04.11.15 Photographs from Ulithi (Falalop) post Typhoon Mayson

Our relief trip back was delayed for three days and we now leave on Monday evening. They still needed parts for the engine. We will take more supplies as well as the Peace Corps volunteers who were teaching - only some will stay and the others will be allowed to gather whatever they have left and return to Yap to teach here. At least two have homes in sufficient condition to return to the outer islands. No doubt the rest will be heart broken. I will be representing Public Health and reassess the situation and help with tetanus immunizations as needed. We know at least two have wounds from the recovery effort.

Preparations were many. Logistics always fascinate me.

Roxy and Angie - Public Health staff and Red Cross volunteers

Large barrels of fuel loaded in a clever makeshift manner. No lifts, just manpower and brainpower. It worked.

Angie and John - final text messages. Angie is texting Daniel to remember to feed Shorty and Buddy. He did not forget.

"drops of life" - potable water is a precious commodity. Those extra large containers are heavy. I could barely lift one.

Jarvais, Apologize for not knowing the man in the red shirt, Hilda with the beautiful smile, Roxy and Angie. In the stern of the boat which proved to be most sea sickness causing location during the moderate seas.

Photographs from Ulithi:

 

 

This was very moving for me. The statue of the Blessed Mother is unharmed and in the middle of an incredible amount of damage. The crucifix and the chalice were also undamaged in the typhoon.       

 

 

 

 

 



 Many hands make light work, so they say. The chain is formed to pass supplies to the men's house. From there they will be signed over to the representative and chief, who will then distribute them to the villages and then households. It is a fair and organized system for the most part.

She is a doll. One of the kids who sang and danced for me while I was there in January.

 

Destroyed homes.

Trees snapped or were uprooted.

This was a house here.

Tarp as a roof for the main house.

Basketball. Gone. Daniel and the other PH staff played a lot here with the other guys on the island

Internal wall of the dispensary is bowed. This is where we stayed for a couple of days during our January visit. The dispensary is also leaking. Unsafe for use.