It was a tough trip. With much responsibility with jazmin. Here is the update.
The money raised was spent on a private clinic
in Iquitos; jazmin was a few weeks away from death. Her body weight was
only 20 kilos and Nicholas a local man was sent to find her and bring
her to Iquitos two weeks before I arrived. With a lot of medical attention
she has made a remarkable recovery.
Jazmin was found naked but for a tee shirt her only possession. She was
covered in parasites and her legs useless to her and infested with worms.
She was eating off the floor like an animal, when food was available.
Her mother has several children to feed and had given up on jazmin, basically
she was left to die. She would drag herself around on her elbows. These
are the words of Nicholas. If an animal she would have been put down as
an act of mercy. Those are my words. After a month in hospital we have
sent her to Lima the capital city, to a children's hospital with her we
had to send a nurse and all of these costs have come from the money raised.
$4000. Unfortunately now the money has gone. I have friends who will collect
for her, and plan an open healing day in a swords hotel in a few weeks
time. All proceeds will go to jazmin. What her final outcome will be!
We just don't know yet and hope the scan in Lima will guide our future
decisions.
There are a lot of people who connect with her struggle. She has suffered
so much in such a short life. Her eye sight is fading; again we hope that
the doctors can reverse that. Every thing costs money and the medication
is not available like here in Ireland. It all has to be purchased outside
of the hospital. If who ever connects with her struggle please contact
me.
The raft race for three days went well; the Amazon River was a hard challenge.
The first Irish team managed to finish the race, but we didn't win. The
bath I found in Columbia but has a price tag of a million peso, which
is a ransom; the people knew just how much it meant to me and the project.
At lease I know where it is now, I am back six days now and feel positive
with respect to Jazmin. But a lot of work still to do thanks again for
your continued support Darragh. And to the Jazmin circle in Peru, Mark,
Loes, Nicholas, and Claudine, and the Irish circle you know who you all
are.
Blessings
AUGUST 2008
I have someone going to her village Marc from Iquitos to advise the family that we have secured the money required for Jazmin.they will be there this week.And i hope to get her into hospital next week and not have her wait until i get there in two months time. This takes a lot of time pressure off me also.and will be good to know she has the medical care she needs. This trip will be a real beauty for sure,it will have travel, physical challenge,treasure hunt for the bath in Columbia.and to meet up with Jazmin in hospital and see the kids in the orphanage. Of course i will miss sunny Ireland yer right.!!!
If we are lucky and find the bath, the late late show have promised to cover the story. This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of the project and perhaps get in some much sponsorship and funds for the children. As a child growing up the late late show was and still is big news here in Ireland.To think there is a chance to actually make it on the show.
Strange i had a feeling that one day this would come to pass.So at my most positive please let this come to be universe.! I hope the Farc rebels haven't taken a liking to having a wash in my bath.well if so there will be a serious issue.Hell know no fury like a man processed.!!
A big thank you to my friend Doro for her support and friendship.put on your seat belt Doro you are in for a great trip. And Roxanne a beautiful woman from Canada. thank you for your strength and company.
Missing you. Rob
Fund raising plans going well. Media very supportive.
Feeling very positive.
Stage two. I'm looking for a number of volunteers for the following plan.
I have arranged for two teams to compete against other countries in an
open raft race on the Amazon River. This event is the idea of my friend
Mike Collins in Peru. This has been a year by year event that attracts
many from various back grounds.
I'm looking for fit water people with a sense of adventure. This will be the first Irish team. And I don't plan to come last. For a brief idea of the plan. Fly Peru over night Lima city. Internal flight Iquitos town. Day trip up river via fast boat to Jazmin village, stay overnight rain forest. Return Iquitos with Jazmin.
Trip down river to build two rafts one day to prepare teams. Four days on river and jungle for camping with fellow teams. Arrival Iquitos hopefully in one piece. Two days to recover and trip up Amazon River to Columbia. Three days to locate and find missing bath in the jungle in teams of four with local guides.
Back to Iquitos visit orphanage Caritos and the kids.
This is not a project for the faint hearted. This project is about national pride. Challenge on all levels. With the children and there needs at heart. This is a vehicle for fund raising for these children. I can promise those who come a two week holiday that will live on and on, not to be experienced again. More details as I progress along with this.
The date of departure 14th September 08.And I require four woman and three men, that's two teams of four per raft. There are places on the support boat that will journey with us on the raft race. For those who can take a decent picture and video footage.
Rob
Hi all busy period since my last update. I have now opened my own holistic business. Moved from were I was living minus a partner, such is life.
Finding some peace in working at my holistic shop.
