On 4/29/2015 Salsa and Chez Nous had reconnoitered two villages at the north end of Tanna that have no access by land. Lil' Explorers went to Lanekal the main port of Tanna to await the report from Salsa and Chez Nous and to prepare to carry food if necessary.
When the report came back it was determined that there was a need for a little over 4.2 tons of food. Working with Samaritan's Fund and World Food Program 4.2 tons of food was procured, and a plan for loading Lil' Explorers was hatched. The following morning two launches were appropriated, and the food was loaded into the launches from the concrete wharf. There were 3 foot waves rolling through the anchorage making the little boats toss as they were being loaded, and bounce everywhere as they were rafted to the rolling Lil' Explorers unloading! The 130 60lb bags of rice were loaded onto the main crossbeams and a few random other places. The Raman Noodles soup packages and the tuna were fairly light and placed throughout the cockpit and main salon.
Lil' Explorers took the load fairly well with the swim-steps just about at water level. The trip to the first village went very well with 20 knots behind us and a nice swell helping us surf. We arrived at the first village to a rousing welcome, anchored, and I went to shore with the Doctors, Shannon and Kim. After greeting the chief and enjoying a hearty welcome from the village we set up two hospital areas, one under a rock ledge on some rounded stones, and the Chiropractic doctor on one of the launches with some boards spread across to make her an adjustment table. The patients came quickly as the entire village was there to help with the unloading of the food.
Next came the unloading of the food. Chez Nous had arrived with the Samaritan's Fund people, and more fenders to protect Lil' Explorers from the delivery boat. An aluminum boat was launched and ten strong men were taken to help with the unloading. (Naturally they did not have enough gas to use their boat, so 12 gallons were donated. This appears to be very typical and was not unexpected). The 60-pound bags of rice were gently tossed over the lifelines into the boat 8 feet below. By the time the villages food was unloaded the doctors had treated all the patients that had presented themselves.
Chez Nous remained at the village with Samaritan's Fund to ensure that the food was distributed equitably. Lil' Explorers pulled anchor and headed up to the next village as the wind was projected to continue to increase throughout the day. Upon arrival the doctors were landed again, but the village chief was not around. The food was landed without incident and the doctors were kept very busy as the village was suffering from YAWS (a tropical infection of the skin, bones, and joints) and hence there were many sores and cuts that were not healing.
Overall the mission was a great success, with over 4 tons of food delivered, and many people treated.
Courage
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