The Phang nga province of southern Thailand is well known for the beautiful beaches that stretch along its main road. These beaches have been a favourite place of many for walking and swimming. For one orphaned boy named Akkapol Nawarak, or Maay, the simple and beautiful memory of his happiness while walking on the beach with his mother in Phang nga is one of his few remaining memories of his family. His father died when Maay was only in grade 2, and he lost his mother in the recent tsunami. Her cremation has not yet been arranged because his family could not claim the body without her code, which they can not remember.
Maays story was told to us by The Foundation for Children (FFC) of Kuek-Kak center, an NGO funded by ActionAid Thailand. FCC concentrates on mental health services for children through fun, creative activities and exploring methods to relieve their sorrow and help them cope with grief. By helping them to rebuild energetic and powerful hearts, FCC encourages and supports the children in their programs as they are forced to start their lives anew.
Maay is 9 years old, studying in grade 3 at a Ban Bang Nueng school. He lives with his two older sisters, who are struggling to earn enough for the small family under the area's problems of severe unemployment and lack of necessary working tools. Maay receives scholarships of 2,000 baht from funds provided by the Royal Princess Ubonrat and 10,000 baht per year from the government. This money is deposited in the bank and withdrawn by his sisters to help pay for their daily needs and food. Maay gets 5 baht to go to school, where he is given free lunch. In spite of his familys economic difficulties, Maay hopes to continue with school, eventually obtain a bachelors degree and in the future become a soldier.
In order to help Maay achieve his educational goals and aid his small family in their economic struggle, FFC has given Maay an additional scholarship of 2,000 baht per month for one year. FFC has also provided counseling services to him to help him deal with the tsunamis effect on his life.
: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">When the tsunami came on December 26, 2004, Maay was sitting in his house with his mother and a few neighbours. As the wave approached, everyone was told to run away from the tsunami immediately. Maay tried to get his mother to run with him but she refused to leave, urging him to run away without her. Maay insisted that if she would not leave with him, he would stay with her and wait out the wave. They held onto each others hands very tightly but when the water hit, the strength of the tsunami separated them. Maay caught a coconut tree and held onto it, staying in the water near the door to the local temple. His mother, however, did not survive the tsunami.
Before the tsunami, he had been a talkative and joyful child who loved the ocean, persuading his friends to go swimming on the weekends. One of his favorite activities before the tsunami had been going for walks along the seaside with his mother and swimming in the water while his mother sat on the beach watching. Maay reacted severely to his loss. He became inattentive and introverted, crying frequently over the loss of his mother and his new fear of the sea.
FFC has worked on Maay's deep grief and fear of the ocean by helping him to recall good memories of his mother and the ocean, separating them from the sadness of her death. FCC persuaded him to join in on some of their activities at the sea, reminding him that "when you miss your mom and don know to do, you can come and see the sea. Both you and your mom love the sea. Your mom loved watching you swim, and she is still watching you." With help from FFC, Maay has begun to let go of his fear of the ocean, and he has been able to enjoy activities at the sea. Time, as well, will help his broken heart to heal and help Maay come to terms with what he has lost and what he still has. "Just as Maay still loves his mother, Maay will love the sea again."
