05/23/2005 - Media Advisory: Assessment Team Returns to Phoenix with Tidings of Joy

Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten and Food for the Hungry Staff Bring Greetings, Thank You’s from Citizens in Adopted City of Meulaboh

PHOENIX, AZ, May 23, 2005 – An assessment team from Food for the Hungry (FH) and the City of Phoenix returned Saturday from touring relief and development programs in Indonesia which the pair had initiated in January following last year’s deadly tsunami. Speaking at a news conference today, officials presented an update on “Rising to Help" - their joint venture to rebuild the devastated city of Meulaboh – and relayed greetings and words of gratitude from the city’s mayor and citizens.

“The city of Phoenix and the incredible effort of our residents have made a lasting impact on the people of Meulaboh," said Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten, who returned from her second trip to the region. “The city’s leaders thanked us and let us know to thank all of our residents back home. They were overwhelmed that people across the world would care so much that they would help in such a critically important way."

The assessment team spent about a week in Indonesia reviewing and evaluating current “Rising to Help" programs, strategizing future development plans, and meeting with provincial leaders and citizens of Meulaboh. One of the main programs studied by the group was an economic recovery plan to help small business owners rebuild after having lost all in the tsunami. According to some estimates, more than 600,000 people in Indonesia may have lost their sole source of livelihood because of the tsunami. Fishing, agriculture and other small businesses were hit the hardest.

“We’re helping about 500 small business owners -- from chicken farmers to rickshaw drivers -- in 16 categories of business to earn a living again and learn better business skills, " said Ben Homan, Food for the Hungry president and head of the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations. "A deeper reality is also at work -- renewed hope and motivation for the future. People thanked us repeatedly for not leaving them to fend for themselves. Meulaboh's tsunami survivors also have an entirely new perception of the United States and especially Phoenix, facts that can impact how Indonesia, the nation with the largest number of Muslims, manages their relationship with the West," Homan added. While touring Meulaboh, the assessment team participated in a citywide dedication ceremony for becak (bee-chok), or pedal rickshaw, drivers. So far, the partners have provided 100 becak to help put these Indonesian cab drivers back to work. In Meulaboh, there are no buses, trains, or even taxis, so the becak drivers provide a valuable service to the community. The drivers are some of the poorest of the poor; and many of them were used to paying half of their daily earnings to rent their equipment. Because of "Rising to Help," about 100 drivers now own their own becak and are back to work. As a result of Food for the Hungry's philosophy to not create dependency, each of the drivers had to provide two days of community service and attend several educational sessions covering small business concepts. They also had to show proof of establishing a savings account at the local bank and had to deposit 10,000 rupahs (about $1), which is about one third of a day's wages. The district governor as well as the mayor attended the ceremony and afterwards there was a becak parade down the city streets. "It was a very emotional day for many of the drivers to be honored in such a manner," said John Frick, Food for the Hungry senior director of Ministry Partners. "These are men who are often looked at as the lowest on the totem pole."

Mike Frisbie, an engineer from the Phoenix Street Transportation Department, took vacation to join the team and lend his expertise to rebuilding the city’s infrastructure. He also met with residents to develop solutions for removing standing salt water from agricultural fields flooded by the tsunami. Bilsten met with education officials and spoke to a group of a few hundred women who lost their husbands and must now raise their families alone. “They need the hope that Phoenix and Food for the Hungry are providing," Bilsten said.

In Meulaboh, one in three people died in the tsunami; so, everyone seems to have lost someone. Many lost more than one family member including one becak driver who had 22 of his family die in the flood. Even the mayor lost his mother and mother-in-law. But, according to the Phoenix and Food for the Hungry assessment team, despite such great loss, the people of Meulaboh are enthusiastic about rebuilding and grateful for the help.

“It’s been just under six months since we began this initiative, said Homan. “We have a long way to go, but thanks to the generosity and prayers of so many Phoenicians, we’re seeing Meulaboh rise from the ashes."

To date, the alliance has raised more than $200,000 to help rebuild Meulaboh. The money was donated by private citizens, associations, school-children, and more than 50 businesses, groups and foundations including Carl’s JR, Home Depot, and The United Phoenix Firefighters. No tax dollars are going toward this effort or the tour.

Food for the Hungry has strategic partnerships around the world, but this is the first large-scale initiative where a US city is mobilizing businesses and citizens to reach out to tsunami victims in a long-term relief and development plan.

Businesses and individuals can help by calling 1-800-2-HUNGERS or by donating online at www.fh.org.

Founded in 1971, Food for the Hungry provides emergency relief and implements development programs in 47 countries to help the world's most disadvantaged people.