Aftter my second tour of Aceh in as many weeks, I am back to a massive pile on my desk, and people going crazy all around me. As soon as I finish my end of month reporting, I have stories, I have photos and I will post them. Dad, Ethan, I got your mail and will respond.
From behind the eight-ball,
Chris
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Nias News
Off the coast of Sumatra is a small island called Nias, a mostly undiscovered surfer's paradise. One of the least developed areas of Indonesia
Although only moderately affected by the earthquake and tsunamis of December 26, 2004, a series of strong earthquakes on March 28, 2005 crippled the island. destroying the majority of buildings taller than one story, closing the ports which provided access to mainland markets and family, and destroying roads, blocking access to many parts of the island. Samaritan's Purse responded immediately, with an initial assessment team on the ground the next day.
I was able to get to Nias shortly after, and was involved with medical evacuations. Through the course of the next few days, Samaritans’s Purse and Mission Aviation Fellowship were able to evacuate more than 200 people via helicopter from inaccessible areas of Nias to hospitals in
<- Pilot Roy Harris checks his load before lift-off
One of many medical evacuations ->
Chris on a medical evacuation flight
We continued in Nias throught the next three months, involved in managing a food distribution with the World Food Programme,
and distribution of tarpaulins and blankets to the tens of thousands left homeless, 
as well as supporting a water purification programme.
Well, today is Indonesian Independance Day, which gives me a chance to send a couple of posts! First, I had a great time at home, visiting with my family:
First, of course my sisters, here before Meredith's wedding.
Then, my brother-in-law Dan, here with his wedding night boxers!
Also, my dear dog, Kodi.
Not available for photos are the greatest, my parents and grandparents. When I get my photos of the wedding, they will be included in the photos!
First, of course my sisters, here before Meredith's wedding.
Then, my brother-in-law Dan, here with his wedding night boxers!
Also, my dear dog, Kodi.
Not available for photos are the greatest, my parents and grandparents. When I get my photos of the wedding, they will be included in the photos!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Where is Chris Sheach now?
Hello Everyone! This may very well be my last group email! I am creating a web space to post my bulletins and news items, so that I can deal with email letters on a one to one basis, without having to constantly repeat myself. You can find the web link below, please check back as often as you wish for photos and news, I really will not be upset if you never look, and are greatly relieved not to be getting mass emails from me. Also, please share this link with anyone you feel may be interested in my current status.
Just to recap, the last year of my life has been a momentous one. Last August, I was offered an internship with Samaritan’s Purse in Vietnam, working on a water filtration project. When the tsunamis struck in December, I was reposted to Indonesia, and offered a contract for the remainder of the year. I was still in Indonesia when my younger brother Alastair was killed in ahead-on collision near our home in Canada in February, but I was able to return home for three weeks. My first year with Samaritan’s Purse (SP) was completed in July, when I returned to Canada for my sister Meredith’s wedding and one month home leave. I returned to Indonesia August 7, to start my new contract for one year.
My position in Indonesia has primarily been in a support role, in logistics, procurement and operations management. SP currently has 17 different projects in the tsunami affected areas of Aceh province, and I am responsible to provide those projects with the materials, equipment and personnel necessary to complete the work. These projects include building houses, water and sanitation, building midwifery and health clinics, food distributions, various livelihood projects, such as agriculture and fishing, a women’s support and training centre, and computer training centres. I work closely with our Human resources manager, and the support teams at our 4 different bases of operation to keep the supply chain moving. I currently live in the city of Medan, an area not affected by the tsunami, but the largest urban centre on the island of Sumatra. This enables me to work with the airport and port facilities, and provides access to a much bigger purchasing supply of stores and manufacturers. This position may change in the very near future, and I will keep my new site updated.
If you have any specific questions, I really do want to hear from you, and don’t forget to share an update on your own lives as well!
From Indonesia,
Chris Sheach
Operations Manager, Medan
Samaritan's Purse Indonesia
Just to recap, the last year of my life has been a momentous one. Last August, I was offered an internship with Samaritan’s Purse in Vietnam, working on a water filtration project. When the tsunamis struck in December, I was reposted to Indonesia, and offered a contract for the remainder of the year. I was still in Indonesia when my younger brother Alastair was killed in ahead-on collision near our home in Canada in February, but I was able to return home for three weeks. My first year with Samaritan’s Purse (SP) was completed in July, when I returned to Canada for my sister Meredith’s wedding and one month home leave. I returned to Indonesia August 7, to start my new contract for one year.
My position in Indonesia has primarily been in a support role, in logistics, procurement and operations management. SP currently has 17 different projects in the tsunami affected areas of Aceh province, and I am responsible to provide those projects with the materials, equipment and personnel necessary to complete the work. These projects include building houses, water and sanitation, building midwifery and health clinics, food distributions, various livelihood projects, such as agriculture and fishing, a women’s support and training centre, and computer training centres. I work closely with our Human resources manager, and the support teams at our 4 different bases of operation to keep the supply chain moving. I currently live in the city of Medan, an area not affected by the tsunami, but the largest urban centre on the island of Sumatra. This enables me to work with the airport and port facilities, and provides access to a much bigger purchasing supply of stores and manufacturers. This position may change in the very near future, and I will keep my new site updated.
If you have any specific questions, I really do want to hear from you, and don’t forget to share an update on your own lives as well!
From Indonesia,
Chris Sheach
Operations Manager, Medan
Samaritan's Purse Indonesia
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