A Mast to Help the Masses

Eliza Arsenault is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

THE MISSION

This summer, I plan to set sail on the Historic Vessel Vega, embarking on a volunteer mission to deliver donated educational and medical supplies to remote communities in eastern Indonesia and East Timor. Shane and Meggie, the ship's owners, make this trip each year, and their unfailing and selfless dedication makes all the difference to about 50,000 people in these isolated areas, many of whom have been forgotten about by their countries and all of whom depend on Shane and Meggie's deliveries to restock their clinics and schoolrooms. The Vega also provides training and kits for midwives in the communities they help.

THE PROBLEM, THE GOAL

Recently, the Vega has come into trouble. One of the ship's masts is suffering from serious rot, and the Vega cannot embark on their mission without fixing it. Suitable wood has been found to replace the rotted mast, but unfortunately this wood is in the Netherlands. The price to get the wood to Singapore, where Shane is able to fix the mast himself, is £2,500 ($4,000). A reasonable price for the job, but exceeding the Vega's funds, which have recently been depleted by a much-needed engine overhaul.

The Vega needs help. Moreover, the 50,000 people they serve need help.

I ask that you help those isolated communities gain access to the educational and medical supplies they so dearly need, and for which they depend on the Vega. The goal is to raise at least half of the $4,000 needed to get the wood to Singapore. Every little bit counts! Your donation towards acquiring the wood needed to fix the Vega's rotted mast will be in direct service of school children, pregnant mothers, and communities at large.

MORE DETAILS

The Vega has been collecting and delivering donated supplies for a decade now. During half the year, they sail along the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, collecting supplies and visiting ports in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The other half of the year, they sail to Nusa Tenggara (eastern Indonesia) and East Timor, visiting many small islands communities. They've developed close relationships with these communities, and are loath to think that their mission to provide essential supplies to these communities may be disrupted this year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Read about the Vega and it's mission on their website www.sailvega.com or find them on Facebook (Historic Vessel Vega). Thank you so much for supporting the Vega and the people she serves!