50-YEAR-OLD AIRLINE PROGRAM REVIVED TO ASSIST NEPAL
Dooley’s Air-Intermed Re-enlists Airline Pilots and Flight Attendants for Humanitarian Work
NEW YORK (Sept. XX, 2015) – When an international relief organization needed help overseas in the 1960’s, it made perfect sense to turn to airline stewardesses. They were traveling the world anyway, were good with the public, and knew first aid. Over 26 airlines were involved from 1961 to 1988, sending over 300 pilots and flight attendants (as they’re called now) to provide humanitarian assistance to remote health clinics on behalf of New York-based Dooley Intermed International.
Verne Chaney and Nancy Rivard
The first team of current and former FA’s leave Sept. 15, 2015, for Kathmandu to volunteer at the nearby Eco-Farm Home for Orphaned Children in the Sankkhu–Sharada Village, in cooperation with Mission Himalaya (www.facebook.com/MissionHimalaya). They will teach hygiene and health, English, science, and math for a stay lasting two weeks.
“We decided to revive the program based upon interest last May at a Nepal earthquake fund-raiser that Dooley held at The Explorers Club in New York,” said Scott Hamilton, Dooley Intermed president. “Airline personnel are well-trained and highly motivated for volunteer assistance that meets a clearly defined need in a country severely impacted by poverty and natural disasters.”
Said Nancy Rivard, president of Airline Ambassadors, “We welcome the opportunity to work with Dooley Intermed. Our network of airline personnel, students, medical professionals, families and retirees who volunteer as ‘Ambassadors of Goodwill’ have addressed many of the same issues of poverty and hunger, education, health, child welfare, community development, and disaster relief.”
Rivard continues, “This is a logical extension of our core mission of providing for orphans and vulnerable children worldwide.”
Kate Jewell, Volunteer in 1980 and current program director
The airline volunteer program was conceived in 1961 by Dooley Intermed’s then president and founder, Dr. Verne Chaney, to provide volunteer assistance to its medical and educational programs. Dr. Chaney obtained the interest and support of the management of Pan American World Airways to allow its stewardesses to be granted a three-month leave of absence without pay, to voluntarily work in the various projects. Pan Am provided transportation to and from the project sites.
The stewardesses worked alongside Dooley Intermed’s doctors and nurses in its clinics, hospitals, orphanages and schools or wherever there was a need for extra help. Called “Dooley’s Dollies” in media coverage at the time, the women were assigned to Dooley Intermed project sites in India, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
“Besides being of immense value to patients, the program provided enormous positive awareness for the airlines involved,” said Hamilton. “Pan Am ran ads headlined, ‘When your Pan Am stewardess isn’t serving you, she may be serving mankind.’”
Barbara Price – also a volunteer in 1980’s
Barbara Price, retired director of corporate travel for UBS Investment Bank in New York, fondly remembers her time in the field with Dooley Intermed. As a Pan Am employee, she spent three months in remote areas of Nepal assisting a Registered Nurse. In the late 1970s many villages could only be reached on foot. Often sleeping in tents with a group of Sherpa, she performed vaccinations, measured blood pressure, gathered blood samples for further study and conducted heath education classes with a battery-powered filmstrip projector.
“Oh my goodness. It was the experience of a lifetime,” she said recently. “The airline’s volunteer program in Nepal, combined with Dooley Intermed’s know-how, allowed me to positively influence hundreds of lives.”
When word about the opportunity was released on social media, former Dooley volunteer Kate Jewell, (who will be coordinating the missions), was deluged with interest and responses from enough volunteers to fill all eight trips this fall, according to AAI’s Nancy Rivard.
For more information: www.dooleyintermed.org, www.airlineamb.org
One of the world’s great humanitarians passed away this month and it is a great loss to all who knew him. Here is an article on his amazing life, the press release from September 2015 when we launched a joint program in Nepal, and this 1980’s Fact Sheet for the Stewardess Program which served as an inspiration for Airline Ambassadors.
