There is so much that I would like to write since the last newsletter, I get excited to think how much we have accomplished and how much there remains to do.
This year the flood season hasn’t been as bad as feared, although the flood is not yet over as of this writing. We have delivered blankets and food supplies only to a few families that were in need. Most families in the Tahuayo region are doing fine this year. Angels of the Amazon (AoA) always makes an assessment before delivering assistance, to make sure the people remain largely self- sufficient.
Healthcare Program
AoA partnered in March with Hope Alliance organization to do dental and medical clinics. Several people who were diagnosed with problems were referred to AoA’s healthcare program to continue treatment in the city of Iquitos. We also received donations of medicine supplied by Carroll College and other
Amazonia guests. The rural clinic in Esperanza Village has the greatest impact on the well-being of people in the region. In the past AoA has built, increased and improved the size of the clinic and added solar power. We support two of the three nurses at the clinic. One has a specialty with women’s care, the other is a pediatric nurse. Our most pressing need for funding for the rest of the year is to sustain the salaries of the two nurses paid by AoA and to provide for diagnostic equipment, including a functioning microscope, in order to do improved on-site diagnostics.
Educational Program
We started the school year 2013 with all AoA’s sponsored children having dental and physical checkups. Five more children were added to the student sponsorship program. Educational packets were distributed to all students of the region in March. Many of our guests contributed their skills, teaching in the schools for anywhere from a single day to three weeks. Students from Sayville andSachem High Schools along with students of Buena Vista painted their elementary school in February. Sixteen desks and thirty-two school chairs were constructed by youthful Hope volunteers along with students of Esperanza Village in March. Amazonia guests also hosted an average of two nutritional
breakfasts per month in the Tahuayo communities in recent months. The most exciting news from our sponsorship program is that Jose Manuel was able to obtain a seat in the Institute of his choice to study accounting. After 3 months of intense study to prepare for the entrance exam, he competed with about 800 students from many high schools in Iquitos for one of only 200 available seats. He thanked his sponsor for providing him with “my ticket to make my life
better.”
Conservation Program
After consultation with the local authorities and communities it was decided that Amazonia Expeditions will build a raft to put in Lake Tapaje and AoA will be responsible of reintroduction of caiman and support for guardians from the community, who will prevent poaching. This will be a joint effort made by the community El Chino, Amazonia Expeditions and Angels of the Amazon. Four years ago AoA began to assist in the care for a boy paralyzed with polio by providing special milk with vitamins, other food, diapers, bed supplies, clothing and other things he needed. His mother had a woolly monkey captive and we had long appealed to her to give the monkey to us for reintroduction. Finally last month we acquired this monkey, named Chepa. After getting some veterinary attention to her wounds we released her in the forest near our other reintroduced woolly monkey, Dorila. We were worried that Dorila might be aggressive toward the newcomer, but instead the first thing Dorila did was to hug Chepa and make soothing vocalizations. It was a heart rending sight.
Economics
The ladies artisanal group, organized by AoA coordinator Dolly, Asociacion de Artesanas Manos Amazonicas, continue doing great work. This year they are making new necklaces, bracelets and bowls, and with AoA’s assistance managed to find a buyer in the USA who will be launching an online store in the next month. This important income helps to empower the women of the villages
and raise their standard of living.
My infinite gratitude to everyone who contributes to Angels of the Amazon. AoA’s programs would not be sustainable and possible without your support.
One Child at a Time!
Sincerely,
Dolly Beaver
President, Angels of the Amazon
