Join us to visit the projects of Mayan Families. Jan. 18 – 24 Here’s a short VIDEO on our mission there last fall to give you a sense of what to expect! Also the article in Luxury Travel Magazine! Sunday, Jan 18th -Arrival in Guatemala City, transportation to Pana -Welcome Packet – Sack Lunch Welcome Dinner Monday, Jan 19th -Visit to El Barranco Pre-School where the children will perform traditional folkloric dances. We will then hand out donations we have brought with us. You have the opportunity to sponsor a child at the school, and Connie will let you know which children need sponsors. 
Tuesday, Jan 20th 
– Boat ride to San Juan Laguna were you will see demonstrations of natural dye making and back-strap weaving at the women’s co-ops. There will be lots of beautiful textiles to purchase. The afternoon will be free time. You will have the option to have dinner together at Penguinos where the owner, Miguel will entertain you with stories of his culture and with marimba music. (and you will have a chance to try your skill at making tortillas!) –
Wednesday, Jan 21st
– Return to El Barranco to do home visits and install 2 stoves. Those who sponsor a student will have the opportunity to visit their child’s home and meet their family. . Thursday, Jan 22nd -Free day where you can visit the Mayan Families wood working trade school, go zip lining, visit the Reserva Nature area, take a cooking class (if we have enough interested) or go to Chichicastenango and shop till you drop! Friday, Jan 23rd -Assist at Mayan Families Offices with whatever projects they have toing on and help with the elderly feeding program. – Farewell Dinner
Saturday, Jan 24th -Travel to Antigua and enjoy the day and evening in this beautiful colonial village. Sunday, Jan 25 -Depart for Guatemala City Airport.
For a group of 8-12, cost is $640 per person, which would include the following:
- · Donation to Mayarn Families
- Accommodations in Panajachel for Sunday through Friday night
- · Accommodations in Antigua for Saturday night
- · Transportation from the airport to Pana
- · Transportation from Pana to Antigua
- · Transportation from Antigua to Guatemala City
- · Transportation to and from Mayan Families activities
- · Translators
- Purchase and installations of two stoves
- · Breakfast every morning
- ·Three Dinners
- · One Lunch
The price does not include:
- ·All other meals
- · Alcoholic drinks and snacks
- · Email Mission Coordinator, Connie Turvey at turveycl@gmail.com for more information
- Upcoming missions planned for February and March! (see dates below)
Feb. 15-21Mar. 15-21
Thoughts from 
Masako (Bunny) Doi
“I have been volunteering my time to escort children since 1999 have escorted over 100 children over the years from all over the world. They are from Nepal, Burkina Faso, Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Indonesia, Guyana, Liberia. Cameroon, Afghanistan, Honduras, Peru and many others countries. I have been to the places that most tourists won’t go.
Each of them have different medical problems. Some of them were born with heart problems, cleft palates, colostomy, club feet, etc.. Some of them were burn victims of kerosene oil for heating and hot oil for cooking.
We help non profit agencies like Healing the children, Chinese Agape foundation, and many others. By working with flight attendants, who know how to travel (even in challenging conditions, the agencies do not have to purchase tickets for an escort and save more $$ to further help these children.
I see it as we are the circle of love: we all are doing our small part to heal each child, one by one.
We go and get these children who were found by non profit organizations and bring them to USA, met by their foster families who will take care of them before and after surgeries, and when they are ready to go home, we meet them at the airport and take them home to their family. We, the escorts are the only ones who meet the children’s family which I think we play extremely important role as their sick or injured children are leaving with strangers to unknown place to have surgeries. It’s a huge responsibility to reassure their mother (family) that they will be well taken care of. These children come from extremely poor environment and don’t have the resources to have surgeries in their countries. Most of them have families, but some are orphans who live in orphanages.
It’s my privilege to be a part of something truly helping children in need – for them, it’s life changing.
Especially it’s my pleasure to bring healed children to their family.
This is the moment of my reward – to see them reunited. These experiences are my treasures. ”
Note from Margaret Whitehead, Director, Children’s Medical Escort Program
“
My background is totally airline. I worked for a large airline for 30 years before it filed chapter 7 bankruptcy and closed down. During the time I was working, I also co-founded two inter-country adoption agencies and coordinated a different sort of child escort program where fellow employees brought babies and toddlers primarily from Korea to their adoptive parents throughout the U.S. After my airline shut down Nancy Rivard, heard about me and asked me to head up the AAI Children’s Medical Escort Program. This was in 1995 and I’ve done this continually since then.
American Airlines has been invaluable to our program since they generously give our active AA employees high priority bookable passes when they go on escort trips. Without this benefit I really don’t think we could continue. The agencies for whom we provide airline escorts also use AA’s Miles for Kids in Need program that gives free confirmed space tickets to children traveling to the U.S. for donated medical treatment. No other airline does this.