Obituary – Dr. Verne E. Chaney
With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Verne E. Chaney, the founder of Dooley Intermed International, Inc. and decorated Korean War battalion surgeon. A graduate of Virginia Military Academy and Johns Hopkins University, at age 27 Verne Chaney enlisted in the Army the day after the Korean War started, becoming one of the most decorated medical doctors during the Korean War. Serving as a battalion surgeon in MASH and frostbite clinics, Dr. Chaney was wounded in the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge in Korea while working his way through a minefield with a bayonet in an effort to save three wounded medics. He was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry, and a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and French Croix de Guerre for his heroism.
Following his discharge from the Army, Dr. Chaney completed his residence in thoracic surgery at the University of North Carolina, then volunteered to work with Albert Schweitzer as Chief Surgeon at his hospital in Haiti. In 1960 he headed to Southeast Asia to help Tom Dooley “the jungle doctor” establish surgical procedures and train healthcare workers treating refugees displaced by war. Following Dooley’s untimely death the following year, Dr. Chaney gave up his private surgical practice to found the Dooley Foundation as a means to provide continuing care to people in need in the forgotten corners of the world.
In 1971 he established Intermed Inc in Geneva as the international branch of the organization. In his long and dedicated career as President of Dooley Intermed, Dr. Chaney initiated, managed and supported medical programs in 14 countries in the far corners of the world.
He was the recipient of numerous awards including Lao’s highest civilian awards, the Order of a Million Elephants and the White Parasol, the 1993 Distinguished Service Award, an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the first Sir Edmund Hillary Humanitarian Award from The Explorers Club in New York City.
Dr. Chaney is survived by his wife, Harriett, of Red Bank, NJ, and his sons, Christopher, of Elmyra, NY, and Steven and his daughter-in-law, Laurie, of San Francisco, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Dooley Intermed at www.dooleyintermed.org.
Many thanks for support of Wanda Sarnacki and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. Jack Christine, COO of the airport opened this training with Lt. Moore representing law enforcement. Representatives from Senator Tillis and Congresswoman Adams office joined as well. Volunteers from the audience coordinated a spontaneous “scenario” to re-enact a potential trafficking situation in flight. To support ECPAT and the End It Movement, participants drew a red X on their hands to show solidarity in the fight against human trafficking. Voice of America TV also filmed and here is their story on our training!
The presentation was followed by the movie “Priceless”, (complete with popcorn)!
Michele Krick, Nancy Rivard & Donna Hubbard
Jack Christine – Welcome
CLT President APFA Wanda Sarnacki
Police participation
Chris Davison & Capt Phil Page
Donna & Jerome Woodard – CLT Security
Donna filming with Voice of America
fun pic with Carolyn Presutti of VOA
Showing solidarity with End It Movement
MEDIA ALERT Date: February 21, 2018
AIRLINE AMBASSADORS TO HOLD TRAINING TO RECOGNIZE & REPORT
SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 21, 2018. 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at Piedmont Auditorium, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
TRAINING HOSTS: Association of Professional Flight Attendants (CLT -APFA)
On Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) will conduct its 68th Airport Training at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to help raise awareness of Human Trafficking. The training is available to all airport employees. AAI has led global airline industry awareness for Trafficking in Persons since 2010 and developed the first industry specific training after correctly identifying trafficking on four 4 airlines.
Airport officials will welcome participants followed by remarks by law enforcement, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. The AAI training will be followed by a showing of the movie “Priceleless”.
Every year, adults and children are being trafficked through North Carolina’s airports. The United States and the State of North Carolina have laws to protect victims and penalize perpetrators of human trafficking, which is commonly defined as people profiting from the exploitation of others, controlling them by force, fraud, or coercion.
North Carolina has been named one of the top 10 states for human trafficking. Cases have been documented in which traffickers have misrepresented themselves as sports coaches, employers and family members of trafficked victims. Airport personnel at ticket counters, gates and other areas of airport operations are in a unique position to be able to identify potential victims and report potential incidents to law enforcement agencies in order to rescue victims and bring traffickers to justice.