I am based in Swords just passed Dublin airport. North Street, opposite
the old court house. I have started a collection point there for loose
change. Only opened six weeks and already have 180 euro collected for
Jazmine the young girl in Peru.
I plan to head back there in several months time or when I can raise the
money required for her long hospital stay. Again any cash donated, every
cent goes to her. I cover my own expenses, not sure just how as yet but
God is good.
We plan to have a quiz night in the local pub on the 17th April. This event is the brain child of Ann from portrane. A big thank you Ann. Also Pat from Donabate will host the night, so a great night for all. The pub is Keelings in Donabate. If anyone wishes to help and can't make it to the quiz night - love to see you in the shop. Cobweb and Angels. 0857253566.
Big thank you to the Fingal newspaper for all its support and their new reporter Julie-Ann. I just know all my friends will come on the night. Again thanks to Darragh in Guilty Fish.com who has created this website - without this, it would be impossible.
For all those who's love and energy make it possible
thank you.
Rob
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: robert dowling <amazonquest@gmail.com>
Date: Nov 30, 2007 9:44 AM
Subject: Re: hi from robbie ,Ireland.
To: Martha Alfaro <marthaalfaro@......>
Martha, so good to hear back from you .your English is better than mine, laughs.
Ok so what can we do from here, my partner Antoinette has given me 300 dollars, money she has been saving for a holiday, ah bless her. I will match the same figure and send soonest, can you send me bank details and we will get that money over to you soonest, $600.00 This is a start.
I need to get some support financially, perhaps
do a fund raise in my local pub to help her..That's my problem, smiles.
Ill do what I can. for now I need to know more about her condition, perhaps
her doctor can send details to my doctor and we can see what can be done.
A pity your work finishes next month in the village, we have to work a
way of helping her and I know you will help; you all have big hearts in
Caritas. The money will get the ball rolling. Get back to me soonest.
Kind wishes rob and Antoinette.
Date: Nov 29, 2007 11:44 PM
Subject: Re: hi from robbie ,Ireland.
To: robert dowling <amazonquest@gmail.com>
Hi Robbie, its great to received your comunication, i`m still in
Cáritas
and working on MIshana too. We`ll be happy with your visit next year, well, i wont be here in caritas, but the other people will be. We are finalizing the proyect in Mishana, and this december is our last visit with this work.
On november, we went to Mishana and talk with the girl who is paralysed. She is good, we help her with the money you get to her, and she went to Iquitos with her father. We went to the specialist doctor and they can't do much for her, because she needs a long medical treatment because she has different illnes with her legs, spine, eyes and skin, because she has bad conditions of salubrity.
Robby, you can do many things for her, but the principal reason is the family and the conditions of life, but she is a good girl and her mother wants to help her but they dont have economics resources.
Bob, i dont have the contact of Mario Kircher, the austian voluntier, but i´m found it for you.
I send to you a big hug and the best desires in this christmas!!!
Ah! sorry for my english, i know is very bad!!!
Martha
Amazon return trip update.
A year after my return to Ireland I am just about to leave for a return 2 week trip to Peru. My objective is to visit the people who helped me on the project and to go back to Columbia to find my bath and bring it home to Dublin.
During the last year many people have expressed the desire to actually see this bath, including the media, I see it as an opportunity to generate some more publicity for the project and a chance to perhaps auction off this bath for charity. That’s if I can find it !!
The story.
More long haul flights and the usual overnight stay in Lima city following on with a flight out the next day to Iquitos. How do I feel, well apprehensive to say the least. This is costing alot of money but I feel the pull and need to go back. .
The jet ski idea as previously mentioned, is still possible and I also need to meet with the people I’ll be with on this future project.
Arrival Iquitos May 07.
Gosh it feels like I have never left. The sights, the sounds, and that darn heat. I meet with Mike, the Expedition Leader I had met on my first trip, to discuss jet ski project and I pay my respects to Caritas and give a personal donation for the children in the orphanage. It’s so good to be back; the kids are just great, so full of life and again I was made feel like a part of the family. I took the opportunity to go up river for a few days and see first hand the work of Caritas in a remote village called Allpahuayo Mishana Reserve, a half day trip by boat.
Arrival ouch.
The team and I finally made it in a leaking boat with a troublesome engine. This meant that the original journey time of 4 hours actually took 9 hours in the dark with only a torch light to navigate our way. I must say I loved it all! The journey was made with two young Austrian volunteers and three people from Caritas. Cold and tired we all made our way to a large community wooden hut to sleep. The others were better prepared than I having brought with them inflatable mattresses whereas my bed was a wooden plank and sleep did not come easy.