We have approximately 250 current and also retired airline employees in our medical escort program, with about 85% being AA affiliated. The escorts travel on their regular days off and only their actual expenses are reimbursed. Many have been with us for well over 10 years and we normally escort 12-15 children each month. These children come primarily from various Central and South American countries, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, China, and Haiti.
Bravo to Mending Kids International
Thanks to our Mileage Bank with United Airlines hard work by Cristina, Rodrigo was able to make it from El Salvador to Los Angeles who operated on him to receive a new ear. Mending Kids provides life-changing surgical care to children worldwide. Over the years, thousands of children have received corrective, transformational surgeries that have given them a chance at longer, healthier and happier lives. Most of the surgeries we perform are to correct congenital heart defects, orthopedic abnormalities, severe scoliosis, and significant cranial facial deformities.
Cristina with Rodrigo
This event, supported by 250 airport employees, was coordinated by the FLY-SFO Administrative Office and raised $150,000 to support Freedom House – Freedom House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to bring hope, restoration,and a new life to survivors of human-trafficking by providing a safe home and longterm aftercare.
NBC News story HERE and more HERE
The event began with a one-mile remembrance walk around the airport that included SFO Airport Director, John Martin. It concluded with informational presentations by Freedom House Founder, Jaida Im, as well as a graduate survivor of the Freedom House program at the Aviation Museum. Nancy Rivard, of Airline Ambassadors, commended coordinators, citing her goal to provide another training at SFO airport before Super Bowl 2016.
Over 250 airport personnel participated. 80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls; in a show of solidarity, the remembrance walk was comprised of men walking while women and men raised pledges to support them.
Here is Nancy Rivards’s comments at the event:
“Sunday was the SuperBowl in Phoenix, and law enforcement agencies in 17 states arrested nearly 600 people and rescued 68 victims of human trafficking. It’s particularly meaningful that this sting culminated on the day of the Super Bowl, which unfortunately has emerged as a prominent haven for sex trafficking.”
When I started Airline Ambassadors in 1996 to help orphans and vulnerable children I had never heard of human trafficking. Like most of us I thought slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation. But in 2009 after correctly identifying trafficking on four airlines…(one of those cases led to the bust of a pornography ring in Boston saving 86 children) we learned the truth, that human slavery is more prevalent now than at any time in human history. According to the ILO 2014 report it is a 150 Billion industry!
Traffickers move their victims frequently, often using the speed and convenience of commercial air travel. This keeps victims powerless – so they don’t have any friends or family or to places where they don’t speak the language. I knew as a flight attendant that airlines have infrastructure to train staff annually and this issue could be added to annual emergency procedure training.This one step alone would provide thousands of eyes and ears in the air, potentially saving thousands of lives. We researched the issue and learned horrifying statistics statistics that 600-800,000 victims are trafficked across borders annually and in our own country up to 100,000 children are at risk of exploitation. Working closely Customs Border Protection we developed an industry specific training which we kicked off with Congresswoman Jackie Speier in this very room in 2012. We will provide our 27th airport training in Chicago with the Dept of Aviation on Feb. 20, 2015.
Last month was Human Trafficking awareness month. Two bills were passed in Congress and our local Congressman Mike Honda introduced new legislation. We partnered with Bay Area Anti Trafficking Coalition to provide a training with Congressman Honda in San Jose last year, and with support from the Bay Area’s Bothman Construction, we will be able to do another training here at SFO as well before the SuperBowl in Santa Clara next year. Those of us in this room are all in a position to recognize and report human trafficking. We can be aware of indicators; Notice children and who accompanies them; or young women traveling alone; if a person is under control of a travel companion; has possession of their passport and travel documents; do they seem ashamed, frightened or nervous?;Afraid to make eye contact ; Afraid of uniformed security ? If a situation does not feel “right” we encourage everyone to go with their gut and call the DHS TIP Line. 866-347-2423. I have wallet cards with the TIP Line number for everyone in the room. You hope you are wrong, but that one action may save a life
Friday February 20, 2015 Airline Ambassadors, International (AAI) the only non-profit representing the overall airline industry conducted it’s 27th Child Trafficking Awareness Training for the Chicago O-Hare Airport Community as part of a new global training initiative to help the airline industry and the flying public spot and report the signs of human trafficking the #2 crime on Earth.
It is estimated by the Department of Justice that 17,000 – 25,000 children are trafficked each year through Chicago – O’Hare, the largest airport hub in the U.S.