Sex trafficking survivor, Donna Hubbard will share her riveting story as part of the presentation. Donna is a trainer for Airline Ambassadors and now runs Women at the Well Transition Center to help women like herself pull their lives together. She works as a flight attendant for a major airline and her testimony makes the training come alive.
Media Welcome
QUOTES FROM OFFICIALS AND EVENT HOSTS
Jack Christine, CLT Chief Operating Officer
“Charlotte Douglas International Airport recognizes the importance of raising awareness of Human Trafficking. We continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to train and equip our front-line employees with the information and resources they need to assist in identifying this crime.”
Bob Ross, President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants
“As far as criminal activity goes, human trafficking is amongst the most despicable. The perpetrators are modern day slave trade dealers operating within a vast global network. Policing this crime is exceptionally difficult, which is why vigilance on the part of all transportation industry employees is crucial. Flight attendants have the ability to catch human traffickers in the act. With more face to face exposure time than probably anyone else, a trafficking or victim will encounter during the crime, we have a unique opportunity to identify atrocities as they occur. “
Donna Hubbard, AAI Trainer, Flight attendant, Human Trafficking survivor
It’s really important for all the first responders and frontline responders to be on the same page. In order for that to happen the training must have continuity and be standardized: everyone is getting the same information. We all need to get the same information the same way, know where to report it and what information is important for us to keep track of.
Wanda Sarnacki, AAI Trainer and APFA Base President CLT
“As a flight attendant and crew member, I realize the importance of being able to properly identify and report instances of Human Trafficking. Many years ago, I suspected seeing someone being trafficked, and felt helpless because I didn’t know what to do or whom to contact. I wish I knew then what I know now”
Greg Bristol, President Human Trafficking Investigations and Training Institute (HTITI)
“As first responders, police officers play a critical role in uncovering human trafficking which often appears as domestic violence, labor disputes, or prostitution. Once formerly trained, police officers inside and outside airports have the opportunity to identify and arrest the traffickers
Nancy Rivard, President, Airline Ambassadors
“Trafficking is a 365 day a year problem, and are using this opportunity to raise awareness. Trained airport and travel industry personnel can be our first line of defense and trained personnel will give traffickers the message – CLT Airport is NOT a place to do business”
About Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) (www.airlineamb.org) AAI leverages airline contacts to provide for orphans and vulnerable children worldwide. Members volunteer as medical escorts for children in need, hand-deliver humanitarian aid to orphanages, clinics, and remote communities, and educate and advocate for child protection and human trafficking awareness around the world. AAI teams have presented at 68 airports for human trafficking awareness.
LAS VEGAS McCarran International Airport Training January 18, 2019
Kudos to McCarran Las Vegas International Airport for their leading edge commitment to combat human trafficking. Signage throughout the airport and even in airport bathrooms give the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
On January 18, 2019 AAI provided training at Las Vegas McCarran Airport to over 100 badged employees. This was our third training in Las Vegas and the room was packed. Airport Director, Rosemary Vassiliadis opened, followed by remarks by a detective by from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police who shared the current state of human trafficking in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS McCarran International Airport Training January 30, 2018
Kudos to McCarran Las Vegas International Airport for their leading edge commitment to combat human trafficking. Signage throughout the airport and even in airport bathrooms give the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
On January 30 AAI provided training at Las Vegas McCarran Airport to 134 badged employees. This was our second training in Las Vegas and the room was packed….and there was standing room only. Airport Director, Rosemary Vassiliadis opened the training, followed by remarks by DHS Representative Michael Harris. Nancy Rivard gave an overview, then trainers Teresa Garza, Alicia Kozakeiwicz and Tammy Meade provided training and Alicia especially riveted the crowd. Peggy Durfey, a former AA Agent and AAI trainer provided insights and comments as well and arranged all logistics. See this Wall St Journal Article See Wall St. Journal article
The day before the training our team visited with Nevada Child Seekers and FREE International to learn about local efforts to locate missing children and support trafficking victims like The Big Search One of the needs was for 30 suitcases for the recovered children….at thank you to McCarran Duty Free representative agreed to meet the entire Wish List offering assistance to this community initiative.
