• 40' Container shipment to Guatemala includes ultrasound unit

In July 2003, FAMSCO shipped a 40' container with a cargo of nearly 14,000 lbs. to Juan Forster of the Guatemala Sur Rotary Club of Guatemala City. Juan is a long-time FAMSCO supporter and collaborator and perhaps the most well-known Rotarian in all of Central America. Included in the shipment is an ultrasound machine which was specifically requested by Juan for use in a women's' clinic. In addition to the usual broad assortment of medical equipment and supplies, this shipment also included a substantial amount of school furniture for use at the Nuevo Amanecer Primary School, which serves a very poor community on the southern edge of Guatemala City. District 6000 has been a supporter of this school since it was rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Mitch.

• 40' Container shipment to El Salvador will help under-equipped hospitals

FAMSCO shipped a 40’ container to the Salvadoran organization Gift of Life for distribution there. This is the third such container shipped to Gift of Life and as in the past the contents will be donated to hospitals and clinics in various parts of El Salvador. Included in the shipment were several dental chairs, a dental X-ray machine, wheelchairs, gurneys, and many other medical goods and supplies, in all about 15,000 lbs. worth.

• Iowa Hospital Association agrees to help

Rotarian Linda Muston has been appointed Coordinator of Procurement to establish a network of private and institutional donors of equipment. With the assistance of the Iowa Hospital Association, Linda has been able to introduce FAMSCO as an alternative for transfer of operational medical equipment to needy clinics and hospitals in Central America. Donations to FAMSCO are classified as charitable gifts.

• Fire Truck for Xicotepec, Puebla, Mexico

FAMSCO acquired a Fire Truck for Xicotepec from the Oxford Iowa Fire Department in August 2002 and contracted delivery in conjunction with the humanitarian team mission in March 2003 to the Rotary Club of Xicotepec, Mexico.

More than a dozen Interact and Rotaract members from Ames, Iowa City, Jefferson and Davenport participated as members of the humanitarian mission team to Xicotepec. Rotarians helped sponsor team members by pledging United Frequent Flyer Miles to help defray costs.

• Dallas Center Rotarians get fired up

Rotary Club sends equipment to Mexico

• Rotaract and Interact provide heavy lifting support for old geezers

In December 2002 University of Iowa Rotaractors gave a much appreciated hand to FAMSCO by packing, palletizing and inventorying some 40 large cartons (known as gaylords) and helping to unload a 53-foot semi trailer filled with school furniture obtained by the Dallas Center Rotary Club. Most of the gaylords have now been shipped to El Salvador and Guatemala. Part of the school furniture has also been shipped to Guatemala.

• Fishers, Indiana RC provides fire truck to Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico with FAMSCO's help

In November, 2002, FAMSCO shipped a fire truck to the town of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. The donation of the truck was arranged in collaboration with the Fishers, Indiana Rotary Club, the Santa Anita Rotary Club and the Lomas de Zapopan Rotary Club (both of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico). The Fishers club provided funds for the purchase of the fire truck, and the Mexican clubs provided funds for shipping the fire truck. This will be the first fire truck ever in the city of Tequila and it will provide service to an area with a population of over 300,000.