Christmas Island "Fish Tales" Volume 2 - 2-12-08
Mauri and Welcome…to the second year of “Fish Tales”. This past year has been an extraordinary year, many bites and hook-ups with only a few misses. All in all, it was an exceptional year for “Friends of Christmas Island”.
Recap of 2007:
- March – Phase I was complete when the first load of basic medical health needs was shipped and delivered in 15 wooden crates on the sailing vessel, Kwai.
- Midsummer – Several events and opportunities occurred, Commerce City Rotary sponsored the first-ever Car Show raising over $6,000 for “Friends of Christmas Island”; received news that Rotary International approved extension of Rotary to Kiribati; notified by NCAR that they were assisting the project by providing military transportation on a C-17 Globemaster III.
- September – The C-17 touched down on the island with 13 fully loaded large wooden crates and the first-ever septic tank pumping truck in the Republic of Kiribati was delivered.
- September – Phases II, III & V were set in motion due to the transportation gift by NCAR, in five weeks we were able to procure all of the equipment for the future “Visiting Doctor Clinics”, remaining hospital needs, water testing equipment and supplies plus some schools books and 108 computers. Due to time constraints of the trip, the Maybee’s were only able to deliver computers to the hospital, medical clinics and two high schools. The remaining crates were warehoused for future distribution.
- September – Announcement came from the Japanese government that they will build an adjourning structure onto the hospital which our X-ray machine and processor will occupy.
Christmas came to the Island…In January, drills and screwdrivers worked over time, as we began to open the 13 wooden crates for distribution to three primary schools, ten pre-schools, the hospital, medical clinics and recreation dept. Book bags, hygiene kits, computers and school books were welcomed with open arms by the 3 primary schools - Tennessee, Banana and Poland.
10 pre-schools received much needed book bags, coloring books, colors, reading books and hygiene kits.
The hospital received a 20’ container of medical supplies and equipment including an operating table which was immediately is use. We also delivered medical supplies and a power inverter to the medical clinics around the island.
2008’s Agenda…will prove to be a very exciting year for the people of Christmas Island.
New Rotary Club in New Country: During this past visit to the island, we held two informational/organizational meetings regarding setting up a new Rotary club. Since then, the group has met weekly, grown in membership, and is actively pursuing the club’s organizational structure such as electing officers, creating their Rotary name, song, letterhead and flag. In addition, they are working to locate and secure a building for the “Visiting Doctor Clinics”, planning other community projects and a fundraiser. In April, five members of the Commerce City Rotary Club, District 5450, will assist Christmas Island in the start up of a new Provisional Rotary Club which will be the first-ever in the Republic of Kiribati. It is projected that in August, the Provisional Club will be chartered with several members of Districts 9920 and 5450 in attendance for the ceremony.
Bio-Sand Filters for Safer Water: “Friends of Christmas Island” will continue to fulfill Phase II of our project by delivery of bio-sand filters to the island in June. This will give 70% of the island safer water and will assist with removal of bacteria; however, it will not help with reduction of heavy nitrates. Please understand the bio-sand filters are only a stop-gap procedure; therefore we are currently working with several international groups that might be able to assist in a major way in the future to solidify the water problem.
Bio-Energy Stoves for Quality of Life: Commerce City Rotary through its World Community Service project “Friends of Christmas Island” and several District 5450 Rotary partners are considering a new bio-energy stove project. This integrated cooking method is being investigated to provide the best cooking products for use; once acquired and produced, the committee will write operational and production procedures along with delivery of pilot program materials to the island. This project is anticipated to be environmentally friendly, safer of disease and severe burns, improves cooking efficiency and most importantly improves the quality of family life and health.
“Visiting Doctor Clinics” Closer to Reality: Calling on all Doctors to schedule your visit to volunteer and fly-fish for “bones”. Once you have scheduled your trip with your favorite outfitter and know the dates, please contact Sharon at semaybee@aol.com so she may begin to schedule when, who and what type of medical services will be provided. Although we have many wooden crates of equipment and supplies still warehoused on the island, we are counting on you to assist us with needed medicines. Therefore, when you plan your trip we will provide you with a list of medicines that are needed.
Schools Books Needed: During the January trip we had the opportunity to visit each primary and pre-school on the island. Although we had shipped several boxes of books; when separated we had very few books for thirteen schools. If you would like to assist with this project, the schools are in need of pre-school and primary grade reading and/or picture books, blocks, legos, puzzles etc.
For more information on the project please contact George Maybee at gkmaybee@aol.com or 303-655-9831. If you would like to join in with a tax-deductible contribution it can be sent to our 501c (3) foundation care of: Friends of Christmas Island
Commerce City Rotary Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 1882
Commerce City, CO 80037