Nevada Child Seekers and FREE International coordinated a search for missing children and the Big Search was a success! They found 12 of the 30 target children and 17 additional missing children. See this media on the event
Las Vegas Review Journal
Fox 5 Las Vegas
Thank you Jhoanny Perez who was so moved by the children’s of Maria’s Home in S. Africa she initiated at food sponsorship program to support them: Here is the note from our South Africa Coordinator in response to our efforts: To make a donation to support these efforts and send an email to Jhoanny at princess8626@icloud.com and click the paypal button below:
THANK YOU SOO SO MUCH – words can’t describe what an absolute blessing you have been and continue to be. Maria is overwhelmed by your kindness and caring. The donation (thru Paypal) will really help the ongoing challenge of getting enough food for the children. As a mother to soo many she is “always” stressed how she can adequately provide for the family and you are an answer to her prayers. You truly are angels!
Heartfelt thanks and may God continue to richly bless you for making a big difference to so many lives.
Lots of love. SilJJ xx
Kind regards Maria Gaba
Thank you million times for your generosity of giving.
MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL AIRPORT RECEIVES TRAINING for EMPLOYEES TO RECOGNIZE AND REPORT SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Tuesday, January 23, 2017. 12:00 Noon – 1:30 PM at Commission Chambers, MSP Airport.
TRAINING HOSTS: Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
On Tuesday, January 23rd AAI conducted its 8th annual pre-Super Bowl Training to raise awareness of MSP Airport, hotel and travel industry personnel before the Super Bowl. Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) has led global airline industry awareness for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) since 2010 and developed the first industry specific training after correctly identifying trafficking on four airlines. This was AAI’s 67th airport training.
Roy Fuhrman VP Metropolitan Airports Commission will welcome the group and Senator Amy Kobuchar provided the video message above. Remarks by MSP Airport Police Detective, Mari Askerooth, Terry Williams from the Women’s Foundation, and Joe Foster, Director of Security for Minneapolis Hilton Hotel opened the training to raise awareness of airport/airline personnel.
Every year, adults and children are being trafficked through Minnesota airports. The United States and the State of Minnesota have laws to protect victims and penalize perpetrators of human trafficking, which is commonly defined as people profiting from the exploitation of others, controlling them by force, fraud, or coercion.
Sex trafficking survivor, Donna Hubbard shared her riveting story as part of the presentation. Donna is a trainer for Airline Ambassadors and now runs Women at the Well Transition Center to help women like herself pull their lives together. She works as a flight attendant for a major airline and her testimony makes the training come alive.
Other trainers included Marie Rivard, an employee of the Hilton Hotels and active on the Civil Society Super Bowl Committee as well as Kavita Nanavati, Mrs. Maryland, and a recruiter for Mesa Airlines. The training was well received by all. See Times Herald Article HERE
LAS VEGAS McCarran Airport Training January 30, 2018
Kudos to McCarran Las Vegas International Airport for their leading edge commitment to combat human trafficking. Signage throughout the airport and even in airport bathrooms give the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
On January 30 AAI provided training at Las Vegas McCarran Airport to 134 badged employees. This was our second training in Las Vegas and the room was packed….and there was standing room only. Airport Director, Rosemary Vassiliadis opened the training, followed by remarks by DHS Representative Michael Harris. Nancy Rivard gave an overview, then trainers Teresa Garza, Alicia Kozakeiwicz and Tammy Meade provided training and Alicia especially riveted the crowd. Peggy Durfey, a former AA Agent and AAI trainer provided insights and comments as well and arranged all logistics
The day before the training our team visited with Nevada Child Seekers and FREE International to learn about local efforts to locate missing children and support trafficking victims like The Big Search One of the needs was for 30 suitcases for the recovered children….at thank you to McCarran Dufry representative agreed to meet the entire Wish List offering assistance to this community initiative. The team also had a little fun at the Hofbrau House in Las Vegas. 
