Just got back from spending 6 days doing charity work organized by the school in coordinance with the local army troops, building houses for the fishermen families who have lost theirs in the tsunami incident. It feels good to be doing something material for those who are less fortunate. There I met a Westerner who survived the tsunami by clinging to a tree. I have to always pinched my self to remind my head that the tsunami really did happend, and that his recollection is real, but it's was so hard. The beach is littered with rocks washed up by the tsunami, that much is true, but the sea is as calm as ever. There weren't any big waves, just little wavelets brushing against the sand.
We went to Koh Phi Phi for a day to view the damages the tsunami had caused, despite the amount of time which have passed the wreckage is still there (but thank the gods the bodies are all taken care of). Everywhere reminders of what used to be are piled up meters high but the people are stronger now and are using every minute of the day to turn it back to its former glory. Phi Phi's income is the tourists and tourists have to be taken care of properly. I, being a girl and a teenager, can't do anything for them except to buy the local's wares and give donations, they need to have income from the outside. Then I went to the spot where they filmed "The Beach" (movie). The water is clear and the view breath-taking. One of the teachers said that "Phi Phi is still the most beautiful place on Earth." and I whole-heartedly agree.
On another day I went to the local school to play with the kids, there I met two orphaned by the tsunami. One, a boy, is very quiet and even though I tried to speak to him he didn't answer me, it might've been my accent though. The other is a girl and when I told her something funny her sweet smile and eyes melted my heart, and I wish I could give her something more than a fleeting smile.
Still, there no more things that can be said that hasn't already been felt by millions. I am reminded that the problem is still there by this trip, and I have helped in my small ways to make it better. So can you. People say that life moves on but they need your small charity to keep theirs moving, so help the giving. There is no need for grief, just remembrance.