Here is the same neighborhood on December 28, 2004 just two days after the tsunami:

Photos from DigitalGlobe.

What is Helping Traditions doing to help with the tsunami disasters? Several things.

We are concentrating our efforts in the hardest hit areas of Indonesia, particularly Aceh in Sumatra. Helping Traditions is very well connected with local Christians who live in this area, both Filipinos and Indonesians who are on the ground in the area and fluent in the local dialects. Our Philippine representatives have worked in the area for years now with projects such as community health, livelihood projects, orphanage work, and gardening projects. There are short-term needs for medical and food supplies to the victims in the area, as well as long-term needs to rebuild communities that will take probably years. Helping Traditions is committed to a long-term ministry in the area to help people rebuild their lives. We are recruiting Filipino Christians from all over the Philippines with medical and other skills to go in on a rotational basis to meet the needs of the Indonesians who are suffering at this time. We are working together with many different faith-based Christian organizations to do this, as the need is substantial.

REHABILITATION AND LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS

Helping Traditions is continuing to provide support for the tsunami victims in Banda Aceh. As of July 2006, our efforts are on supporting local Indonesians who are still involved in food distribution and children's ministries. Livelihood projects have started and more are planned to help rebuild the local economy. One family was helped to start a coin purse and bag-making business. This family owned ten sewing machines and exported many of their goods before the tsunami hit. Another start-up business Helping Traditions is helping to fund is a bakery business selling cakes. Agricultural programs are also being funded. The focus now is on helping rebuild the economy and rebuilding local businesses and homes.

To contribute to the tsunami relief projects, please visit our giving page.

A house where women can come to cook. Feeding programs continue.	Our workers played games with children, many of whom still do not have homes to return to.
One rehabilitation project Helping Traditions is working with is a handicraft business, in this case making coin purses.	Another rehabilitation livelihood project is starting a bakery service.