OPERATION USA ECO-TOURISM SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDE HOPE
TO TSUNAMI SURVIVORS

On a beach in Khao Lak, Phuket in Thailand, the Eco-Tourism Training Center (ETC) semester is in full swing. Once tsunami survivors, a group of young dive students are on their way to becoming PADI certified Dive Masters and Instructors. Operation USA has so far awarded scholarships to twenty tsunami survivors to complete their dive training, allowing them to obtain jobs in the Thai dive industry and thereby multiplying their monthly income by as much as three times.

The ETC was formed in response to the 2004 Asian Tsunami and is located in the worst hit area of Thailand. Many of the students lost their jobs, homes and, in most cases, their loved ones on December 26, 2004.

“It’s a most ironic show of resilience in that they have learned to embrace the ocean as the key to their future,” says Reid Ridgway, ETC’s Founder and Director. “Out of last year’s graduates, four new PADI dive instructors and twelve PADI dive masters are now employed in the dive industry.”

The teaching and training that the young Thai students receive prepares them for a new career in environmental tourism. In addition, the ETC provides a significant community service effort to its local area. Throughout the nine-month program, an important emphasis is placed on environmental stewardship and community leadership.

“We are now embarking on our second year with a new group of 18 students,” says Reid . “Our aim is to top last year’s incredible journey.”   Operation USA is proud to support this unique project made possible thanks to the generous support of our donors.

03/2007