Lest we forget
December 29, 2005
Immediately prior to Christmas, I contacted Eduardo Loigorri, the man who brought us Exchequer Software . As an aside, Eduardo was one of the first to pioneer collaboration among accounting products.
He was in Thailand when the tsunami struck in 2004 and has been spearheading relief efforts in the area on his frequent visits to that part of the world. I had contacted Eduardo as I was one of the first people he spoke to at the time. I recall the situation vivdly, talking to him over a poor GSM line to Phuket. Last year, I advised a number of press colleagues about the situation as they had much better outlets than I at the time.
This year, I promised I would post an entry when I heard from him. Today is that day. Altough a little delayed from the date Eduardo originally wrote, he says (in part):
"I have just returned from a trip to see the latest batch of boats being completed in Krabi. There were five in total and although I did not specifically ask that they be finished first, all the boats completed were the tributes to Theo van Dort and named in association with him as the boat builders knew of his passing away and what it meant to me.
The thought that Theo’s spirit lives on in part through these boats is very poignant and fitting to a man who himself was very much a free spirit. I was also told that a group of the fishermen have saved up some money and want to hold a service to thank the trust and also remember all those who lost their lives within their respective fishing communities. It will soon be a year since the tsunami struck, and this will be a difficult time for many of the families. I have accepted their invitation but also told them at as well as honouring the dead we should also celebrate those who survived.Even after all this time, there is no shortage of fishermen still in desperate need of boats. Every time I visit these fishermen more come and ask to meet me with sad stories of hardship, broken promises from the government to supply boats, and a desperate desire to get back to the life they know. I am still humbled by their determination to rebuild their lives in a dignified and honourable way. Many of those who we have donated boats to are alternating the days they use them so it can be shared with those less fortunate. Sometimes it staggers me to see such a selfless community sprit amongst these very poor people.
I had imagined that one year on, things would begin to wind down as far as the trust was concerned, but there is no sign of it so far. Although most of the trust funds have been exhausted, I am determined to continue the work here, I find it impossible to ignore the pleas for help which continue to reach me."
There’s little to add except to express my personal admiration for a person who has put aside his professional life to give something to a people who have been blighted. That takes dedication and courage. If you are interested in donating to the continuing relief effort then be assured that 100% of all monies collected go towards relief efforts.
For those that don’t know, Theo Van Dort was the founder of TAS Books and the inspiration behind BASDA , the trade association behind much of the software that is in use in accounting departments and offices in the UK.
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