This 'Flood Relief' donation box was made from a shoe box by my friend who attended the first Wipe The Tied movement. This movement can involve anyone from anywhere that has the heart and will to help Thailand overcome this ongoing catastrophe by breaking into groups and collecting money on busy streets and malls. Members who began the Wipe The Tide movement have already held three events and are planning on the fourth. Because of my own situation at home, I could not attend the first three events, but the sponsors of this movement assured me they would be holding more. My friend made this donation box on the first event, which is why I chose this particular photo.
Clearly some people who are not affected by the floods take a more selfish approach to the current disaster. Merchants and shop owners are increasing the prices of their products for their own financial gain. I feel that this kind of thinking is extremely unethical. The victims of the floods are in need of certain materials and products, especially after having lost their homes/possessions, yet these merchants are taking advantage of their trouble. To realize that some people are only looking at the floods as a "playing field" for their own gain disgusts me. This is why I feel that what my friend and the people volunteering and are involved in the Wipe The Tide movements are extremely inspirational and are the hearts that will help Thailand move on.
To think that people are willing to come out at times of need to help those who are suffering is not only inspirational but creates a sense of hope. On the first Wipe The Tide event, my friend informed me that they collected an approximated total of 27k. On week 2, approximately 130thousand baht and week 3, approximately 328thousand baht was collected. I feel that this is such a huge achievement and immediately wanted to take part as well. What this photo and the entire concept of the Wipe The Tide movement means to me is that even while people no longer have a home to return to or are arguing over political issues causing the floods, citizens of Thailand are still willing to unite and lend a hand because of the love they have for their country. It gives me confidence that Thailand is 100% capable of overcoming this dilemma and restore the happy faces of the Land of Smiles.
This is a photo of the donation box I made and a photo of me participating in the fourth Wipe the Tide movement:
Here's the Facebook link to the Wipe The Tide movement: https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=227949590601513
