Winlink Supports Humanitarian Work

Another example of the value of Winlink

The following letter is published for the benefit of those in Australia who support our lobbying for Winlink in Australia:

QUOTE:

Anthony,

We are a Canadian couple. We run a health and development program for the islands of LOS TESTIGOS in Venezuela. It is an isolated archipelago, 100 km from the mainland. The islands are inhabited by small communities of fishermen. The islands have no regular link to the mainland. Neither have they any roads, telephone, or anything else in terms of communication facilities. They are also totally without any health services.

We get support from various individuals and foundations, among which the PanAmerican Development Foundation (PADF)(Visit www.padf.org). This is affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS) that provides help to Central and South American countries through different programs. We get assistance also from a pharmaceutical firm "JEAN COUTU" (Visit www.fmjc.org - Under construction.)

We have set up a dispensary and medical quarters so that volunteer medical and dental professionals can come and spend a week or two, to provide voluntary assistance. I am a dentist myself. We just received from PADF, medical equipment and a complete set of tools for maintenance of the fishing boats' engines. The pharmacy has been stocked, including a year’s supply of vitamins for the children. These are rocky islands, with little water, that grow no fruits or vegetables. We therefore brought in a 20,000-gallon water tank that collects water during the rainy season to be used during dry season. These items were donated by a Canadian foundation.

I am using Winlink extensively as it provides the only lifeline between these remote communities and our various supporters. The following are examples of Winlink use:

(1) To notify PADF that the dental equipment they donated had arrived safely in a fishing boat. It responded immediately with a list of additional medical supplies available, so that I can arrange for transportation.

(2) To get more information about the treatment and contagion of meningitis that occurred here (two children died in a matter of 12 hours). We were left here with all the other children, including our own, and we needed information on preventive antibiotic therapy.

(3) Thanks to Winlink I can also continue to plan the operations, budget and funding needs for these remote islands while I am in the field.

(4) There was a major political upheaval in Venezuela last year, as well as, a two-month general strike this year. This caused severe shortages of food and fuel. Getting information about the political developments, here and abroad, while in our remote corner of the world is important.

(5) Friends at home search the Internet on topics that are important for our humanitarian work here in Los Testigos and send the information back to us via Winlink.

(6) We can also stay in touch with Venezuelan contacts on the mainland; and

(7) Personally, it is also a great relief to be able to communicate with our families and aging parents. They support our work but are often worried about us and the children.

I earn a living and save a little during the 6 months that I spend in Canada each year. The other six months of the year we are here doing voluntary work in Los Testigos. We find it very rewarding. Our two daughters, Madeleine and Jeanne, 8 and 6 years, respectively, are with us. As we are not paid for the work or the time we spend away from Canada, our budget is always a little tight. Regrettably, therefore, we can’t upgrade yet from our old PACTOR I. However, even though slow, it works fine.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the Winlink Development Team and the many radio amateurs that make our communications with the outside world possible.

Thank you all.

From Francois Pelletier and Danielle, and the girls.

Los Testigos, Venezuela.

Sent via Winlink.

UNQUOTE

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