Sunrise was magnificent reflected on the waters edge. Looking worse for the wear and feeling my age I had breakfast with the group and after that got to meet the people of the village. To me it seemed like time had stood still in this place. Their sense of community spirit was obvious as they went about their daily chores young and old together. Even the laughter of the children who have so little, so few possessions but in reality I perceived them to have more than their western counterpart.
These few days here left a lasting impression on me, a feeling of oneness with the people and mother nature. I also left with some bad parasites that found me charming and decided to come home with me, but due to the Irish weather, vacated the premises, my body, after 2 months!
Before I left the village, I was introduced to a twelve year old girl who was paralysed from the waist down due to an unknown disease that had afflicted her the year previous. With only her mother to support and help her, her future looked bleak. Even now when I look at her picture I cry inwardly for her and you can see in her eyes she has lost hope for the future as her body lies wasting on the floor of a tiny bamboo hut looking out the small window of her life in quite despair.
Her name is Hasmear.
I did what I could paying for her to journey to a medical centre in Iquitos to see what if anything, could be done for her.
My two young friends from Austria and I decided not to return to Iquitos by boat and instead to trek through the rain forest with the aid of a guide. This was an extreme struggle for me as I was so very tired having had so little sleep on a wooden bed and made the more difficult by donning a pair of rubber wellies which Mike assured me would be the best type of footwear for the rain forest. It may have kept the insects from rising up through the rubber soles but it also acted like a food enriched aquarium as the little water borne insects and parasites gorged themselves on my size 11 feet for 24 hours!
We eventually made it back alive and I personally made a mental note never again….
I met Mike the next day and he told me of a young girl of seven who needed medical attention. She had had a temporary colostomy bag fitted but in the heat and unhygienic conditions this was prone to infection notwithstanding the fact that for a young 7 year old it severely curtailed her youthful playfulness. A simple surgical procedure could correct this including return flights to Lima, for the princely sum of $300! An impossible sum for the family but I was happy to help and I look forward to meeting with them under better circumstances upon my return.
The search for the bath.
From Iquitos I took a fast speed boat to the Columbia town of Leticia where I last saw my craft. Did I say fast?! The journey actually took 22 hours on the mighty Amazon river travelling day and night, stopping only for supplies. Looking back it seemed more fun on the bath as I had travelled the same route minus a few wrong turns, this time however it was more luxurious especially without the piranha fish nibbling my toes performing the Amazonian pedicure!
In the early hours of the morning I found myself standing on the quayside, bag in hand with only a photograph of Daniel, my Columbian contact with whom I had entrusted the care of the bath a year before. He was not aware of my arrival as I had no contact details for him and I felt the time pressure looming as my return flight to Ireland was only 2 days away. However, luck was on my side and later that day I found someone who knew where he was.
The meeting.
“Ah hi Daniel, how’s it going? By the way you know the bath I left with you…. I kinda need it back“. “My friend” said Daniel, “you haven’t contact me so long I thought you dead and thanks for equipment you donate to children of village, chance of more?”. “Daniel my friend” I replied, “I really need the bath back and you are most welcome to the support I gave you and yours, now the bath…”. “Oh Mr. Robert you are such good man. What you left really helped, tomorrow we go to village and meet children and you see what your kindness has done for us.” “Great. Now the matter of the bath…” “Oh well its been long time and I sell it to lady for money.” He tells me he got twenty cents for it! “What?” I cried, “No bath! But I need to bring home to Ireland to sell to get more money so we can help this village.”
“Sorry Daniel” I replied “I have travelled far and we must search for this bath at first light.”
After a sleepless night we did just that. We found the lady who had bought the bargain bath but unfortunately she got a fright when her baby slipped on its wet surface and believed it was cursed. So she left it outside her hut and a man took it away for the price of a cigarette!
Goodbye Columbia.
Having to return to Ireland the next day, I left Daniel and friends on good terms searching for the bath with a reward of $100 offered for its safe return. Posters have been placed on the local banana trees…
There was work done in the village with the money raised by selling off my equipment last year; the much needed funds bought materials necessary for a new footbridge over the river.
Home to Ireland.
I arrived back worn and weary, needing some tender
love and care. I was disappointed in not finding my bath but happy to
have seen my friends and the children again. This trip also served to
confirm my conviction to help these children in what ever way possible.
Next move.
I plan to try again next year completing the journey down the mighty
Amazon on a jet ski and of course to find that infamous bath. But I need
help; I have a goal to set up an Irish registered charity to raise funds
for the children who live on the Amazon River. Both cash and volunteers
for building projects are needed so if you are looking for a challenge
and think you have got what it takes or want to be a part of something
amazing, contact me.
