SAR 20th Anniversary event

One of the reasons we came to Bolivia was to attend the Search and Rescue (SAR) organization's 20th anniversary event. We went to that yesterday.

They started off with the founders sky diving. The people in a sky diving club saw the need for a search and rescue team, so they founded the local SAR group 20 years ago.

This was a formal occasion with a speech from the head of the national SAR organization. We also sang the national anthem or hymn. Many people were honored for donating equipment, money, or time. Each were giving a small plaque. The Mano a Mano organization got them because they donate some medical supplies that come from Minnesota. I got one and found out I got one last year as well.

Afterwards we had some refreshments.

They performed a fire rescue in their training area. Using the fire hose to put out the fire, pulling a downed fire fighter out, and carrying him to a waiting ambulance.

The event was at their new facility at the airport. Mario, one of the founders, now works for the service organization for the airport. He leads the safety wing at the airport. The service organization is letting SAR use an old hanger. They have fixed it up very well. It has many classrooms and offices. Two nice shower rooms, because they have about 50 percent women. They are starting to build a training area outside as well.


[see pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelwx/]


I looked at their equipment. I saw much of the equipment I sent down last year with the help of Mano a Mano.

I gave them a bag of "mardi gras" necklaces so they could hand them to children who come to the station. I also gave them a nice cash donation. Mario said they would use it to fix one of their vehicles.

Everyone there was very thankful for the help we have provided.