Acehnese have received in Aceh. But, there are many people who have received very little help. Especially in the more remote areas, there are still many in tents or other temporary shelters. Much of the provincial infrastructure still remains in ruins. Roads, bridges, electricity and most other infrastructure facilities have not even begun to be repaired. Many villages remain isolated and cut off due to the roads never having been repaired. In the capital city (this would be the BEST case scenario) in November (I was there much of the time!) we averaged 6-8 hours a day without electricity – just to give you one example.”

So, a logical question is where did all the money go that was committed to this disaster? I don’t know – all I can say is, very little of it actually got to where it was most needed.”

We look forward with a heart of expectancy and anticipation…for us, our team and the people of Aceh.”

As you can see it remains imperative, now more than ever, that we continue to do what we can for the people of Aceh. Scaling back is not the answer. Forging ahead is our every intention. 

But we need your help!

Our goals for 2008 are high… so we are dependent on those of you who are willing to move forward with us. We will be recruiting more home party Consultants, as well as seeking out small retailers, nationwide in 2008.If you are interested in joining our Laga team, we look forward to hearing from you!