Jan 1st, 2012 — OSDW launches “Island Ambulance Service”
When minutes are a matter of life and death…
…our new 24 / 7 dedicated ambulance-boat for remote
indigenous people will help save lives.
Those sick or injured will no longer have to paddle their
canoes for hours to reach a hospital.
(below ) Our small, fast, purpose-built ambulance boat is ready
– a life-saving tool when time is a matter of life and death.
Just launched, our new ambulance boat is named “Maribel”, in honor of
Maribel’s 4 years of work among indigenous people.
They often call her “the angel of the islands”.
( lower left ) Maribel is there for them — visiting, caring and helping.
Location: a “platform-house” over a salt water marsh in Tierra Oscura.
( below ) Rushing a young girl who severely cut her foot
with a machete to one of our boats in a wheelbarrow.
A wheelbarrow for patients?
Out where we live, you use whatever works!
Up to 20,000 indigenous people live on these
islands and on the 80 miles of roadless coastline where
access is mostly by boat.
Most indigenous people live in remote coastal settlements with no
land access. The water is their way in or out.
Sick or injured people have set out to get help in
their dug-out canoes, but didn’t make it in time.
Any population of 20,000 will have a certain number of
emergencies — sicknesses or accidents — that require
immediate professional medical care.
All school principals will be given our emergency
contact number to call.
OSDW’s dedicated 24/7 ambulance boat will save lives.
(below) a typical coastal dwelling. Most indigenous people
live on coastal waters like this, with access only by the boat.
Until now, we’ve used our large water-tank carrying boat
for emergencies, but it’s often busy installing rain catchment tanks.
Our new, small, faster ambulance boat will always be available.
( below ) A midnight life-saving run for a snakebite victim.
“Five minutes later and he would be dead,” the doctor said
His condition was so critical, after 6 months he’s still
not fully recovered. But at least he’s alive.
(Below ) a mother with critically ill baby.
She clutched her baby with one arm while
desperately paddling her canoe with the other
to get to us.
“I was going in circles,” she said.
We’re glad to say mom and baby are now doing fine.
With the help of friends like you,
our 24/7 ambulance service will
be there for remote, isolated indigenous peoples.
Remote and isolated – yes.
Too far to get urgent medical care — no longer
( Below ) Blood was oozing from this man’s swollen
right eye.
Maribel took one look and said, “Get him to the hospital.”
He was treated and is now recovering.
“It’s always a race against time,” she said.
“Blood loss from machete accidents and snakebites
are our main problems. Childbirth complications
often need immediate hospital care.“
Joe Bass, Founder/ President of Operation Safe Drinking Water says,
“Prevention through safe drinking water is our priority,
but when lives are lost because of the time
it takes to get to medical help
you do what you can.”
How you can help:
$20 will pay the initial hospital fee for an indigenous patient.
$50 covers the fuel costs of rushing a typical patient to the nearest hospital.
Your help — of any amount — will save lives of remote, isolated
indigenous people.
They have no “911″ to call.
Clifk here to Help
.4 things you should know about us:
1) We’re a 501 c 3 charity.
2 ) No one receives a salary or compensation
3) We live among the people we help.
4 ) Our 92 rain catchment tanks provide safe,
disease-free water for 35,000 indigenous people.
This year — make a difference in people’s lives
you can see with your own eyes.
– Joe & Maribel Bass – Operation Safe Drinking Water
- Bocas del Toro