I also take this opportunity to thank everyone for the Best of Irish May
06 award, the Star newspaper, TV3 and Waterford Glass. A big thank you
to Darragh of guilty fish.com for this wonderful web site. To my friends
and family who’s support has been invaluable. This has been for me
a journey of lessons of the heart and major change and is far from over.
The Dub in the Tub.
Hi
all, well one month back home in Ireland, Dublin.To be honest finding
it hard to settle back in to normal life.My
plan now is to return to Peru this October. Unpaid leave from work for
a month.
Ouch!
Objective to return to the small village in Columbia where I left
the bath, pick up and bring with me down river to the coast a city called
Belem.from there fly home with me.
Now I just have to raise sponsorship from somewhere, need to hire a team,
a boat, purchase supplys. Cost of all this is around 10.000 to 12.000
us dollars.
A new campaign (bring the bath home) well she has to earn her passage
and complete the journey. This wont be easy for sure. A dangerous journey
all the way to the coast.
This also will be a world first, with the help of mike and Richard in
Peru. I believe can be achieved. These people are experts and I trust
them.
Jet ski journey for Richard and myself will be a major challenge on all
levels. Mike bless you for coming up with a solution to my problem and
a wonderful idea.
A big thank you to the Irish star newspaper and tv3 television station,
and Waterford glass for the award.(best of Irish) in general the media
interest is growing by the week.
Also thank you to the Irish voice newspaper in America.
I need to get some hard cash in for these children, many thanks to all
who have made a donation to date. The money raised at auction for the
bath, perhaps on live television when I return will purchase materials
required to rebuild the mud huts in that small Columbian village .15 homes
in total. So I plan to return there next may when the rains have finished.
Ill need to get together a team of volunteers with building experience
and strong backs? To come with me for a month.
I guess a lot to ask someone but hey I promise this will be an experience
of a lifetime. And I make a mean breakfast. Laughs.
Serious I am only one man - I need help. This can be done open your hearts
and nothing will stop you.
My personal email is rekilight@hotmail.com
Regards rob.
[The Story So far...]
I guess all stories have to have a ending at some stage. This story is no different. Born as a idea 25 years ago from a spotty teenager, to a reality, a goal that was achieved after a years work, and at a cost personally to me 15000 dollars.
You know the saying (if only I knew then what I know now) hell no where is the fun. A shame I couldn't make it to the final destination. Had it not been for a official meddling who had little concept of charity I would be on the river today - but hey - I did 400 miles in a bath !!As someone very special to me said quote, "you know rob it is how it should be."
Having had a cool down period, time to reflect, I realise that to be totally honest the possibility of a bullet in my head was growing stronger with each passing day. I don't wish to go into those thoughts not right now.
The project was like a tree it had many branches. The children's charities close to my heart and the joys in the eyes of those children I met who have such a cruel and uncertain future ahead of them.
Maybe its the male macho ego that's so strong in me and I need a challenge after so much personal loss in my life.
I have so many people to thank, my head spins. Support of a emotional nature, believe in the project. Kind words of support. Dirty jokes sent to my satellite phone. Laughs. And my old friend Declan who was with me the night I got the the idea all those years ago. And who has been the trusted media spokesman on this project. Declan Dunne you are almost as mad as me, bless you.
What next. Well it so happened that I have been offered a place on a two-man team. The challenge to Jet Ski down the Amazon River to the coast.
Not really sure it is possible, and very dangerious, another worlds first. Not my idea, and at my age, the dangers involved, I have decided to accept (laughs) come on if it was easy would you be bothered.
Ok am broke in need of sponsors on this next project. My personal email is rekilight@hotmail.com.
In respect to funds raised by this project, well it is still ongoing. The media have a story to tell and with that the children's hospital account number will be given out. I hope in my heart that people will donate to this project.
I wish to state that at no time will one cent go towards my own expences, costs etc. This is for the kids who are (our tomorrows. )
I achieved my objective by solo sailing down the mighty Amazon River totally alone in a domestic bath. Was I scared at times? No I was scared all the time. (Laughs) It was tough; I have many pics and video diary .I hope to perhaps do a documentary in time.
As for now, a big thanks to one and all who had, and didn't have belief in this challenge. To all the people and children who touched my heart, to the new friends I have made .You know who you are.
And finally my two sons. I love you guy's. Dad.
[20/5/06]
Looks like Monday sail. Navy will give final decision 9 am.
Have secured a driver Mr. Fransico. Purchase supplies tomorrow fingers crossed. The project must continue.
