Each year, FAIRS directors David and Gaynell Larsen travel to the small island country of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean. This year, they traveled with their granddaughter Jacqueline, and she had the opportunity to gain a new perspective of the world. The purpose of their visit was to encourage program leaders supported by FAIRS (Foundation for Amateur Intl. Radio Service, Ltd.), to visit foreign friends and to try to make a difference in the lives of others.
Throughout the year, FAIRS works to gather items that we take for granted such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shoes, reading glasses, jewelry, band aids, diabetic supplies, and many other things which they deliver to those who have need in Dominica. FAIRS members also provide support to specific families they have met personally, heard about through project reports and past missions, or who they know need assistance. David and Gaynell take such items to these families: clothing, necessities and even a laptop computer.
Gloria Walsh is director of the Love One Teach One (LOTO) Foundation which benefits school-aged students in the capital city of Roseau. FAIRS has supported the foundation in a variety of ways. To show appreciation, a welcome party was thrown for the group as they arrived by LOTO students and leaders, held at the local Botanical Garden. The party was a great opportunity for David and Gaynell to meet the students which are supported by FAIRS and its members. FAIRS provided funds for a weekend youth camp for students involved in LOTO programs. Though students in the United States have the opportunity to go on field trips for travel and education while in school, Dominican students often do not have such opportunities, and transportation is an issue. There was much cooperation to put on the camp, and the FAIRS group was happy to pay a visit to the attendees. The focus of the camp was on leadership, self-esteem, abstinence, relationships and building family. The theme was “Strengthening Minds for a Better Tomorrow.” Students were invited to take part in many games and activities throughout the weekend.
FAIRS has been working alongside citizens of the village of Bioche toward the construction a community building. The construction is now complete, and regular meetings are held there which the townspeople attend. These meetings are helpful for the community to have a voice and citizens can have a say about what happens within the village. Plans are in the works for a summer reunion. The goal of the reunion is to get people who used to live in the village to come home, visit, and see the progress that has been made.
In the small mountain village of Wotten Waven, FAIRS helps the Wotten Waven Primary School with maintenance and school supplies. Jacqueline was excited to meet with students and to see how school is for them.
David worked with the amateur radio operators on the island and completed routine repair on critical amateur radio equipment. These repairs help keep communication over the airwaves at the best quality that it can be. David provided training for proper use of the equipment. FAIRS helps to sustain their communications infrastructure by repairing or replacing equipment as needed and helping or funding toward repairs. The goal of this work is to ensure quality communications, and to help those who have an interest in operating amateur radio to have the opportunity to take part in it.
A current project which is in need of support is for the benefit of indigenous people of Dominica in the Kalinago Territory. Specific families and communities have need of the most basic items as clean water and a weather-protected place to sleep. Education toward health and family planning are also priorities. It is the hope of FAIRS director Gaynell Larsen to fulfill some of these needs as she and David continue to direct the Foundation’s mission to advance global goodwill through amateur radio.
Dominica 2015