Kevin and Sandra Forkan were two parents from England who loved to travel and go on adventures. They spent many years on their own globetrotting across exotic countries and remote locations, and decided that they wanted to raise their children abroad to broaden their horizons. The Forkans made the bold decision and pulled their children, Rob, Paul, Mattie, and Rosie out of their comfortable English lifestyle, sold their family home, and moved across the world to live in India. It was 2001, and Kevin and Sandra didn’t have any concrete plans of what they wanted to do, however they knew that they loved India. The family started working and volunteering at local charities as they wanted to help the locals who were struggling in poverty. After a year in India, the family again packed their bags to move to Sri Lanka without realizing that this move would change their lives forever.
It was December 26th and the family just finished celebrating Christmas at the Neptune Resort in the coastal town of Weligama. Rob Forkan was stirred from his sleep by the sound of flowing water. He arose from bed to find about of an inch of water on the floor. Rob attempted to wake his 15-year old brother up as the situation seemed very bizarre. That’s when the screaming began. All around them Rob and Paul heard a variety of people screaming and fearing for their lives as a low rumbling sound engulfed them. The brothers found themselves in the middle of the 2004 tsunami that devastated the entire region. Their room quickly began filling up with water, and soon the brothers found themselves swimming for their lives. A massive wave of water hit their hotel as Rob and Paul feared for their lives, and the lives of the rest of their family who were nowhere to be found.
The brothers made their way to the roof of the building, and soon began to realize just how dire the situation actually was. Their parents took their younger siblings, Mattie and Rosie, to another part of the hotels property. Rob and Paul found themselves surrounded by water that contained debris, rubble, and many floating bodies: it was truly a nightmare. Suddenly as the waters began to calm down Rob noticed his 12-year old brother Mattie clinging to a tree that was just above the water. He swam out to his brother to save him, just in time as the waters began to recede as the next wave of the tsunami was about to hit. Mattie told him that their parents had hoisted Rosie and Mattie up onto the top of a local building, fighting for their lives against the current. Eventually as the waters calmed down and receded, the boys would then start searching for their younger sister, eventually finding her alive. They would soon learn that this was the last time that they ever saw their parents, as their lives were tragically taken by the tsunami. The third-largest earthquake ever recorded was responsible for the devastation that destroyed many towns and cities, in addition to claiming the lives of some 230,000 people. After the tragedy ended, the Forkans would fly back to England to live with their older sister Marie and Jo in an attempt to reclaim their lives. It was an emotional and sad time for the family and all parties involved.
Fortunately the Forkans had many friends and family members who would help support them. The children when back to school, and Rob and Paul completed their education. Uncertain of what to do next, Rob and Paul then began traveling the world in an attempt to find themselves. They quickly realized that they wanted to do something to honor their parents and give back to those that were less fortunate than they were. Rob and Paul then came up with the idea to create a flip flop company, Gandys Flip Flops, as that was the primary footwear that the Forkans and many others of India, South Asia, and Indonesia would wear. With the help of an anonymous investor, the brothers were able to grow the flip flop company into a multi-million dollar company. Their business model revolved around the charity that they founded, Orphans for Orphans, and a percentage of all of their sales would go towards constructing orphanages in impoverished areas of the world.
Today, Gandys Flip Flops and Orphans for Orphans have helped countless children across the world, and the brothers have really made a name for themselves. Their flip flop line is extremely expansive, and they have various styles for everyone. Rob and Paul, and the rest of the Forkans, were faced with great adversity brought about from the tsunami and the death of their parents. They could have let the tragedy consume them, however through hard work and determination they were able to give something back to those less fortunate than them and attempt to reconcile with their past. If you want to purchase some of their flip flops, or find out more information about the brothers and their charity, then head on over to their website: gandysflipflops.com
Photo from thetimes.co.uk/Jack Hill
