Padang Operations Journal

War Wounds: A Final Blog from the Edge

2009-11-19T20:05:00.000-08:00

Time in the field allows the mind space to observe and create.
More like jazz than logic.
The pen knows what it wants to say...

The agony that is Padang can be found not in the lingering scent of human corruption,
nor in the crooked, bent and sagging walls,
but in the sight of a limping cat, making its way through the traffic and the rain.

Nimble.
Resourceful.
Fatalistic.

The Indonesian people rebuild...brick by bloody brick.
Moving on.
On their own, like that cat.
Beat up as a way of life. They expect nothing. Have only their backbones to lean on.
They move on.
_____________________________

The problem is the false premise that organisms care about each other.
Care is the ultimate luxury.
That is why the wealthy do not embrace the concept.
They don't get it.
They take it. They enjoy it. They even sell it. But they never give it.
Giving is weak. A type of death.
Care as a luxury. Only to be doled out in miserly portions...and only when easily affordable.

All men are created equal?
Not a chance.

And yet they move on.

_____________________________

The heavens have opened.
A battering rain--cleansing and troublesome.
Though it keeps the dust down, it soaks the precarious cement of
the rubble-strewn city, causing cave-in's even at this late date.

Ten pounds lighter, having just survived a bout with Dengue fever,
my thoughts swirl as I slowly regain my strength...heartbeat by heartbeat.

The Equator.
The white man's graveyard.

The hospital experience will not soon be forgotten.
Slipping in and out of consciousness.
At one point waking to a priest and acolytes praying over me.
Platelets down to 60.
One step from a coma.
A midnight ghost at the foot of my bed calling me to join him.
It took all I had to lift my phone and snap off a quick photo before passing out once again.

The unexplained is all around here.

_____________________________

Our most recent mission was into the jungle of Pariaman.
Tony Litwak, David Lupo and Patra of Kogami leading the way,
finding small enclaves of need. With Dengue setting in, I could barely help as David, Tony and Patra dug in and built shelters for a number of families, and one memorable old man.

Tonight's rain fills me with pride for my hardworking friends.
Where there were people bundled in the rain-drenched jungle,
now a cooking fire, warmth, dry blankets and the laughter of children.

It isn't all grim.

We even had a chance to take a group of female workers
out onto the sea aboard the Mikumba, where we taught
them how to swim, enjoy and respect the ocean, so that the sea
not only represents some dark mystery full of demons and tsunamis,
but contains joy...a life giving joy.
A resource.
A wilderness.
An adventure at the front door.
A beauty.

_____________________________

Thank you for all your support.
It went straight to the people.
Simple comfort.
A dry, warm place to sleep and rebuild.
And all of it from halfway around the world.
Brought here to be carried the Last Mile.
This is the best work in the world.
Mankind at its best.

And what of fevers, weight loss, mosquitoes, nightmares,
ghosts and personal suffering?

Nothing more than a simple, exacted price.
Wounds to be proud of.
War wounds.

~MG
Padang, West Sumatra
2009

2009-10-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Friends,

Although I'm aware that the Padang Earthquake Emergency has fallen off the news cycle, we remain here at the crossroads of the surfing world continuing our work.

The latest news...

We were invited to join the local non-profits here for a recent mission up into devistated Pariaman District. KOGAMI, Padang's Earthquake/Tsunami awareness organization, IDEP and the GREEN SCHOOL all contributed with supplies and support.

Patra Dewi, David Lupo, Tony Litwak and I headed into worst hit area and rolled up our sleeves. With the kits donated by IDEP, we were able to shelter a number of families who are still living under the stars in miserable conditions.

Our biggest job came when David announced we were going clear all the rubble and wreckage off a house foundation, recycle what usable material we could, and rebuild a basic new tarp home for them.

The whole community pitched in. It was like an Amish Barn building, where everyone worked one place one day and then at another house the next.

We were also able to treat a few injuries in between the sweltering work of clearing rubble under the equatorial sun.

I know that I will never forget the sight as we pulled away in the dark, of the families continuing to work by the light of the Glowsticks we gave them.

...These are a remarkably resilient people.

Little Julia, the 10 year old whose house we were rebuilding, was home alone when the earthquake hit, and became the hero of the village by finding and grabbing her younger siblings, then dragging them out of the house just as it collapsed into oblivion.

Funny how amidst disaster, mankind is often at it's best.

So...of course we would like to ask for your continued support. Every dime helps.
Imagine yourself in this situation...and then donate at LastMileOperations.org and we'll take it from there.

Be well, count your blessings, and appreciate the roof over your head.

Onward,
~Matt

2009-10-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Friends,

Thank you for all your support. We continue our work here in Padang, West Sumatra in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has struck the crossroads of international surfing.

We are very proud to inform you that Mr. David Lupo and Mr. Tony Litwak, long time supporters, have taken a leave of absence from their jobs in San francisco and have volunteered to help us with our remote village medical outreach. David, A certified EMT who works with the San Francisco Fire Department and Tony, a youth empowerment advocate and filmmaker, are spearpointing our remote village clinics.

