“To Sandy, From Sri Lanka” is here!
Join us on our trip to Sri Lanka last August, exploring how our tsunami aid beneficiaries are faring almost 10 years later, what we’ve learned in terms of good disaster giving, and where this special country is today.
Give any amount, today, to 2 special projects in Sri Lanka!
I’ve never made one of my causes public, not even Give2Asia. And due to age more than anything, I’ve never been a racer for causes.
But this year, we have a cause: helping some of those most in need in Sri Lanka, and I ask you to take 5 minutes to give $25, $50, or any amount to the Tsunami Renewal Fund (http://give2asia.org/tsunamiplusten).
Sri Lanka was the first stop for this T+10 personal research project exploring the philanthropic legacy of the 2004 tsunami. It was a remarkable trip, and if you haven’t seen it, check out the trip video we are so proud of: http://tsunamiplus10.org/MINI-DOC; thanks to Mayra Padilla for all her insights and photo/videography.
Conflict still divides Sri Lanka, and while the war is over and things are markedly better, there remain disparities between the Sinhalese/Buddhist South and the former Tamil conflict zone in the North and East.
We can’t solve these problems but we know two organizations that can help families and youth in different ways. More detail is in the previous post, and we are raising just $10,000 for 2 projects: the FOUNDATION OF GOODNESS and the 181 individuals in Neethipuram Village to the North, and SRI LANKA UNITES, which works with youth on reconciliation across the country.
In addition to what we’ve put into Tsunami+10, we’ve made our own gifts to the Tsunami Renewal Fund (http://give2asia.org/tsunamiplusten). My 3:1 match from work helps!
Why now and why Sri Lanka? There are some things you give to simply because of inequality and great need. Neethipuram counts, with families earning barely $100/mo and the traumas of conflict fresh. We know exactly where our funds will go and who they’ll help. These are gifts for concrete hope, into a tough but ready environment, and we know that FOG has complementary commitments in the village and the North. We can trust both organizations to keep us updated over time.
This once (and perhaps next year for Aceh, Indonesia!), give what you can, and any amount matters. The TSUNAMI RENEWAL FUND is only for grantees and programs (not Tsunami+10 itself), and is tax deductible. Click:
http://give2asia.org/tsunamiplusten
In any event, best wishes!
Mike, with Mayra
Watch “The Impossible” and read our VIEWER’s GUIDE which provides context, lessons from the recovery, and how to get involved today, along with tips on good disaster giving. It’s a remarkable, thought-provoking film! View and share below or here.
Catch Up on Tsunami+10 — and Get Involved!
A summary and images from our journey so far, with much more to come! Check it out, let us know what you think, and take one action to help the cause!
The Feb. 2013 update from www.TsunamiPlus10.org. by Mike Rea
Many thanks to the Chronicle for taking up our story!
Thai voices on “The Impossible” and the tsunami
What do Thais think when they see “The Impossible”? We asked several Thai community development professionals, some of whom were involved in tsunami relief. After seeing this powerful film we captured their views on culture, disaster preparedness, traditional Thai knowledge, and storytelling and memory.
J.A. Bayona on Thailand, empathy, transformation and death in “The Impossible”
Uncut comments from the director of “The Impossible” from our December 17, 2012, interview.
Tsunami Revisited: Stories and Recovery for Today
Our movie review of The Impossible, opening Friday, thanks to Stanford Social Innovation Review!
Tsunami Plus 10 At The Impossible Movie Premiere in Los Angeles; Naomi Watts Nominated for Golden Globe for Best Actress
The Tsunami Plus 10 team, Mike and Mayra, had the pleasure of being invited and attending the movie premiere for The Impossible, the movie about one family’s story of survival during the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Despite cancelled flights and one minor bribery attempt by Mayra to bump a fellow passenger off a flight to ensure herself a seat, Mike and Mayra made it in time to catch the excitement of this important film’s premiere.
Kudos all around to the cast and crew of this heartwrenching, inspiring and not to be missed film and especially to Naomi Watts for her Golden Globe nomination this morning for Best Actress. She gives a tour de force performance of an injured mother’s compassion, strength and resilience in the aftermath of the tsunami.
The movie premieres in the US on Friday, December 21st. Tsunami Plus 10 has put together a guide, Beyond The Impossible, that provides for even greater context on the events of that fateful day and how you can still help the survivors of this and other natural disasters.
But for now, let’s go behind the scenes for the premiere of The Impossible featuring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor (who sadly Mayra did NOT get a photo with). Facebook album and comments are here.
December is here and the month that features the release of a major movie set in Thailand during the tsunami, not to mention the Dec. 26 8th anniversary, will start with a bang — 2 seats at the Los Angeles premiere of THE IMPOSSIBLE on Monday!
Many thanks to Lions Gate and Summit Entertainment for the invitation.
Mayra and I can’t wait to see the movie and to bring a philanthropic lens, as well as our recent research in Sri Lanka, to our review.
Our Viewer’s Companion to the movie is almost done and our mini-documentary, “To Sandy From Sri Lanka,” is halfway there. Both have been incredible for crystallizing our experience and messages.
There is a lot to say about the tsunami, its legacy, and disaster giving. We’re grateful for the movie for raising awareness and creating opportunities for discussion.
More soon, from LA!
