This is Real Travel: Traveling in Thailand, and Making a Difference in Burma

By noradunn On May 12, 2008 · 13 Comments

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We are two Canadians – Nora Dunn & Kelly Bedford – who were
vacationing through northern Thailand when we learned of the tragic
Cyclone Nargis sweeping through Burma. In fact, the storm narrowly
missed us. We are safe and sound, but less than 500kms away from us,
there are thousands upon thousands dead, missing, dying, and millions
are homeless and at risk of disease. “It could have been us,” we
thought.

Being so close to this tragedy, we could not continue
with our trip, and have effectively canceled our vacation. We hatched
an idea to rent a truck, fill it with much needed supplies, and drive
it to the Thai/Burma border for inside aid workers to pick up.

Less
than 24 hours later, we had established connections with the Chiang Mai
Rotary Club and through them the Royal Thai Air Force. We will confirm
the details in a meeting tomorrow, but there is talk of procuring us a
C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft to deliver supplies!

The beauty of
this initiative is that while other foreign aid has been refused and
caught up in red tape, Burma has been accepting help from its
neighbouring allies Thailand, India, and China. We have found a way to
funnel our own Canadian dollars, as well as those of family and friends
contributing to our cause, directly into a country where aid is so
sorely needed, and people are suffering and dying for lack of it.

We
are just two Canadians. But we are raising awareness among fellow
travelers (who are in turn raising awareness with their own families
and friends in their home countries), and many people who otherwise
might not have done anything are inspired to rise to the challenge of
filling this airplane.

Given the pain and suffering taking
place all too close to us, we could not ignore the situation. We are
just two, and some say it takes more to make a difference. Then again,
one more plane, one more truck, or just one more box full of
supplies….could save hundreds if not thousands of lives.

How can we not try?

If this story compells you, then please go to our blog here and make a donation. Even $5 will buy 20 bottles of water for those who are thirsty, hungry, and dying.
We are here, on the ground, and able to make a real difference. No middle men. No agencies. No red tape. No overhead. Just us.

We are gaining media attention for our efforts too. We gave a live interview for the BBC yesterday, and national Canadian newspapers are putting together stories. Travelers have taken our initiative to their own respective country media outlets too. This is real travel. Networking in a country where you can’t even figure out how to order a coffee, much less put together a huge life-saving operation. And seeing how other travelers, and the world can come together in the face of a hopeless situation to make a difference, no matter how big or small.

Stories of the military seizing goods and marking them with their names abound. Does that mean we should throw our hands up in the air and declare the situation hopeless? It is estimated that 1.5 million people could die as a result of a
severe lack of aid, and the insurgence of disease which is already
taking hold. Now that’s what I call hopeless.

I don’t care whose name is on the box. I care about the people who will benefit from the goods inside the box. I hope you do too.

13 responses to This is Real Travel: Traveling in Thailand, and Making a Difference in Burma

Julie Schwietert Collazo said on May 15, 2008

Awesome, Nora; thanks for sharing this news… this type of community building is what Matador is all about.
Nora Dunn said on May 15, 2008

Thank you all for your support! We are in the thick of it now, managing each situation as it comes. The good news is that we seem to have motivated an entire city (being Chiang Mai) into action, and our efforts are turning into an international cooperative.
How amazing it is to see people rise to a challenge and feel for their fellow humans in need!
Matthew Kepnes said on May 14, 2008

that’s awesome. it’s also awesome you can fly a plane!

are more people volunteering over there? i hear its hard to get into burma…
Christine Gilbert said on May 14, 2008

Wow you guys rock! Heading over to make a donation now…

–Christine

—–
My blog: almostfearless.com
Anne Merritt said on May 13, 2008

Wow, good luck with all your efforts! This was a great, inspiring post. Your resourcefulness and compassion make you both model travelers.
Hal Amen said on May 13, 2008

Incredible. Thank you so much for doing this. The two of you are an absolute inspiration.
Ben Buscheo said on May 12, 2008

wow what a way to spend a trip. turn a negative into a positive. and thanks for bringing us on board to help as well.
Justin Landrum said on May 12, 2008

Nora and Kelly – You are rock stars for doing this and I will send the blog link for donations around to my people. Go Go!
Turner Wright said on May 12, 2008

I’ll be headed your way next month and will see about any help I can give.
Nora Dunn said on May 12, 2008

Thank you so much for your support Lola – financial and otherwise!
Nora Dunn said on May 12, 2008

Hey Tim –
We had the good fortune to be up at You Sabai before we came back to Chiang Mai. And of course – we loved it! We hope to visit the crew there again after this is all said and done. We’ll need some relaxation time to be sure!
Lola Akinmade said on May 12, 2008

Nora/Kelly – Keep up the great work. We’ve been looking for ways to help that will have immediate impact, instead of funds sitting in a bank somewhere.
Tim Patterson said on May 12, 2008

good for you Nora! go go go, and best of luck! hope you still get a chance to visit you sabai.