Holland America 2012 “S. Pacific” sailings updates

Updated Feb 17, 2012
Aloha to all the Cruise Critic passengers, other passengers and staff of Holland America, who traveled on the 2012 sailings to the pacific region on the WESTERDAM with the intent to help Fanning Island, and also help Christmas Island on the Statendam to donate supplies. At the time (10/6/2012) there were no confirmed arrangements with Holland America’s corporate office, or the ships, allowing items to be delivered to the ship and stored for transport to the Islands. You were allowed however, to check in your items to your room, as your luggage limits and requirements will allow.
Arrangements to drop off your items with the ship when checking in and/or during the cruise is a very difficult arrangement for all involved. Once the ship was underway, we worked hard to coordinate with them (and you) so that Room Stewards and Hotel Staff could become involved to receive, store and deliver everyone’s donated items for the Islands. It was recommended that the passengers hold their donations till shortly before arriving to the Islands and then deliver them to ship staff  (when announcements have been given) or take them  on shore (not large suitcases or boxes please that would hinder tender opperations) to give to the locals personally.

It was very strongly suggested that all the items have an address label on the box or suitcases to a designated receiver on Fanning Island. Otherwise, the island council would obtain the items for their discretion as to what to do with them. The following addresses were ok to ensure the supplies would get to a proper person/location.
For FANNING ISLAND SCHOOL related items address them to:
ITEMS FOR FANNING ISLAND SCHOOLS

For CLINIC supplies address them to:
Fanning Island Health Center
C/O Nurse Kantarawa

Presently I have been in communications with HAL and awaiting their response and approvals to allow everyone the same privileges as has happened on previous Rotterdam sailings. I will keep updating and posting here for new developments.
Feel free to call or email me with any questions you might have or if you desire to get any immediate updates when the approvals come to me.
Important recent note from head nurse: Donations are always needed to those remote islands but NEVER DONATE EXPIRED DRUGS, USED DRUGS AND ANY KIND OF MILK.
Because in the Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Institute Workshop we were taught to encourage the mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively until they are 6 months old then foods and drinks are introduced and still breast feeding. It has evidence proven that breastfeeding is nutritious, clean, always ready and no cost for the children.

CURRENT WISH LIST UPDATES OF NEEDED SUPPLIES for FANNING ISLAND (see WISH LIST page):
From Fanning Island Mayor (sorry for his language and spelling but I didn’t feel I should correct it):
Our humble request if you possible accept concerning some other need of our people related to their seaweed plantation (their main job for life ) We would like to help them by requesting you if you could provided for them too.
a) Bundles of ropes (size 6mm /5mm ) for seaweed planted
b) Children supplies
c) Pre-school & primary supplies
d) Youth – sport materials e.g. volleyball balls, soccer, basket, table tenis
e) School bus – spare tyres & tube size # 16-7.50LT
f) Office – stationeries’ & photo copy papers. Manual typwriter with replacable ribbons
g) Health centre- any clinical first aid and cleaning materials 

From the secondary School representative:
1, sport equipment; basketball, volleyball and soccer ball
2, reading books relevant to secondary schools level
3, reference books for students reserch.
4, Exercise books (square & lined)
5, pens & pencils
6, Laptop and or desktop computers and printers

Have a wonderful sailing!

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Sept 2011 WESTERDAM Cruise Mission Newsletter

The first 4 days of the recent Sept. 24-29th 2011 Pacific Coastal Sailing on the Holland America ms WESTERDAM,  was the begining for some of the passengers sailing to the S. Pacific, and was a great opportunity for information to be passed on to the passengers about how they could help Fanning Island and for the ship to be involved for their first visit to Fanning.
Over 30 Cruise Critic members and other invitees attended a private gathering in the Crows Nest, the day after the 1st Meet and Greet get together, to hear from Rich Smith/ Director of PCM, about helping and visiting Fanning Island. It was also a time for the various attendees to ask questions about the island and how PCM has been involved.The guests that attended were very interested in hearing the information and it made for a way to start the word of mouth networking of information with other future passengers boarding in San Diego.
While in San Diego, a connection was made with Jim & Fae Lumsden who offered their assistance with getting the sponsored security wire for the Fanning Island Health center delivered. They also took a water filter system to the island to show one of the important local residents, and gather information to see if it could be useful there.
The wire, sponsored by partner to PCM John Schell, and  passengers Julia Anderson and Laural Bridge, was purchased in Seattle area and placed onboard  before the ship set sail.

The ship was able to make a sucessful visit to Fanning Island and many items were doanted and the passengers were also able to deliver their donated supplies!!!! More pictures of that to be added soon.