A warm thank you to the Columbian consul who helped so much his name Marco Antonio Caicedo Avendano title is consul de Colombia.
Also a huge thank you for Luis Daniel Gonzalez who has been a major factor in this project moving on. HE has a business I wish to plug.www.amazone-adventure.nl
Daniel is a guide and has much knowledge, a good man who can be trusted. Daniel and I go back to a small village in Columbia to make a cash donation to help the 35 kids there. This will go a long way in helping them.
Can't wait to get moving. My driver thinks we can make final exit point in perhaps 18 days all going well.
6.30 start until night
[Tapatiga, Brazil 15/05/06 ::: 17.25 local time]
Arrived in Brazil at last!
Have formalised immigration documents - Must take three days off as suffering from multiple insect bites and seeking medical help today.
Also I need to replace the engine as its 15 hp power is not enough and only managing five knots per hour - Will have to modify bath to accommodate heavier engine - Looking forward to the joy of sleeping in a bed later!!
***PLEASE NOTE***
The cost of the entire quest including all preparations, Air fares
and replacement equipment is entirely borne by Rob. NO monies raised
or donated to the charites have been used to aid or assist Rob in this
challenge.
[11/5/06 ::: 20.15
local time]
Recieved word via officials in Peru that voyage
is now nearing the frontier.
It is vital that Rob does not stray near the left bank of the river as
this is FARC controlled terrority (Colombia) and a very high risk of kidnap
or even worse.
He must put ashore at the island of Santa Rosa to undergo immigration
procedures to offically exit from Peru - then onto the town of Tabatinga
in Brazil to recieve his entry stamp into the country.
The official went on to say " We, all of us here, wish Rob all the
very best on this incredible voyage - he is a very brave man - but Iam
afraid that once Rob enters Brazil, I cannot offer any more help"
[6/5/06 ::: 07.06 local time]
I wish to say on behalf of Irish people my thanks to the Caritas organization
for their support and belief in this project.
The General Secretary of Caritas Iquitos Hna Betty Herrera Altamirano
and her collegue Mr.Manuel Guadalupe are two very wonderful people indeed.
A very special thanks must go to the Prefecto - regional head of armed
forces and Police Mr. Joaquin J.E. Planas Morelli - I thank you sir for
your personal support and protection on this journey.
It is with real regret that I must now leave these wonderful people of
Iquitos and espically my friends and guides Carlos and Gaston who have
done so much for me.
Now let the journey begin
[1/5/06 ::: 09.46 Local time]
Arrived in Peru after long and eventful flight from Dublin arriving five
hours late.
A bag containing vital equipment went missing when I arrived in Lima from
Caracas (Venezuela) - Finally located bag with assistance from the local
Police.
Have now arrived in Iquitos and establishing base camp for final preparations
next week - Checked communications equipment and all working perfectly.
Feeling nervous but full of confidence!
[T MINUS 48 HOURS]
I fly back to Peru on Friday 28th April 2006. Arriving in Lima and then
a 2 hour internal flight to a town on the Amazon River call Iquitos.
There the craft is waiting for me; I will spend 3 days in Iquitos to finish any snags that need to be done before I depart. All going well I should set off on the 6th May.
My course is down river with the flow to the border of Columbia and Brazil. This will be approx 400Kilometres of the challenge. The majority of the challenge will be in Brazil terriorty. My goal is to reach a town called Almerim close to the coast. Total distance to travel n the region of 3400 miles. Journey time, all going well will be about 2 months.
Sleeping on a hammock on the bath and when possible to make camp base on land, I'll be sleeping in a tent. A video diary will be ten minutes per day maximum. I'll also have a digital camera on board.
I didnt take holidays last year in order to take two years together. My employer does not want to be associated with this challenge but my company colleagues give me their blessings on this venture.
I have been in discussions with Temple Street Hospital
and they have, after many questions, given me their approval to raise
much needed fund for the children. I have also been in discussion with
a charity based in Iquitos call Caritas. They have offered to help me
and in return I have promised them a percentage of the total cash collected
to be send to them via the Temple Street Children's Hospital
Fund.
This I feel is only right as we in Ireland are rich in comparison. The break down in funds raised is 75% to the Temple Street Hospital and the balance to Caritas in Peru.
I have personally invested €10,000 in this project. Seems a lot I know, but in reality it's about the cost of a fitted kitchen. My main concern is to make it back home having completed the challenge. And most importantly, to raise funds for both charities.
I know this is a world's first attempt and unique in a sense, with all the corruption and greed we see day by day, isn't it good to see something positive.
I will do my very best to make this challenge common knowledge to one and all in Ireland, with media help etc, this can be a success.