The Third Wave

by Alison Thompson

  • Flashlights and batteries are a must. A light that secures on your head is perfect for leaving your hands free when you’re working in the dark.

  • I’ve found that the following miscellaneous items always come in handy: glow sticks, waterproof matches, rubber gloves, plastic garbage bags, two walkie-talkies, rope, duct tape, a Swiss Army knife, a watch, and a compass.

  • It’s hard to know in advance where you will be sleeping, so pack a small tent and a fold-up yoga mat. I’ve found that light, silk sleeping bags, which fold up into the size of your hand, come in handy and don’t take up too much space. If you’re going to a country where malaria is a problem, bring along a mosquito net to protect yourself while you sleep.

  • You should be able to rely on the local food wherever you are going, but it is always a good idea to take along a decent supply of energy bars to tide you over until you can find something more substantial to eat.

  • To make friends fast and to put a smile on a sad child’s face, take along stickers, bubbles, pencils, or any other small, cheap toys.

  • I recommend bringing the following items of clothing:

  • Two light, long-sleeved tops to protect your skin from sunburn and to wear during religious ceremonies

  • One pair of long pants for walking through jungle areas and for cold nights

  • One light sweater

  • One light, cotton, below-the-knee skirt or a pair of knee-length shorts to wear on scorching-hot days

  • Two pairs of sturdy cotton underwear (no G-strings—they will give you rashes in the heat) and two cotton bras

  • Cotton socks

  • One bathing suit to wear in outdoor showers or for swimming on a day off

  • A pair of flip-flops to wear in the shower and for relaxing

  • Army boots or sturdy walking shoes are a must. You will probably end up walking in the jungle or in mountainous areas. Expect to be wearing your shoes for fifteen hours a day, so invest a little money in them.

  • Bring along one piece of nice clothing. You never know when you’re going to be rerouted home through Paris or when you’ll meet a cute guy or girl and go off for a nice dinner. I always like to pack a little black dress that doesn’t take up much space in my suitcase or wrinkle easily. Men should bring along a collared shirt. Many third-world countries have expat bars with strict dress codes that require men to wear a collared shirt. You will thank me if you’re craving a beer.

  • Keep camera equipment light. I always bring along a small digital camera with a separate hard drive to store lots of extra photos and a small, handheld video camera with rechargeable batteries that can be plugged into a car.

  • Take plenty of cash. You might not be able to find an ATM where you’re going. Small bank notes—singles, fives, tens, and twenties—are easy to tip with and use at local markets. Getting change for a fifty or a one-hundred-dollar bill can be problematic. Try to raise some extra cash donations from friends and family before you leave home.

  • A small handbook on the local language can be a lifesaver.

  • Buy a return air ticket in advance. Remember, if things get too tough you can always go home.

  • Don’t forget to have faith—in yourself, the universe, God, or whatever you believe in. And leave behind your fear! It’s an adventure, so GO FOR IT!

  Even if you can’t travel to volunteer in a disaster area, there are still many ways to help. Some great organizations to donate to, including several that I am involved with, are:

  • We Advance (weadvance.org): A grassroots movement empowering Haitian women to collaborate toward making healthcare a priority, and putting an end to gender-based violence within their communities, run by Maria Bello, Aleda Frishman, and me. Our clinic serves more than two hundred women per day and offers services ranging from gynecological care to the reporting of gender-based violence and referrals for women most at risk.

  • The Clinton Foundation: Works to alleviate poverty, improve global health, strengthen economies, and protect the environment by fostering partnerships among governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and private citizens. The money Bill Clinton raises trickles down to even the smallest NGOs and actually reaches the people. I am enormously grateful for the generous funding The Clinton Foundation has provided for We Advance.

  • Community Tsunami Early-Warning Center (CTEC; communitytsunamiwarning.com): The only tsunami warning center in Sri Lanka, created by Dr. Novil and me after the Asian tsunami disaster. Manned by trained officers twenty-four hours a day, CTEC provides the tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, who continue to live in fear, with a reliable source of information on earthquake activity. CTEC relies on private funding for its existence.

  • J/P Haitian Relief Organization (Jphro.org): After the 2010 Haitian earthquake, Sean Penn and I flew to Haiti with a team of doctors. Sean found himself in charge of 65,000 internally displaced people and a field hospital. Sean Penn manages the camp, and all the money donated goes straight to helping the Haitian people.

