09.30.15 Update on green boat men

Received a note from colleagues in Yap. There have been no changes to the status of the men from the green boat. They are working on their appeal for refugee status. They have food and health care and there are no problems. Some of my friends are visiting them, bringing them movies as well as food and essentials.
Will update this report as new information develops.

08.16.15 Green boat men update

We had our weekly visit this morning, even though we visit during the week, this is our sacrosanct visit. We brought supplies for them courtesy of the US Navy Seabees and the Yap State Public Health stff. They are always appreciative of what anyone donates. One local man also came this morning with a bag of rice.

It is very sad to hear the men talking to the police this morning. They again were out of food. No one agency is providing them with  rice or vegtables or any other staple, so without the generosity of the people mentioned they would be starving. We have on our hands here a pending humanitarian crisis if no one steps up to help and it is impossible to get any international agency involvevd. I have tried several and I will continue to try to get help. We must keep in mind that they will continue to receive medical care at the hospital. The director gave her word. We need another organization to step up and provide food and essential supplies.

And the crown funding website is still open for any donations. (rockethub.com  "Green boat men fund").

We had a good talk this morning, I did let them know that there are people who care and people who help provide them with food and other items. They are holding together well as a unit. And on the good new side, there are no major illnesses and no disease outbreaks.

It poured down rain when we were visiting. But it is a warm rain, even when we are soaked it is not cold, so sometimes we just walk in the rain. I wear my blue poncho (always a crowd pleaser as I do not think anyone else has one) in the down pours but didn't have it handy today. So the pictures are a bit foggy.

Here are a few of the men. The rest were uner the shelter and out of the rain. We had a good talk this morning. I do feel very bad that they are in this situation - they are really very nice and just victims of a scam. Shorty, Hope and Princess Ali the pup joined the men for the pictures!

 

08.08.15 Smiles all around and Green Boat Men Fund

The food and books were delivered and the men were delighted. They will have a feast tonight. They invited us to join them.

One of the things I am trying to do is make this more sustainable. So we changed RocketHub funding site to be named "Green Boat Men Fund" and can use any money donated to buy food and essential items. Donations are made by credit card or PayPal. If you have access to the internet, you can access the fund and PayPal is a secure way to make a donation.

We have new Peace Corps Response Volunteers and I introduced two of them to the men, so there will be a nice baton pass to look after them. And Father John will be here, so we have continuity and some form of oversight.

08.08.16 My sincerre thank you .............................

My deep and sincere thank you to Mrs Paula G., Chris S. and Betsy, who have donated to help  the green boat men. The men now have food for the mind, food for the body, essentials for cleanliness and Father John provides food for the soul. I was so very surprised to see such generosity and I know the men will appreciate everything. I had been there this morning before the PC office delivered my boxes, but everything will be taken there this afternoon. I opened every box and I know they will enjoy the pasta meal. And the books are really interesting. I saw some of the men reading this morning so I know the books will be used well.

And my sincere thank you to Mrs. Marsha S., who made a very useful donation for  the women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I will give the package to a PH nurse who will know how to distribute. The women will be appreciative. It is not easy for them here once they are diagnosed and this gift helps them.

I am very touched by the kindness and generosity of Paula, Chris, Marsha and Betsy. With you, Yap is a richer and healthier place and you have demonstrated what we all know - Americans are kind and generous people.

Thank you all so very much. This is like Christmas - in August!

I posted a similar picture yesterday, but if they knew that books and food and supplies were coming they all would have been waving.

 

 

 

 

08.03.15 update on medical care for green boat men

Met with the hospital  director about the new regulations, particulary those regarding medical care. She reiterated again that the hospital will provide medical care  for the men. The plan now is for a Pubioc Health nurse to visit the men each week and record any medical and other problems. Those that require medical treatment at the hospital will be reported to the director and chief of staff. They will then contact IOM with the list so they kow who requires care and will treat them. We have that organized.
One major hurdle. In addition, The US Navy Seeabees have approved their medic to help provide care to the men.
So we hav that sorted out for now. The next thing is for food.
But we do need public awareness of this situation to find a workable solution and finality for the men.