04.28.15 Working day

This week has started off being very busy. Am working on the school health data set, so lots of numbers to crunch. A urology team was supposed to arrive but missed the flight to Yap due to delayed arrivals. And today I was asked to go to the airport to examine a shipment of medications from MAP International, a great organization. They shipped 7 boxes of much needed medicines and all can be used. So a very special thank you to MAP International. BTW, this organization helped sponsor my very first trip as a medical volunteer. I went to Bangladesh as a medical student, so I am very fond of them. PMA has been very busy flying people and supplies back and forth.

Was then asked to attend the Emergency Operation Center meeting, where I presented our health assessments and plan for continued surveillance. This meeting took about three hours. There are concerns that an assessment report has not been sent to the Governor - and that translates into money.
My reports have been done. So there is a task force created to get the rest of the assessments into one report. I was able to state not only what we found, but what we need to prevent diseases so the chair was taking notes and I gave him my folder with the reports and list of needs. I really enjoy doing disaster relief work.

The rest of the day was spent chatting with two nurses who have a wealth of  information. That was fun as we are usually busy withour own projects.

Shorty, Blondie, Buddy, and Scarback are doing well. I am trying to get Scarback adopted - today he let me rub his tummy and rub his paws - a major feat for a dog who has been terrorized by people.

No more news on the men from the green boat. I did stir the pot and IOM was supposed to be asked to return to the table and help take care of them. Too much politics - all I know is that they need help and attention. Who said - "I'll be back"? which is how I feel about monitoring the situation. I'll be back to see how things are and keep bringing it up at meetings. Now that there was a devastating earthquake in Nepal, there could be no plans to return anyone there.

Today was Cute Baby Tuesday. Here is Roxy with a little one here for the immunizations.

 

Video - from Fais.

Moving water tanks.

 

 

And supplies.

And kids are having fun.

 

 

 

04.17.15 health surveillance and recovery efforts: Mogmog, Fedrai (Ulithi atoll)

Mogmog is a very traditional island and Yapese men are required to wear a thu and women are required to wear a lavalava. Both genders are topless. With the destruction of the homes and pubic buildings, the ban on clothes has been lifted and both men and women are wearing shirts and hats for protection from the sun. In addition, the men now have nice heavy clothes to protect their hands from injury.
This was a good visit for us - they have a doctor here - Dr. Arthur, who is a very kind and helpful person. It was a pleasure to meet him.

Fedrai permits any type of clothes, women are very likely to wear a lavalava with a shirt, the men have mixed attire. Fedrai has no health assistant and the people depend on Dr. Arthur (Mogmog) or Mark (Falalop) for help with their medical needs. Dr. Arthur asked me to check on some, so I did.

Here are a few pictures from Mogmog:

The man on the left is Will, a Peace Corps volunteer teaching on Fais. He is helping with off loading the ship of supplies. Notice men with hats, shirts, gloves and one with a bandage on his ankle.

A Micronesian living in Hawaii who came home to help with the relief effort. He forgot his shirt and is really sunburned front and back. A very nice man whom I enjoyed a brief conversation. He used up all ofhis vacation time to help as well as all sick leave.

Hats and gloves and shirts are very helpful.

Melissa and Carlos setting up the tetanus shot dispensary. Yes, on the beach, under a coconut tree. In the shade and a breeze.

Love the hat, shades and thu. Modern and traditional.

Her home was destroyed but she still has a big smile.

Unharmed shrine.

Tetanus protection. He just received his injection.

 

 

Sun protection.

Cute little girl.

Couldn't resist looking for the puppies.

Americans are by nature very, very generous. There are donations on every island from Americans. These boxes include hygiene supplies. Wish USAID could provide some supplies to the asylum seekers - the menin the green boat. The best contributions are monetary so the needed supplies canbe purchased and delivered.

Fedrai:

Neighboring island to Fedrai. See the damaged trees. It is uninhabited.

Clarissa, a Peace Corps volunteer. She teaches in Fedrai and will stay there as her home is functional and the school is in session. Exccept, of course, when the ship comes to  shore.

It is not easy in a lavalava.

 Healthy and cute baby.

Men unloading the motor boat from the ship.

She is doing well and has her teddy bear. The children do not appear  tobe traumatized by the typhoon, but we will have to see what happens during the next storm. That  may be more telling. Right now, they are playing and doing normal childhood activities.

Trevor, my little buddy. He is my tour guide and helped dispense candies to the small children. When I gave Dixon (next picture) a task (distributing mosquito repellant) Trevor looked disappointed, so I had  to think fast. He was quite happy  as a tour guide and they both have givenme some very beautiful shells.

Clarissa, one of her students and Dixon, who wants to be a doctor. Hope he studies hards and makes the effort. Not an easy goal coming from the islands, but it is achievable.

Pink shirt and grass skirt, this young girl is hauling some supplies home.

 

 

Albert received his tetanus shot. Love Carlos with his head gear.

 

The Church was mostly undamaged. Roof remains intact.

 

Typhoon Maysak and its devastation

Yesterday Amos (pilot for PMA) had flown an assessment group to Ulithi to review the damage. I am fortunate to share the pictures taken from a professional photographer who was included on the trip.
Fais is reported to have the same problems, but no one has been ableto  reach them yet to visit.

There is something that can be done if you are willing. Please make donations to the Pacific Mission Aviation (PMA) using either link:

http://www.pmapacific.org/

http://www.pmapacific.org/contribute/give/index.php

PMA is a non-profit mission organization supported by contributions of faithful friends, mission-minded individuals, groups, organizations and local churches. Contributions may be tax deductible in the following countries: USA, Germany, Philippines, Switzerland. Contact your local office for restrictions.

Donations from the U.S. are tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) by the U.S. Organic Act of Guam and incorporated in the Guam Income Tax Law.

Do it the kids. They have no food or water, no school and most of them have no home. Yet the kids still smile, laugh and play. PMA is flying out supplies. Won't you help?

 

 

 

The other pictures are not uploading well due to the slow internet speed. Will add them later.