Ny sida 1

Kom Yi Peng, means lantern in Thai and is a symbol of a

congratulation. To lit a lantern as a memory of dead people,

is an old tradition. We have chosen this symbol to

associate to light, warmth and care.

This project was started by Sidsel J. Svestad, supported by her husband Per Morten Dahl. They both were hit by the tsunami at X-mas 2004.

"During the tsunami 26th of December Per Morten and I were taken by the big wave on Karon Beach. We returned again at Easter to work through our impressions. Meeting with the local people, who helped us at X-mas has created a strong and durable relationship. We were brought back home by a Norvegian help crew and got treatment here in Norway. Then we had to keep up with our lives by ourselves. In gratitude to the local people, which we met in Thailand, we decided to start ”Kom Yi Peng” exhibition."

We bought many beautiful batik paintings made by children in the refuge camps in Khao Lak. The children painted the pictures as one step in a therapy in the period after the tsunami.

The pictures were brought home to Norway and framed there. Our idea is that these pictures shall be lent out at different occasions. Schools, enterprises and organizations are target groups.

We have a total of 37 pictures. From these we have selected 4 to print as cards. 4 cards with envelopes can be bought to a price of US$ 15. This may be a good gift article which will support our project.

The money from the 'Kom Yi Peng' exhibition will be used to start a resource centre for help to self-help in Thailand . Art, culture and manufacturing will be the most important activities in the start.

In connection to the centre we will further develop the School of Hope which gives a broad support to distressed children in Thailand . We have already established a godfather arrangement in Norway and Sweden .

Sidsel J. Svestad is specialized in SPA and natural therapy. Before this she worked 26 years with insurance. Today she is working on how people may further develop their resources and get along with their lives after crises. She has also arranged journeys to Thailand with motto: Health, pleasure and joy give you a new vitality.

Sidsel comes from Hedmarken - and she could not get a better name for the exhibition than this: ”Kom gi pæng”, which in Norwegian means "Come give money".

Sidsel J. Svestad
Nordåsveien 27
1415 Oppegård

Mobil 93 40 33 02

Telefon 66 99 25 15

Bankkonto 9713 47 26273

post@komyipeng.com