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As Managing Director of FOX Holidays in 2005 - 2006, I was very closely involved in the relief efforts in Sri Lanka. The devastating waves of the tsunami destroyed the villages of the south coast. Our entire company was very concerned about the fate of the people there. We organized immediate action to and responded to our colleagues and customers, many already familiar with Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. 
Because most victims were cases families of fisherman we decided to resupply the south and east coast with fishing boats, to enable them to get back to productive work and to supply food. This was an action of individuals, each donating Euro 1,000, or the cost of manufacture of one boat with fishing net. The donation was personalized: Each boat was presented to with the name of the donor to an individual family and each donor received a certificate with a photograph of the boat and fisherman. Our direct approach was without interference of intermediary agencies ensuring that every donated penny was put to work. This' personal 'action was a great success. More than 700 boats were provided to stricken fishermen and their families. If you ever go to Sri Lanka, you'll see the boats blue in colour and with a Dutch flagged name tag. 
During the 'boat project' I traveled often to Sri lanka. Wherever I came I saw disarray. Just 2 hours south of the capital Colombo, in the small village of Kosgoda had lost virtually everything. Their houses were totally destroyed, many were dragged into the sea. Many heads of family had been lost and all material things were gone. Those people remaining were completely without hope. They were only protected by huts improvised from the scraps of wood. At that moment, we could only provide some home by telling these people that help would come soon from the many agencies operating relief services. I left my business card behind at one of the monk. More than 2 months later, I was unexpectedly called at my home in Amsterdam by Kassapa, the monk with whom we left the word of encouragement and my business card. Except for rice and fresh drinking water had he seen something nobody from any form of assistance. There was no money and the situation was untenable. Three days later, I flew directly to see for myself. To my dismay, there nothing has changed. Absolutely nothing. 
I decided to move forward to help directly. Together, with a local contractor, a local business associate and a good architect, we went straight to work. We were ready to build in the very same week:. First 4 houses to 'learn' and then on a larger scale. There are now 50 homes in Kosgoda, built by the our team. We have 200 people happy people and given them and others hope for a better future. Such relief provides a true fulfillment and motivation to continue to build. This is the inspiration for the Orange Angel Foundation: There is much more to do. Our Orange Angel team in Sri Lanka consists of:
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