22/02/2018
It has been 5 months and 2 days since Hiro and I had an impromptu sit down to discus the plight of the Dominican people after Maria had just ravaged the island... and before we knew what happened... we had quickly formulated a plan to set up and arrange a rapid response relief effort for Dominica.
The support from the cruising community, local businesses and others was both incredible and very humbling. The kindness and generosity just kept pouring in.... and for 39 days, we coordinated numerous trips to and from Dominica with the Flying Buzzard and other vessels, which conservatively saw approx 400 tons of life sustaining supplies being delivered, approx $60,000 raised in cash, kind and or services.... for medical supplies, fuel, communication equipment, Life Saver Water Jerry Cans etc. being supplied and a lot more. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity and kindness.
Unfortunately, Hiro and I had to get back to our normal lives, but... we are extremely grateful that with everyone's assistance, we actually did accomplish what we set out to do... and that was to provide instant and immediate life sustaining relief... before the larger operations could take over with the global scale assistance that is still ongoing. I continually follow their progress and point people in the right direction that still want to try and assist.
Work, which is a necessary part of keeping food on the table, has kept us from visiting. I am not sure when Hiro will get a chance to visit, but I shall be going to visit Dominica in just over a month when we head up north to St Martin... so that I can actually meet and personally thank the people on the ground who were an integral part of assisting us to fulfill our promises to everyone... but most importantly... to the Dominican people.
CAN'T WAIT!!!