  • Prodevhaiti.org: A Haitian organization concentrating on education and rebuilding schools that were destroyed in the 2010 Haitian earthquake. I know them personally and they are fully committed to their work.

  • Boys & Girls Harbor (http://boysandgirlsharbor.net): Founded by Tony Duke, the original volunteer and my hero. The mission of Boys & Girls Harbor is to empower children and their families to become full, productive participants in society through education, cultural enrichment, and social services.

  • Claudio Reyna Foundation: Run by Claudio Reyna, the former captain of the U.S. soccer team, the foundation offers free soccer instruction and after-school tutoring for low-income innercity children. They do beautiful work in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey.

  • Global DIRT (Global Disaster Immediate Response Team; Globaldirt.org): Currently dedicates all of its manpower and resources to providing relief to the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. I have worked with them for over a year and they are real heroes, cutting through red tape and bureaucracy to get help straight to the people.

  You can also volunteer any day of the week within your own community. Volunteering can be for ten minutes or a few hours or a day, and it does make a difference in people’s lives. To volunteer at home, go to your local American Red Cross, Volunteers of America, or Youth With a Mission chapter.

  BRIGHT LIGHTS

  I am thankful to the many loving people in my life who have inspired me to write this book:

  Oscar Gubernati, for our journey through the very good and trying times. You are a real hero, a loyal friend, and I will always love you. Bruce French and Donny Paterson, my tsunami partners and loving brothers. Keith, Joan, Lyndall, Geoffrey, and Stephen Thompson, my family, who always show me unconditional love and support (and their wives, Jenny and Annie, and their children: Cal, Jessica, Nick, Jai, and Maddy). Jenny, you are a hero to me.

  Chris Murphy, my might in shining karma, for your solid friendship and belief in me. Bill Clinton, for his tireless efforts for the tsunami, Haiti, and mankind. Our paths have crossed many times. The money Bill raised did get to Haiti and trickled down to my small work. Thank you.

  Laura Yorke, my literary agent and kind friend. Thank you for your friendship and belief in me, and for your inspiring amazing recovery. Carol Mann and her agency, for believing in my story. Cindy Spiegel and Julie Grau at Spiegel & Grau, for their kind trust and vision. MeiMei Fox, an incredible woman, who made me look like a better writer than I am, and for her enlightened spirit. Hana Landes, for her honesty and perseverance in editing the book and her beam of light. Anderson Cooper, my hero who inspired me to go to Sri Lanka.

  Tom and Sarah Brokaw, for your support and love in action.

  Donna Karan, for your belief in me and for your deep caring heart for others.

  Marni Lewis, for your constant love and support and uplifting spirit. You have always been there for me and have always said yes to me. Lola Cohen
, my mentor and friend, an incredible lady in such a small package. Sonja Nuttall, a true egoless spirit who puts beauty, love, and others first. Petra Nemcova, a true-life angel who has supported me through her happy-hearts.org fund and introduced the Third Wave film to Sean Penn.

  Tony Duke, the original volunteer and founder of Boys and Girls Harbor. David Perez, a shelter from the storm. Connie Tarrant, for her grace and love.

  Randy Slavin, my American brother, and his incredible family, my other family.

  Skylar Casey, my rock and secret angel. Dr. Novil Wijesekara, a humble soul who strives hard for humankind, making this world a better place, Sri Lanka’s hero and prince.

  Doug Kennedy, for his loyalty and volunteerism, never asking for anything in return. Captain Barry, my favorite volunteer and person on planet earth, who shows a constant kindness and positive energy toward others. Aleda Frishman, one tough, sweet hardworking woman filled with love for women’s rights and everyone. You are a remarkable woman. Morgan Spurlock and Jo Amodei, for funding and supporting the Third Wave film and for being great men. Dave Pederson and Richard Belfiore, for recognizing the potential of the story and for showing it to Morgan, Jo, and Jeremy. Kym and Callen Anthony, for constant support and raising the money for a new school in Sri Lanka. David Dibo, who traveled in a snowstorm in Michigan to buy me a plane ticket to Sri Lanka. The Honorable Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and his family, the “godfather” to Peraliya village. A good and honest politician who crossed over from politics to become a volunteer and was later assassinated by a suicide bomber. Aung San Suu Kyi, for her struggle against tyranny for freedom and dignity. Dr. Henry Jarecki and Tony Detre, for constant support and air tickets. Michael Mucci and family, for your love and support. Phil Marber, for constant support and friendship. Judy Shipley and Dr. Connors, for their medical support for my missions. David Magdaela, a wonderful human being. Melinda Roy and Taylor Poarch, my other favorite people in the world. Nicole and Courtney Ross, beautiful angels who flew forward to help us.