Nancy Rivard, Founder of Airline Ambassadors conducted the training made up of AAI volunteers Alicia Kozakeiwicz, (survivor and AAI’s newest trainer), Michele Krick and Peggy Durfey, with opening statements by the US government, law enforcement and local NGO’s including founder of the SAFE Coalition – Dr. Kaylani Gopal, as well as local Task Force members, Darcy Jenkins of Heartland Alliance and Summar Ghias of Salvation Army – STOP IT.
“This was an amazing day for us and a powerful training reaching nearly 200 airport industry employees, as well as FBI, Chicago PD, and Homeland Security who also participated.”
She continues, “Through our partnership with our Alliance Partner Turbo Communications, Inc., we also introduced our new Airline Ambassadors Hero Force App that can turn iPhones (Droids soon) into a tool so that anyone can submit “selfie video tips” of suspected predatory activity.”
These video tips will be cleared through a new OnNow TV WEB Television Network and in turn forwarded directly to DHS with pertinent information such as flight numbers and seat numbers, and how many people traveling as well as other descriptions and information.
Chief Richard Edgeworth of the Chicago Department of Aviation stated, “Criminals learned how to use the internet and technology before law enforcement, and it’s no secret we’ve been playing catch-up. But now with this new Airline Ambassdors Hero Force WEB Channel iReporter App, we will use technology to fight back – and in a big way.”
He continues, “on the heels of this training we are moving forward with awareness and communication initiatives that will make all people that travel through O’Hare become aware of the signs, and how to spot them – and now with the App report tips using their iPhones.”
Nancy Rivard adds “We will be fighting this crime in the air. Airline flight attendants and pilots will use coordinated efforts by making video selfies with the App, reporting travel information such as seat assignments that authorities can use to track down the predators while at the same time save the trafficked children in the destination cities.”
AAI has upcoming trainings planned in Las Vegas in April to the Board of Directors of the Association of Flight Attendants, and in May at JFK in preparation for an in-flight message campaign on 5,800 flights American Airlines flights June and July making the flying public aware of the signs and to use the apps. Bobby Singerman, President of Turbo Communications, said, “We intend to deputize the flying public as well to join Airline Ambassadors Hero Force.“
Check out video about Airport Training’s with Chris Hansen HERE
Our training for the Minneapolis Airport Police on Jan 20, 2015 was informative and effective, thanks for help from MSP Police Officer Tanis Ford, and AAI members John Patch, Carl Innis and Marie Rivard. Nancy Rivard and Michele Krick presented the training along with Stephanie Caples, Wanda Sarnaki and Sonda Williams
Local NGO’s also shared: Thanks to Sipra Jha, Director of the Asian Women United Shelter and Amanda Coller, Tamara Mattison and Stephanie Sims of 180Degrees. Linda Miller of Civil Society shared prosecutions resulting from trafficking through MSP Airport.
Check out our video about these Airport Training’s with Chris Hansen HERE
Also here is the feedback from Sergeant McKenzie:
Thank you for bringing your training on this important topic to our us. Your presentation will improve our efforts in our service to our community. I am sorry I was unable to make the training, due to family issues, but I heard nothing but positive things about the presentation from our officers. Thank you for considering the MSP Airport Public Safety Group, Police Department, for this training. We are very appreciative.
KELLY MCKENZIE | Lieutenant | MSP Airport Police |
Presentation was awesome. Thank you, TANIS FORD | Police Officer, Training, MSP Airport Police
Join our Mission to Haiti May 14-17 to join our special orphans of Koninote ti Famni Nou de Diakonos Orphanage in planting a garden that will provide fresh vegetables throughout the year. Click for Flier AAI Haiti Mission Trip 2015 Vegetable Garden
Volunteers will teach the children how to regrow scrap vegetables and fruits; build and care for a kitchen garden which will help jumpstart Diakonos Small Community of Family to achieve nutritious and sustainable food year round.
Volunteers are encouraged to save their scrap vegetables such as potato, celery, avocado; Herbs: green onions, garlic. And also to purchase and bring:
Planters (large or medium) and
1 bag of Top Soil.
Planting tools (transplanting trowel, cultivator, gloves, etc.)
Thursday, May 14th
MIA AA Flt 979 @ 9:55am – 11:52am PAP
1:00 pm – Transfer directly to Hotel
3:00 pm – Tour of Petion-Ville (Volunteers can have lunch at the hotel or during the tour)
6:00 pm – Depart for Hotel
“Poor people in poor countries are not asking for a handout. What they want is a hand up.
