First of Year 2008 brings reports of special contributions from FAIRS members and volunteers.
Larsen delegation, Seth Sjoestroem SM0XBI, and Tom King W4VZH all make working trips to the Commonwealth of Dominica.
David KK4WW/J79WW and Gaynell KK4WWW/J79WWW
FAIRS Continues Goodwill Work – Interest in Ham Radio Grows
David and Gaynell Larsen and Granddaughter Amber Thompson…
Just before New Years 2008, a FAIRS delegation-David KK4WW/J79WW and Gaynell KK4WWW/J79WWW Larsen, FAIRS directors, and their granddaughter Amber Thompson (who turned 13 in January, a student at Floyd Elementary)- traveled to Dominica, with the chief purpose of helping specific groups progress in service to their communities.
“A long trip…”, according to Gaynell, with delayed flights and overnight stays, “it was cold when we left Baltimore, but was 75-80 degrees in Dominica with heavy rains in Wotten Waven, where we stay.” A New Year’s Day arrival meant that nearly all businesses and offices were closed, so the group hiked up to Trafalgar Falls and then went down to town for a little shopping. Outings with Dominican friends to the botanical gardens, and a whale watch (saw 7 big whales, and a baby one!), were highlights.
Work began when Conrad Jederon J73CAJ accompanied the group to headquarters for emergency communications, to show off recent site improvements: Site security, some recent construction and A/C electrical, septic and plumbing. Most recently, FAIRS helped to add a restroom- they purchased commodes, basins, etc. FAIRS also presented the center with a diesel generator to use for emergency power. Volunteers continue to be trained at this facility, and another class of locals has just completed a course in order to be of service during disaster.
Dominica is prone to hurricanes – Dean was the latest scare, and caused extensive damage to banana and citrus fruit crops; the heavy rains meant several mudslides, and 2 deaths are blamed on Dean. “The whole island just waits, endures, and then cleans up after devastation”, says a Dominican citizen.
The FAIRS group visited the fishing village of Castle Bruce, and carried pizzas and juice (made “special” by Helen Henry) for the kids; they were really excited! Joseph Guiste J73JT has been working well with a team of volunteers for disaster preparedness, and filled Dave KK4WW/J79WW in on all the latest. They all made a visit to the clinic there (a nebulizer, glucometer & diabetic testing strips were given, along with other over-the-counter medicines) and, afterward, Dave met with the some of the 17 new amateur radio operators in the village. “They are so excited about having their licenses and getting the radios we sent them. They are on the air every minute and I think really getting prepared for any emergency that might come along!! Villagers requested to receive Bibles (readily available in the U.S., but not there); approx. 100 were distributed. Monetary assistance was given to help the children’s feeding and after-school programs, which have continued in the village for many years now, with help. A new pre-school program has begun in a newly renovated facility in the basement of a church in Castle Bruce. Program leaders are hoping to increase the number of children enrolled, as people become aware of the valuable service.
The last project “follow-up” was to the Love One, Teach One Foundation operated by Gloria Walsh. She runs another feeding/tutoring program in an area outside the capital of Roseau. The children in the “Silver Lick” area in need of a morning feeding program for the children – they stop there along their walk to school. Then, when they return in early afternoon, they are fed a little lunch and helped with their homework. Last year, FAIRS helped Gloria with a summer project – she had activities for the children each day (this helped keep them out of trouble, which is a problem, due to a general lack of supervision; some children do not even live with their parents), and snacks.
At one point during the trip, American visitors (friends of FAIRS from Radford in Virginia- Denise and Johnny Garrett of Claytor Lake Water Sports) arrived to see what all the excitement was about on this tiny island. They came ashore from a cruise ship, carrying a large suitcase of medical supplies for the hospital (delivered to Ramona and the staff there. How gracious of the Garretts to do this transport!). They were impressed by the “sights”, and took lots of pictures; they loved Clement Pierre-Louis’ (J73CPL) gardens, and Ti Gwen Glo Cho as “favorite places”. It seems they will be going back to Dominica in the future!! More and more volunteers are spending significant time and resources (there are a few skilled folks headed to the island by end of January to spend several weeks) to help along the improvements that the Dominicans have hoped and asked for.
Here at home, in Floyd County and surrounding areas, FAIRS has helped to increase interest in ham radio and goodwill work. Once she was aware of the need, Rhonda Vaughn from here in Floyd who gave the nebulizer she no longer needed which was donated for use in the Carib Indian Territory –they were overjoyed!!!! Many Floyd County residents are in tune with charitable activities, here locally and abroad, and supply as they can.
Current ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) Emergency Coordinator for Floyd County, Tom King W4VZH has worked with FAIRS at many functions with event stations, booths, and by special press– to make folks aware of our ability to provide emergency help and training in our local area. Recently, monthly meetings of the ARES group at FAIRS E.C.C. have been well attended with the offering of some specialized training. Members of the group practice once a week on the (air) radio. Operators from the local area and several nearby counties “check in” for this exercise – Tuesday evenings at 9pm on local ham radio frequency 146.745 MHz.
Seth Sjoestroem SM0XBI/J79XBI
Seth Sjoestroem spends several weeks of a year on the island of Dominica, making significant contribution by his volunteer work and friendly demeanor amongst his Dominican friends.
Seth worked to help new operators in Castle Bruce have a new radio station setup for use by the Disaster Management Committee (as part of their “emergency plan”). With his help, they are utilizing solar power, and a UHF/VHF antenna has been erected at the village police station. Seth has been a great friend of FAIRS, helping specific groups in Dominica progress in service to their communities.
Many of the site improvements at the main Dominican emergency communications headquarters, DARCI (Dominica Amateur Radio Club, Inc.), have been made with Seth as “part of the team, getting things done”. Volunteers continue to be trained at this facility, and another class of locals has just completed a course in order to be of service during disaster.
Seth gave assistance to the local volunteers, like Conrad Jederon J73CAJ and Joseph Guiste J73JT, by helping repair and augment their stations and doing outreach in the name of ham radio.
As Seth gives additional report and pictures, they will be added to this page.
Tom King W4VZH/J79VZH
MISSION TO DOMINICA
My mission to Dominica was a study in contrasts and full of surprises. My trip briefing by David and Gaynell was broad-brush and for a reason. They wanted me to discover the wonders of Dominica for myself… and I did.
I was met at Melville Hall Airport by my host, Clement Pierre Louis and my adventure began. The two hour trip through the Dominican rain forest was full of surprises. Vehicles in Dominica are compacts and mostly pickup trucks. There is not quite room to pass on the narrow, winding highway, so one or both must use the shoulder. There no seatbelts, no airbags and no fear of what’s around the corner or over the hill. The right-of-way is determined by which horn is sounded first. We exited the rain forest in Roseau, the capital. My destination, Wotten Waven, about five miles and 3000 feet up. The, I was greeted by my hostess and wife of Clement, Hetty Pierre Louis; possibly the best cook in all of Dominica.
My days were filled with sightseeing, hamming, reading, and just hanging out. I helped Clement build a carport. It was kind of like Tom Sawyer and the whitewashed fence.
I made 263 friends while there (258 were on twenty meters).