Church and Community

FAIRS make 2nd trips to Dominica

 

FAIRS (Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service, Ltd.) Directors David and Gaynell Larsen, along with granddaughter Stephanie Helms of NC, have just returned from the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica. This was the second FAIRS trip in 2011.

As they have done consistently since 1997, the group transported many medicines and supplies for Dominica’s hospital and clinics. Items included diabetic testing supplies, sutures, and additional supply of eyeglasses.

FAIRS continues to work with members of the Dominica Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (DARCI), and they attend their regular monthly meeting, as well as a new training session which was help for potential amateur radio licensees. The island is in great need of operators who will respond in the event of a disaster, said the Larsens. Over the years, much assistance had been provided to the Club by FARIS, and the team was happy to see so much attendance, in spite of the rain that was pouring down.

During a visit to Portsmouth, the second largest town in Dominica on the northwest coast, FAIRS directors met with members of Portsmouth Community Watch Foundation, Inc. This group has been established for the purpose of promoting quality of life in their community. Part of that effort includes utilizing amateur radio operators for community and for security. The Larsens said it is hoped that community citizens will work together to be responsible for things, and not depend so much on the government.

In homes where parents are not able to care for their children, this is a special refuge at a please called Youth Quake. FAIRS spend time during visits playing with children, and this time school uniforms and shoes were purchased for many of them.

FAIRS was also presents during several sessions of the final week of “Love One Teach One” (LOTO) Foundation’s summer program, led by Gloria Walsh. Stephanie especially enjoyed working with the more than 40 children who were enrolled in this after-school feeding and help program. They gave performance at the end of the program, which the FAIRS group attended.

As a special project this year, FAIRS has assisted the small school in Wotten Waven (a village of about 260 persons where FAIRS stays with Clement and Hetty Pierre-Louis) with supplies toward a fresh coat of paint and an “updated” look.

One highlight of this trip for FAIRS was to be able to spend time with Josanna Lockhart, who was visiting her home in Dominica. Josanna founded several of the Childrens programs which still exist in the fighting village of Castle Bruce. She is studying her final year in college a Caribbean Wesleyan in Jamaica; she has begun a children’s group there as well, working with them to study the Bible.

In Castle Bruce, FAIRS paid visit to long-time friend Joseph Guiste and watched as he operated from the village’s emergency amateur radio station. FAIRS amateur radio station. FAIRS has helped with substantial amounts of radio equipment for the island, this time also helping Conrad Jederon J73CAJ at his home station.

You may view FAIRS operations in Dominica 2011- please visit www.flodradio.net. FAIRS does not only work abroad, but maintains a local presence here in Floyd. For the last four years, FAIRS and its supporters have helped to sponsor paid interns during the summers, so they might learn skills related to business and non-profit, as well as communications. FAIRS sponsors activities of the Floyd Amateur Radio Society, and has helped with the Floyd Community Garden at 177 Webbs Mill Road, which will hold grand opening of its not Plenty! Fresh Food Bank on September 16. (For more information call Karen Day of Plenty! At 540-35705657.)

COMING UP – Saturday Dec. 10, 2011 FAIRS will sponsor Heart of the Holidays at Chantilly Farm….A holiday event for charity. Donations of cinter clothes and non-perishable goods wil be collected to help those in need within Floyd County. Music & caroling, food, and festivities. Free admission with donation of food/clothing items.