2022 TRIP REPORT

During the two-year interruption in in-person support due to the COVID-19 pandemic, solar technician Yarnel Villafañe maintained the installed solar systems and distributed life-saving relief to the people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Already at high risk for respiratory illness, the communities were damaged by the coronavirus, and only recently became stable enough to welcome outside assistance.

Subsequently, the TOMA team returned to the Sierra in February of 2022. The goal for February was to transport and install two new systems in the Arhuaco villages of Bunkwamake and Jeywin in the southern region of the Sierra. The team welcomed new members Jim Britnell and John Werner and quickly got to work, successfully installing the systems.

For 2023, the plan is to continue the mission of empowering the communities of the Sierra to take their health into their own hands. The team plans to take advantage of the 19 solar systems currently installed by transporting and connecting at least five vaccine refrigerators, a crucial part of the health infrastructure for tribal communities.

TOMA Foundation has been laying the groundwork in the form of remote solar systems for years, and now it is time to build on that foundation. Currently, four vaccine refrigerators are connected and functional, but we have the opportunity to more than double that by mid-2023. This would create a more robust, more dependable, and resilient Indigenous health network for years to come.

The foundation’s needs this upcoming year include the following:

• Five vaccine refrigerators – $30,000

• Trip supplies and gear – $5,000

• Travel expenses – $5,000
  Total – $40,000

Please consider supporting TOMA this year in whatever capacity you can. The tribal communities of the Sierra Nevada are incredibly grateful for your continued support, as are we. We could not do this work without you.

Thank you.
Randall Green, Director
TOMA – Celebrating 25 Years

TOMA TEAM
Eric Winslow, Tim Wolfe MD, Taylor Green, Randy Green,
Claudia Gomes da Cunha, RN, Jim Britnell & John Werner
Gonawindua IPSI: Jaison Perez Villafañe, Yarnel Villafaña Torres & Wilman Suarez Izquierdo MD

Design: Dan Martin • Photography: Yarnel, Taylor Green • Editing: Taylor Green
gofund.me/334306dc

Randall Green, Director • Tribal Outreach Medical Assistance • 678-644-6383 • [email protected]
512 Swan Range Road • Orange City, Florida 32763

TOMA
Celebrating 25 Years
tomatribaloutreach.org