Helping to Rebuild Homes and Lives: XanGo Aids Thai Fishing Village Devastated by Tsunami
LEHI, UT—January 2006—A little over a year ago, a devastating tsunami destroyed a small fishing village on the island of Ko Prah Thong, several hours north of Phuket. Over 100 lives were lost in the disaster among a village population of 700. Ko Prah Thong villagers who survived were devastated; their homes and loved ones were violently swept away.
Last year, Xango, LLC, (www.xango.com) a Utah-based company direct sales company offering a premium dietary supplement beverage, XanGo® Juice, partnered with a German foundation, Farang Jai Dee (in Thai, this means “foreigner with a heart”) to rebuild this village, as well as the lives of 110 people.
XanGo’s partnership is helping villagers reconstruct 32 homes as well as their infrastructure with the goal of helping these families become self-sustaining. In addition, the XanGo-led initiative is teaching the villagers new crafts – they are learning to construct fishing boats that can be sold to other fishermen, and they are learning to build model ships to sell to tourists in Phuket and other tourist areas.
“True rebuilding in Ko Prah Thong had to happen on several levels,” said XanGo Executive Vice President Gordon Morton. “In addition to laying the foundation of new homes, XanGo really wanted to help villagers regain their sense of home, their sense of empowerment through the devastation they endured. These special education programs give villages and their families ownership in something valuable and gives them a strong sense of pride, after all they had known was decimated by the tsunami.”
Recognized creator of the mangosteen supplement category, XanGo has special affinity for Southeast Asia, the homeland of the “Queen of Fruits.” Mangosteens for XanGo Juice originate on the best farms in the region.
“As an international company generating tremendous growth, XanGo believes in supporting the nations and communities where the company dies business. We want to be a central, contributing part of the communities we serve, such as Ko Prah Thong. As a market leader, XanGo also aims to set a charitable standard and share our success,” said Morton, who leads the company’s worldwide philanthropic program.
XanGo created a new category of supplements when it became the first company to market a premium mangosteen beverage, XanGo Juice, to consumers worldwide. Already the principle donor to Operation Kids, an umbrella organization serving children’s needs throughout the world, XanGo is familiar with charity, as the heart of its business is grounded in philanthropic roots.
XanGo also actively supports numerous philanthropic causes worldwide through monetary donations, advisory board participation, volunteer programs and partnerships in medical expeditions, community education and humanitarian efforts.
One such cause is XanGo’s support of an annual medical expedition through Hope Alliance, which lends medical support to the indigenous populations of remote areas in the world. Medical professionals treat young patients, dispense necessary supplies and educate local health practitioners on valuable skills and life-saving techniques, all with the goal of setting up long-term, self-sustaining health programs that will have a dramatic, positive and long-lasting impact on the children and families in those communities.
Completion of the Ko Prah Thong village reconstruction project is expected in 2007. XanGo’s financial commitment to the Thai village is over $200,000. Morton and his brother Joe have visited the village three times over the last year to observe the construction progress, visit the displaced families at the tent city and meet the monk who allowed the families to stay on temple grounds. Other founders have made visits as well.
During a recent trip to the construction site, Morton found that all 32 dwellings are under construction, and six fishing boats are in the water. “The project is really moving ahead,” he said, “and it is gratifying to see the look of hope back in the eyes of the villagers.”
For more information on charitable and business opportunities with XanGo, visit www.xango.com.