  General Keene and General Trombitas, for excellent command and fatherlike qualities. The U.S. Army 82nd Airborne: Lieutenant Colonel Foster and Lieutenant Colonel McFayden and their men, for excellent leadership and fine gentlemanly qualities. Christine Blood, for her support and inspiring ability to laugh in the darkest of moments. Roshan Waduthantri, my CTEC manager; you are our hero, you never give up in our darkest moments. CTEC officers, my undying support. Jonathan Connors, my dear friend who died in the 9/11 attacks, and all the other people stolen from earth that day. Katie Murphy, my best friend, a constant rock and true support. Hayley Armstrong, for your inspiring hard work, determination, and kind love for others. Sarah Cooley, for the sunshine you bring into everyone’s life. Todd Shea, who has carried his volunteering from 9/11 to the tsunami and has never given up on his work in Pakistan. Peter Demas and Cedar Daniels, for editing the Third Wave film and for their full support. Larry Buck, for his faith and love for humanity. George Papoutsis, my old landlord who has been like a father to me. Samantha Aezen, who kept the “home base” going while we were away. Sato, always kindness. Warren Buffett, who inspires me through his books to look at the bigger picture. Mary Louise Cole Wood, what a broad you are! With a kind soul. And to all my ladies, Deborah, Monika, Maria, and Shauna. Margaret and Ron Simpson, my other family of whom I am very proud. Julie Santos, for stepping forward without fear. I am so, so proud of you, my crazy rocker angel. Cassidy, for watching my back in Haiti. Michael Taylor, for constant support and faith. Savani, the sweetest and purest girl in the tsunami village. Chief, my Sri Lankan grandfather and comrade. Faine, you are love itself. Andrea Lenier, for stepping forward and coming to Haiti. Stefan, the puppet and human master. Helen Gracie, a safe haven in the storm. To Erika, London, Laura, and Lon, thank you. Pastor Cyncre, a fine man of God, a hero and dear friend. Luciani, you gave me wheels, freedom, and love.

  Bill Evans, president of Pétionville Club. You are a gentleman and at all times you tried hard to help and please everyone at a great cost to yourself.

  To all the volunteers who came and went to all the disasters.

  Maria Bello, a sweet, caring, beautiful, intelligent angel, my hero who looked after me in Haiti and continues to do so every day. I love you.

  To Sean, you are Haiti’s hero, and I unconditionally love you.

  Albert Abelardo Gomez. The man I love. Will you marry me?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ALISON THOMPSON was born on the outskirts of Sydney in the Australian bush. The daughter of a preacher, she has lived in over forty countries around the world. A former mathematics theorist, teacher, and medic, she has an ongoing passion for camping under the stars in Africa. In 1990 she moved to New York and became an investment banker on Wall Street, later enrolling at NYU film school. Thompson works as a full-time volunteer and is fondly known in Sri Lanka as the “Angel of Galle.” She runs CTEC, the only tsunami early-warning center in Sri Lanka. In January 2010, Thompson went with actor Sean Penn and ten doctors to Haiti to help with the earthquake aftermath. They ended up running an internally displaced person camp and field hospital for over 65,000 people. With actress Maria Bello and Aleda Frishman, Thompson founded We Advance, an organization that deals with gender-based violence, protecting the brutally raped women and children of Haiti. In 2010 Thompson was awarded the Order of Australia, the highest civilian medal awarded by Queen Elizabeth II of England for her volunteer work and her contribution to mankind. Her documentary film about volunteering in Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami was screened at the 2008 Cannes film festival. For more information about the film, please visit www.thethirdwavemovie.com.

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