An extract from a letter
from Mike Griffiths of the Leuser International Foundation (LIF) in
Banda Aceh As you
are aware the Leuser International Foundation (LIF), of which I am a
director, has been active in the distribution of Aqua Boxes provided by
Rotary to help in the relief and recovery of Aceh and Nias since the two
disasters hit those areas in recent months. The provision of this simple
but very effective aid has been well received by a large number of local
communities that were left destitute by the successive disasters. Both
the communities and the LIF are very grateful to Rotary for this
practical assistance.
Recently Philip Chubb who has been our contact person in the UK with
regard to the the Aqua Box aid, informed us that you might be able to
facilitate the transport of these boxes as well as much needed
additional fresh water and emergency supplies to more remote villages,
through the provision of two trucks.
The LIF purchased a truck itself very soon after the Tsunami and its
effectiveness was beyond even our own expectations. It has mainly been
involved in getting fresh (potable) water to villages in the vicinity of
Banda Aceh ( we use collapsible rubber water tanks and a simple pump
to transport and offload the water). As you could expect the roads have
been in an appalling state and these have taken a toll on the truck, but
with good maintenance it keeps providing the service for which it was
purchased. Many villagers further away have seen our work and have asked
for a similar service. But we have been unable to satisfy their needs
because of lack of financial resources. So if you have some ideas about
how this need can be met then you would find great support and
appreciation from the many people who would like to return to their
villages but cannot do so on account of lack of significant supplies of
water.
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