Letter from May Kaidee - A Call to Help Flood Victims
October 24, 2011
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues and Cherished Customers,
These are trying times. In the past decade Thailand has been hit hard by natural disasters and social unrest. I never imagined that we would again be facing a crisis so soon here at home. The full impact of the flooding has not yet come, and still there has already been much suffering as people have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
Hardship is not only being felt by the people of Thailand, but in so many other countries where citizens are enduring equally devastating natural disasters, struggling for social and economic justice, and in many cases fighting for their lives.
As I watch all of these events unfold it only reminds me how important it is for people around the world to help each other. We have been fortunate in that the May Kaidee company has not been directly affected by the flooding in Thailand, but have watched as nearly all surrounding areas have been directly affected by this disaster, including many parts of Bangkok. In my home province in North-East Thailand it's estimated that as many as 500,000 people are now unemployed due to factories being shut down from rising water levels. Most factory workers struggle to feed their families while employed, so now after losing their jobs the ability to support families will become much more difficult.
Up until now I haven't publicized my plan to use the May Kaidee company, which I worked so hard to build over the past 25 years, to create a better world for all of us to live by giving back to communities. The flooding in Thailand has prompted me to accelerate my plan and I've mobilized a team to begin helping people where needed, providing clean water, food, shelter and jobs. After we pull through this latest crisis in Thailand I will begin to explore the best way to help communities outside of my home country in times of need, many of which have caught my attention recently such as the latest earthquake in Turkey, massive drought in the Horn of Africa, and the economic recession in the U.S and Europe.
I have already instructed our staff to provide temporary shelter to people who have been displaced by the floods. Next we will begin to deliver food and supplies to areas that have either directly or indirectly been affected by this disaster. I am personally overseeing our relief operation to ensure that the maximum impact is made based on the financial contributions we receive, and I look forward to reporting back to everyone our accomplishments in the coming weeks and months.
I invite you to join me in assisting those who are less fortunate than us. Take care and be safe.
Sincerely,
May Kaidee
May Kaidee watching the beginning of the flooding on Samsen Road in Bangkok, Thailand - October 23, 2011