A Message from Savu Island

Dear John,

After so many years, finally we here got the internet. Only seven of them could be grantedwith the privilege to get it installed ,amongst we here. As You and the Rotarians had beenengaged to make us literate in digital affairs, I am sure all will be glad too . At the same time the first which I have to do is, to inform You all about this progress and thank You all Your undertakings to outfit us with the computers You brought each time You came to Sabu.

Now just before You will arriv at the end of this months, a few news from here. Firstly the two teahers houses have nearly been finished. The one in Mehona is already used by the headmaster there,and in Perema /Mesara/West Sabu, the house is already finished, remains only the kittchen. Secondly concerning the toilet here in Seba: The congregation by itself became aware that a new church needs too a new toilet. So the congregation is paying for it. It is now under construction according to the instructions David Langworthy sent us at the end of April, and at the same location too the Rotarians decided last year. I ask You to allowe us to use the money You sent us to be used to built a bathroom for the boy's hostel, als the old bathroom is nearly falling down, as the congregation shows no signs to pay for that too. And as the aim of Your help had been, "To bring Sanitation up to acceptable standards", it might be possible for You as the president to tolerate that change. Thirdly the donation of Rotary Feldbach(Manfred Krasnitzer) had been used not only do dig one well but two to supply the Secondary Higher School with water. The digging succeeded, water had been found. As we still await the deepest level of the groundwater which is just before the rain starts, we did not yet put down the concrete rings, but wait, try to pump the water empty, continue still to dig on, if possible and necessary. Of course the rings are already at the workshop that produces them. And that wokshop too - which had been establishd with Your help - is working non stop to produce the rings which are in big demand, as the government as well as a NGO from the protestant church are using them in their projects. The money Rotary sent us for the students I sent immediately to Agus in Kupang to be used for the so many students so that they can get food, transportation , cover study fees and all related to it. I thank You very much for all that. Finally most of the 600 mosquito-nets have been given to those who really need them. Many2 thanks to You and Rotary Siminyak too. May be if You four are comming at the 23th of Oktober,You might think what best to bring to us. I hope You do not feel that I am a little unpolite if I dare to utter something about what our students and pupils would need most. Nothing else than formerly too, namely used computers , not only for us here in the house but too for the many students in Kupang. They need them baldy for their studies, and if they come to Sabu, they always think that I have a big number of them in store, and they are disappointed if I can not give them any, as those in our house are ,all used. Besides that old handies are very useful too. But surely it might not be easy for You to get used ones,as the owners might not easily depart from them. For me personally in case You arrive in Bali, please buy for me 25 TEST STRIPES for blood glucose testing with ONE TOUCH SELECT SIMPLE Glycose tester.I tried to get it in Kupang, but there had only been teststripes for the 'EASY TOUCH' Glycose tester. If possible, please buy too a small bottle ofONE TOUCH SELECT CONTROL SOLUTION, so that we can test the tester. I will pay back the expenses for it.

Rudy Hayek from the Basecamp in Bali (+628179773597) has sent us 3 SUCTION GUNS, made by ITW JAPAN, that is able to suck out with one stroke one liter of used oil out of the diesel engines on the boats here. They cost each Rp 190.000,-- in the shops in Bali. They are veryessential to enable a clean oil change on those boats, as without it is nearly impossible to do it without polution. The connsequelnces of it are devastating as they destroy the agar2 plants the only income for many. There are about 35 boats who needed it. I tried to inspire the owners - and the government too, who of course should take responsibility for it in first instance, and not blame the Australians to pay compensation as the explosion on the Matara(?) off shore oil fields in North West Australia is blamed to have caused the agar2 to die. Actually the neglicence durung the oil change and besides that too, that the overload for diesel at the top of the nozzels had been allowed to let the excess diesel to be discharged into the bilge and later pumped out. Only with this simple device a clean oil change is possible, as many of those diesel engines nearly touch the bilge water at the outlet and are nearly inaccessable. With those simple implements the seas round Sabu and Raijua could be protected. I just inform You about that difficulty here, and waiting for those in power is usually futile, as they remain in their nice offices with their computers. Better to approach the boatowners directly. Additional information at the Suction Gun: The handle has to be changed as it easily breacks. We have to bring them to the welder here and he welds a small peace of concrete iron at the end of the handle, and it will become nearly troublefree. So far my first e-mail to You with many thanks and with "welcome to those who will visit us from Rotary in only 20 days". Until then, many greetings and thanks from all of us,

Franz Lackner