Sunny Oh, treasurer, announced that, as of March 28, 2005, funds from two January conference-wide offerings and other sources for tsunami survivors in South Asia totaled:
ADRA Tsunami Fund
64,624.15 – Designated church offerings
3,380.00 – Designated individual offerings
3,475.38 – SCC academy and elementary school donations
71,479.53 – Total ADRA donations
SCC Tsunami Relief Fund
46,269.67 – Designated church offerings
4,979.95 - Designated Individual offeri ngs sent to SCC
51,249.62 – Total Tsunami Relief Fund donations
Administrators of the Southern California Conference selected a 5-member Tsunami Relief Fund (TRF) Committee chaired by James G. Lee Jr., vice president,* to seek information about specific needs of affected countries and to obtain contact information for individuals in the various areas who would oversee the use of TRF funds and report back to the committee.
After developing a list of projects and contacts, the committee met on March 21, 2005, to discuss amounts to be apportioned at the earliest possible date for specific projects in the various countries. The committee determined that initial allotments would be disbursed as follows:
1. Thailand
Phuket Adventist Hospital supplies - $3,987.
Backpacks and writing tools for 200 elementary students in 6
temporary shelters @ $10 2,000.
Help with developing clean water 2,000.
Total Thailand $ 7,987.
Local contact: Somchai Chuenchit, Pres., Phuket Hospital
Liaison, Pastor Somchai Piromgraipakd, Thai Ministries, Hollywood Church
2. Indonesia
Nias Island with largely Christian residents. This small island is remote and had not received much aid from other sources. Retired pastor Paul Emerson assisted earlier in the area, with funds donated earlier by SCC and the Ventura Church, e-mailing on-site progress reports.
Toward building of five homes @ 1,060 in the Lahewa area 5,300.
Building of 20+ outrigger small fishing boats plus nets 1,500. Total Nias Island $ 6,800
Local contact: Ronald Zai, an Adventist businessman and
Member of Parliament in that area.
Liaison/supervisor, Pastor Paul Emerson, member, Ventura Church, and retired missionary who takes volunteers twice a year to help build churches and schools in Indonesia.
The next trip to Indonesia will leave on July 17, for three weeks.
If interested in participating, contact Pastor Paul at 805-640-1002; e-mail,
emersonpb@juno.com.
3. Indonesia
Banda Aceh, a large section, primarily Muslim residents, at the northern tip of Sumatra, adjacent to the epicenter of the earthquake. Clinics and schools are badly needed in this devastated area. Funds toward building of clinics 10,000.
Total Banda Aceh up to $10,000
Local contact: Reuben Supit MD, president, Medan Adventist
Hospital, Sumatra, Indonesia.
Liaison, Pastor Dumas Tambunan, Indonesian American Church
(Pastor Tambunan left for Indonesia April 12 to conduct an evangelistic series there. Specifics and disbursement, pending detailed report of needs.)
4. India
Funds needed to rebuild one church at Subramaniapuram 4,000. Tuition for 82 children in one school where government has ordered that no tuition be charged them because their families were affected by the tsunami but teachers still have to teach them.
Total fees for 5 months 2,000.
Rebuilding of one fiberglass boat plus net 3,000.
Local contact – Dorothy Watts, Assoc. Secretary, So. Asia Div.
Total India $ 9,000.
Liaison – Betty Cooney, SCC Communication Dir
Total Tsunami Relief Fund disbursements for above projects $33,787.
Remaining funds will be used for other projects and reported on at a later date.To help with the long-range needs in South Asia, churches and individuals may make donations through the Tsunami Relief Fund through your local church or through ADRA.org or. Please continue to keep residents in South Asia in your prayers.
*TRFAdvisory Committee members: James G. Lee, Jr., VP/Community Services dir & TRF chair; Sung Oh, treasurer; Betty Cooney, communication dir; Pastor Somchai Piromgraipakd, Thai Ministry – Hollywood Church; Pastor Dumas Tambunan, Indonesian-American Church.