Indeed, the poor are enormous, untapped reservoirs of initiative and entrepreneurship, but their energies are often held in check by poverty, misrule or conflict. They would be the first to say that trade, not aid, is the path out of poverty.” United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
Friday, May 15th
8:00 am – Depart for Kominoté Ti Fanmi Nou de Diakonos Children’s Home
9:30 am – 12:30 pm Assessment of ground and Building of raised beds
1:00 pm – Break for Lunch
2:00 pm Leisure time with the children
5:30 pm – Depart for Hotel
Saturday, May 16th
7:00 am – Depart for Kominoté Ti Fanmi Nou de Diakonos Orphanage 8:00 am – Breakfast with the children
9:00 –12:30 pm Planting of vegetable and fruit garden
1:00 pm – Break for Lunch provided by Orphanage
2:00 pm Leisure time with the children
4:00 pm Depart for Hotel
Thursday, May 14th
MIA AA Flt 979 @ 9:55am – 11:52am PAP
1:00 pm – Transfer directly to Hotel
3:00 pm – Tour of Petion-Ville (Volunteers may choose to have lunch at the hotel or during the tour
6:00 pm – Depart for Hotel
Sunday, May 17th
7:00 am Depart for Airport Toussaint Louverture
PAP – MIA AA Flt 377 10:00am -12:14pm
Yes I want to go! Contact Martine at martine.longchamp@airlineamb.org
To save your spot with us you will need to send both the
Deposit Fee of $135 and the Registration Fee of $135 ($270 total)
using this form
It is with great sadness that we share the death of Tom Whitehead, the beloved husband of Margaret Whitehead, Director of our Children’s Medical Escort Program. He was patient and supportive of Margaret working nearly full time to manage this program since 1996 and he will be dearly missed. Cards or letters to Margaret can be sent to: Email mmwhitehead3@aol.com or by post to:
Margaret Whitehead; 113 Masters Dr. N. Peachtree City GA 30269
The Children’s Medical Escort program has provided loving escorts for more than 3,000 children to receive life-saving surgeries. Here is a sample and another sample of hundreds of recent stories….and Margaret wouldn’t have been able to oversee this important work, without the support of her loving husband.
Obituary: Tom J. Whitehead, 78, of Peachtree City, GA passed away December 17, 2014 following a brief and courageous battle with cancer. He was born and raised in Albertville, AL and was a US Army veteran. He was an air traffic controller and retired from the FAA in Atlanta, GA. Following his retirement he traveled extensively throughout the world in various positions with aircraft parts companies, supervising major commercial aircraft maintenance projects, and as a volunteer with intercountry adoption agencies. He loved all things aviation and for many years he built and flew model airplanes. In recent years he was an avid woodworker. Tom is survived by Margaret, his wife of 48 years; one son, David Whitehead (Mollie) of Birmingham, AL; daughters Terri Vannatter (Larry), of Birmingham, AL, Kathryn Oliver (Harold) of Trussville, AL, Kimberly Brandt-Nielsen (Jorgen) of Peachtree City, GA and Juliane Santiago (Marc) of Fletcher, NC; 4 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; and a sister, Ann Jacobs of Newnan, GA. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Civil Air Patrol at either: the Asheville Composite Squadron, 120 Wright Brothers Way, Fletcher, NC 28732 or the Peachtree City Composite Squadron, c/o Peachtree City United Methodist Church, 225 Robinson Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269.
Thanks for supporting Airline Ambassadors by shopping at AmazonSmile. Do your holiday shopping and help kids in need!
Thanks so much to all who attended the IPTI conference in CharlesTown W. Virgina!
An amazing gathering of law enforcement, corporate, media and NGO partners
Check out the following podcast broadcast as a result of the conference.
Thanks to all who supporting this year’s amazing Holiday Party on 
Dec 3, 4 and 5th to brighten the lives of children at Orphanage “Rompiendo Cadenas” in Bogota, Colombia.
Dec 5 is check out for those who need to go back and for those who wishes to stay we can do a trip to the Salt Cathedral.!!!
Please confirm me your intention to join me on this mission so that I can arrange vans and pre-reserve hotel rooms. For information email Alex.Restrepo@airlineamb.orgSee video from the spring mission to get a sence of the magic – Thanks to Beyond Measure Media!Here’s some more pics from last year’s mission:
On last year’s mission it was especially inspiring to interview director of the orphanage Marta Betancourt and learn how she had been on the streets in Medellin, when she decided to join her brother in Bogata and dedicate her life to helping others. Her work now is to care for 70 children (35 boys and 35 girls) The kids are not adoptable as they have parents, who are prostitutes , drug addicts, or who simply don’t care about them. She has not sustainable funding to provide for food, medical care, or even school uniforms and supplies for the kids. She needs to raise $7,000 by early next year to make sure all the kids can stay in school, so we are looking for support for this orphanage as education is the only key for the future for these kids. If you can help financially or by making school kits email Alex.Restrepo@airlineamb.org
Our team got to site-see in this beautiful city, go shopping, eat some great meals, and even ride a “Chiva Party Bus” as part of a Colombian tradition! Please join us for a mission in 2014!!!!
