International Tsunami Museum Story
By David Sattler and Rochelle Parry
Professor of Psychology David Sattler conducts projects around the world following natural disasters. In the months following the 2004 tsunami, his research team interviewed hundreds of survivors in shelters and temporary housing in Khao Lak, Thailand. Many survivors told them that they were fearful about future tsunami threats. They said they did not have a good understanding about the warning signs of a tsunami, how to evacuate, or how tsunamis form. They also were told that they did not realize how millions of people around the world pulled together to help those affected by the tsunami.
Something special happened when they were informed about these topics. Their fears diminished, and they were thankful for this information. Hearing about the worldwide response made them feed proud. It was then that David came up with the idea to build a nonprofit educational museum. A museum could provide this information to large numbers of people. A museum could help people understand the event that changed so many lives by showing how the Indian Ocean tsunami formed, showing how the tsunami affected the environment, and how foundations, organizations, businesses, and individuals around the world rallied to help. Exhibits in the museum also could discuss the warning signs of a tsunami and how to evacuate, and the new tsunami warning system being built in the Indian Ocean. The museum would show hope, resilience, and the human spirit, and help people move forward with their lives.
Beginning in late October, Rochelle Parry worked with David Sattler to put together an enormous amount of information into eight large exhibits from five to eleven feet long, in just a little over one month. Dr. Sattler wrote the text for the exhibits with the assitance of five WWU undergraduate students. He wrote the text in Word, with photographs supplied on cds. The images came from a variety of sources who willingly granted permission, as well from as David's personal collection.
Newspaper article about Thailand trip
