02.2016 Lunch

We had a great lunch with the men. The green boat itself is almost completely gone - used for firewood. Here are a few pictures of the living quarters as well.

 

Waving good - bye - not knowing when we will meet again.

The men like Shorty and asked if he could stay with them. Shorty wanders around Colonia a lot, hard to imagine him staying in one place. Sadly, their dog Hope was poisoned and died. Unfortunately the men were witness to his demise.

Last pieces of the "green boat" - the vessel on which the men were sailed to Yap by mistake.

 

11.22.15 Updates all around

It has been a while since I last posted as I had no internet connectivity at home! Imagine that. They upgraded service in my town but my modem was insufficient to stay connected. This has now been resolved - fortunately a technician was able to come out to the house and fix the problems.

In terms of the green boat men, I have heard that there are no updates. That means the men are no longer allowed visitors by order of the national government agency. But I am told that they do have food and the basics. I am sorry to report I have no other new information.

I do hear from my Public Health friends and it seems everyone is doing well. They also see Shorty and  he is doing well, aside from missing me.

In addition to work, I spend most of my time taking care of my boys Fionnegan and Gunnarr, watching football and working on our foundation Health and Education for All and the project in Bangladesh. We are trying to fund raise for the health on wheels program for garment factory workers. We have also included rasing funds for my areas of interest in Yap.

The Patriots are doing very well - great game last Sunday as we won by one point with 6 seconds left in the game. I never doubt the skills of one Tom Brady qb extraordinaire!

Hard to stay awake when your team is playing late at night!

Stephen Gostkowski's field goal at the last seconds won the game against the Giants. Always a tough game for the Patriots.

This is how we get all ticks - playing in the woods!

 

08.19.15 Improvements for the green boat men

Wrote to and did receive a response from the UNHCR (UN refugee agency) who was unaware of  the conditions, and promised to look into the matter. Also met with the governor and lt gov about the refugees this week. We discussed living conditions, need for food and a sustainable plan until a plan is in place to move the men to a more permanent environment - wherever that  may be. We discussed that Yap was not their intended destination and how refugees just want a better life - they do not  want tobe a burden on other people or organizations. We talked about living conditions for some of the men at home. It was a good conversation and the governor in particular was willing to see what more could be done.

Today the men said they have enough food for the week, which is a major step forward. A while ago I heard stories that they were to be included in the feeding plan for the prisoners, which would also guarantee food on a daily basis. And the idea that has been floated around for some time, that the men be placed in a village - one refugee per village - is starting to be discussed more often. We talked about  the men working for their food - which they are willing to do - as one alternative to living on the dock and waiting for someone to assist them. So it seems like some things are pulling together - a health task force and a plan for food that may be sustainable.
 

08.07.15. Green boat refugee men health update

One step at a time.

Two Public Health  nurses (Naty and Deborah) and Henry from Behavioral Health and Wellness and I went to visit the men. My role was to introduce them to the nurses and assure them that if needed, the hospital director stated that they would continue to receive health care. I did not mention IOM, hospital bills, etc as that is not my role. Then the nurses were to talk to the men and determine  if anyone needed to come to the hospital or if any care is needed. I do hope this system works and I am cautiously optimistic. It is so hard to keep everyone on the same page.

The  men are doing well, no one needed to go to the OPD,  but access to food  is still a major problem We delivered a lot of  food today donated from The US Navy Seabees. The Seabees also gave them some MRE (mealsready to eat) and the men love them. Mashed potatoes was a hit.

Met some new PCRV. They also donated for the men - will use their money to buy more soap and toothpaste. This new crew is in education, education accreditation and youth activities. They seem to be a great group and I wish I would have more time to interact with them. Took Shorty and Buddy with me (stated as if I had a choice!) and the boys were good while the volunteers talked. The President of Micronesia was at the hotel where we met for a special dinner hosted by  the Chinese, so a couple of us went upstairs to see. China has a very keen interest in Micronesia in general and Yap in particular. They are sending a medical delegation this weekend and we were told to accommodate them. However, the Chinese doctors only want to see a few patients.

Here are a few pictures of the green boat men and the PH staff.

Naty (has a cold) and Deborah.

Henry who is promising the men a surprise on Monday. He is like a rock star to them.

 

06/07/15 Visit to asylum seekers

Shorty and I went to visit the men and Hope. They are doing well and still hopeful that a resolution is near. Phillip from IOM told them that the lady from the UN refugee organization will be here again this week. Let's hope something good comes from these efforts.
To Amit - please provide some documentation that you are indeed Naveen's brother. The men are not able to call anywhere.

They look healthy,  have planted a vegetable garden of pumpkins - you can eat the tips as a vegetable as well as the pumpkin when they ripen. They have set up two cooking stalls for roti and rice and vegetables. They do laundry, play chess, read books and play cards. It is a ery clean environment and as long as there are no more leaks when it rains they are quite secure. They feel that much has improved with IOM helping on a regular basis.

Here are a few pictures, taken with permission:

This is a police officer who has always been helpful.

Hope is getting big! And he gets very excitedwhen Shorty is there.

Nepalese cooking station. They made me roti today.

Playing chess.

Pumpkin garden.

 

Two is fun.

Three even better!

Making vegetables for the roti.

Indian roti station.

Shorty and Hope trying to help.

Hope and Shorty playing. Hope does chase after Shorty .