An Update on the Work at the Phil Keillor Marine Research Institute in Thailand
By Mark Hanson
As some of you know, Chuck Gietzel, Joyce Boggess, and I have been working with Jim Gustafson at the Global Development Network (GDN). We have been blessed in this work and give thanks for God’s guidance. One of the major activities in the work in south Thailand is the establishment of a Marine Research Institute that has been named for Phil Keillor. The following are excerpts from an article that can be found on the GDN website www.gdnc.org which describes some of the work at the Institute. We hope that you are inspired by this witness of God’s work.
The Phil Keillor Marine Research Institute (PKMRI) and the Center for HIV/AIDS Affected Communities (CHAC) in Southern Thailand are an integral part of GDN’s Thai affiliate’s Sustainable Development Research Foundation’s (SDRF) strategy to create sustainable development for at risk communities in Thailand through a focus on a sustainable, ecologically-sound fisheries industry, helping not only the devastated fishing villages and families of tsunami-affected areas of Southern Thailand, but also connecting to HIV/AIDS communities in the region. CHAC also provides medical and other social support for communities.
The PKMRI, working with the Fisheries Department of Thailand, is at the cutting edge of fisheries research while also serving local communities by providing a replenishment of fish to local coastal areas, training and stock for local fish farms, reforestation of coastlines, work opportunities for community members, and revenues from fish and pearl sales. In addition, the PKMRI is extending its expertise and service to HIV/AIDS communities through its collaboration with CHAC. The PKMRI is making preparations to provide training and fish stock to CHAC members to establish fish farming among their communities. This partnership of the PKMRI with CHAC is bringing God’s love to Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians learning from each other as they work together to meet the needs of their communities.
In light of the Global Development Network’s (GDN) ongoing partnership with SDRF in projects throughout Thailand, and the expertise and passion of one of its founding board members, Philip Keillor, the Boards of Directors of SDRF and GDN both unanimously approved the naming of the Marine Research Institute for Phil in January 2011. As followers of Christ, we truly believe that Phil’s lifelong dual concerns for coastal engineering and care for God’s creation and for the care for the “least of these” is reflected in the missions of the PKMRI and CHAC. Phil would especially find joy in seeing the PKMRI’s research and expertise applied in such an immediate, tangible way in peoples’ lives.
Philip Keillor Marine Research Institute (PKMRI)
The PKMRI is located in the fishing communities on the island of Kho Yao (approximately 14,000 Muslims) on the west coast of Thailand near the resort city Phuket. It is a research and community development facility that provides a source of quality fish fingerlings (white sea bass, estuary grouper and salt water tilapia) for these communities to raise in their floating cages. PKMRI has a potential to impact the surrounding islands. The potential here is substantial as it extends to the whole Phung Nga and Phuket provinces. In addition to the research and production of fish, there is work on oysters for pearl production and spiny lobsters. The institute provides local jobs and income, fish stock for the region and the planned CHAC fish farms, and helps to restore depleted wild fisheries.
The PKMRI is located on two acres of land and mangroves and consists of two main buildings with research and fishery rearing equipment, office area in an adjacent SDRF Administration Building located on site, board walk and dock, two research boats, vehicles, and various floating fish pens and oyster rearing facilities located in a beautiful bay.
The PKMRI is in the planning and infrastructure development process to provide fish fingerlings and training support for CHAC communities that are located further south and on the east coast of Thailand near the Malaysia border. The CHAC communities are coordinating with the PKMRI in their planning and investment activities in raising fish in floating cages in river estuaries. The staff of the PKMRI will be responsible for setting up the CHAC fish farm and for training the CHAC staff to run it. Over 600 members of the growing CHAC communities will be impacted by this livelihood focused extension of PKMRI….. Please keep the work of the PKMRI in your prayers and I hope you can attend the reception for Jim Gustafson in September.