Today, thanks to you, our donors, we were able to treat over 60 patients who are still recovering amidst the dust and rubble of what was once their homes.

We are proud of you all.

Take care, count your blessings and from David, Tony, Last Mile Operations and West Sumatra,

Please, Be well.
~Matt

2009-10-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

There was a fire in Chinatown today right next to our clinic. No traumatic injuries, thank heavens. One building gone. Lots of respiratory patients. The fire department performed admirably without tanks, oxygen or masks....Insane.

**I accepted a medical mission tomorrow up into the landslide country.

Be well & thanks for your support.

~Matt

2009-10-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Though we still have our small medical clinic up and running in Chinatown, we also continue our supply phase of the operations here partnered with the German Group Arche Indo. We have found a number of remote villages that have yet to be helped and we are currently getting the trucks as close as we can and then carrying in supplies on foot.

We have found the most useful supplies right now are tools, nails, tarps, bamboo, rice, canned fish, cooking oil, soaps, feminine pads, baby food, sledgehammers, crow bars and kerosene for lamps.

The kerosene is tricky. It does not travel well and always finds some way to leak all over hell. Not to mention that it feels like we are driving around with a load of Nitroglycerin considering that every Indonesian smokes cigarettes, disaster or no.

Funny, in all the disasters I have helped with around the world...cigarettes are always in great supply. Odd.

Of note will be the supply of clothing and goods we are getting shipped to us from the surfing industry. Thanks to Sean Smith at SIMA for this effort. He organized the whole thing and it will be a big help. At any rate, the energy is up, the team is working well. Our main connection here in Padang is a man named Charli Josal, the local hardware magnate. He can be found in some of our photos. A very special word of appreciation must go out to him. Without his expertise, capabilities and compassion, we would be sunk. Thanks, Charli. And to all of you, thanks for your support and belief. Do not forget our fundraiser Friday night at the premiere of Hans Hagen's new film. Again, thanks to all. Onward, ~Matt

2009-10-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

The long clean-up begins here in Padang. First aid and general health continues in our humble clinic in Chinatown. Mostly wound and infection management, redressing bandages, suture removals, splints and some midwifery. Also, there is a great deal of respiratory distress due to the particulate matter in the air. This place is just dusty as hell. Everything kicked up from the debris like a tule fog. We were able to get our hands on a big supply of simple face masks. The whole town is wearing them. Believe it or not, it really helps. Quite often in a situation like this, the simplest solutions are the best.

We've also begun a small program that is bypassing all the confusion of the big organizations. Today we were able to obtain hygiene kits, food and tools--enough for about 150 families. This is mostly stuff that falls off the back of a truck...if you know what I mean. We will be sending the materials out in the morning as soon as the sun comes up.

Even though rainy season is upon us, there has been no rain for over a week. Very rare here. The weather, predictably here on the equator, has been hot and humid, about 90-105 degrees. The lack of rain has been a Godsend, because so many people are still without shelter. We will continue operations here.

Trying to raise enough dough to start a boat operation up to the more remote northern coastline, and from there overland up into landslide country. Again, thanks to all for your continued support. Padang, the crossroads of international surfing, is in distress and you are all answering the call.

Onward, ~Matt

2009-10-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

My friends,

As you probably know, LAST MILE OPERATIONS responded to the earthquake disaster that leveled Padang, West Sumatra.

I have currently set up small street Medical clinics staffed by myself and Medical students whom I found at the local University.

The injured are still coming in and medicine and funds are in very short supply.
This is a humble request for any and all to please contribute what they can, however small, by visiting our website
I need more medicine...We need money.

We may have a boat ops underway. The Germans might give us a few bucks. About 5000 euros. Small op, but effective.

Everything else is all gummed up and moving slowly. I think told you I might be going in by sea, working with my friends at the local off-road racing organization to tear ass up into the hills in super jeeps and motocross bikes to reach the impossible.

This suggestion was met with astonishment at the UN center here. They have already tried to stop me.

"Can we do that?" They said.

My answer: "Watch me"

2009-10-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

All as well as can be considering the madness here.

I am currently working by candlelight in a small makeshift hospital I have set up in Chinatown with some medical students. Wound management, infections, new bandages, splints, etc.
Still no electricity.
Our tribe is safe and well. A few funerals to attend.
Swung a meeting with the US Navy, I will probably be hiking in to the outer regions to build Helicopter pads like I did in Pakistan. Then galvanize the communities to build shelter and bring in Medical.
IOM is here. They're interested in me working with them.
I might work for Surfaid on a maritime op on the Dbora up the coast. The outer edge of this disaster is dire...Absolutely no help up there.
Navy is talking about letting me parachute in with the boys as a guide.

Stay tuned.

More later. Sketchy internet here.

Be well.

Love to all, right in the pocket,

Onward,

~Matt

2009-10-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

I hope all is well at home.
Things are a mess in Padang.

Total chaos.

But not with us. We are connected and tight. I am Currently in Singapore collecting medicine. Will fly out noon tomorrow through KL and then Padang.
I'm on my way to meet with a guy about a water purification system.
Taxi is calling.
Gotta go.

Love to all.
~Matt