QUOTES FROM OFFICIALS AND EVENT HOSTS At MSP
Roy Fuhrmann, Chief Operating Officer MSP Airport
“The U.S. State Dept. has determined that transportation professionals are among the best-placed to identify trafficking situations. We are proud of the commitment of our MSP Airport Police to train all front line personnel to recognize and report indicators of human trafficking.”
Terry Williams, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
“The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota knows that sex trafficking happens every single day of the year—not because of any one event like the Super Bowl. That’s why we are thrilled to support this expanded effort to raise awareness of the issue among the airline industry, so that 365 days a year, airport and airline employees will be at the front line of reporting suspicious activity that may involve sex trafficking.”
Joe Foster, Director of Safety & Security Hilton Minneapolis
As a hotelier it is very important that we train our entire staff, not just security, to recognize and report the exploitation of children and adults. We are proud to be part of an industry that has the ability to help people in this way.
Marie Rivard, AAI Trainer, Super Bowl Committee Hilton employee
“As a Hilton employee and part of the Civil Society Super Bowl Committee I am honored to be part of this effort to raise awareness at the MSP airport.
Donna Hubbard, AAI Trainer, Flight attendant, Human Trafficking survivor
“It’s really important for all the first responders and frontline responders to be on the same page. In order for that to happen the training must have continuity and be standardized: everyone is getting the same information. We all need to get the same information the same way, know where to report it and what information is important for us to keep track of.”
Kavita Nanavati, AAI Trainer Mrs. Maryland, Mesa Airlines Recruiter
“As a flight attendant and airline crew member, I realize the importance of being able to properly identify and report instances of Human Trafficking. Many years ago, I suspected seeing someone being trafficked, and felt helpless because I didn’t know what to do or whom to contact. I wish I knew then what I know now, and as part of my philanthropic platform, I want to share this knowledge with others, and hopefully save innocent lives in the process.”
Greg Bristol, President Human Trafficking Investigations and Training Institute (HTITI)
“As first responders, police officers play a critical role in uncovering human trafficking which often appears as domestic violence, labor disputes, or prostitution. Once formerly trained, police officers inside and outside airports have the opportunity to identify and arrest the traffickers .
Nancy Rivard, President, Airline Ambassadors
“Trafficking increases around major sporting events, and it is debatable how much. We believe that human trafficking is a 365 day a year problem, and are using this opportunity to raise awareness. Trained airport and travel industry personnel can be our first line of defense and trained personnel will give traffickers the message – MSP Airport is NOT a place to do business”
We are honored to partner as our local project with Catherine’s Cottage.
Thank you for the incredible donations from Airline Ambassadors members Sharon Lobo, Kavita Nanavati, ML Murray, Sandy Hodges and Nancy Rivard helping to meet the Wish Lists of trafficking victims at the lovely home run by AAI trainer and renowned survivor, Shamere McKenzie. A special surprise was to have labor trafficking survivor Fainess Lipenga join us who was an inspiration!
Kavita Nanavati and Shamere McKenzie
Kavita with Dave and Nancy Rivard
Kavita and the African Queen, Fainess Lupenga
We delivered gifts for all the girls, provided a dinner courtesy of AAI member and Mrs Baltimore, Kavita Nanavati brought homemade lasagna and the team played games, and Santa even showed up. What an evening filled with warmth and love in this beautiful home. It is an inspiration to support a local project of this caliber. The girls talents and interests stood out and we at AAI want to do our best to help. We cannot share pictures of the girls themselves, but here are a few pics of our team during the evening!
What should flight attendants do if they suspect human trafficking is happening onboard?
A New Push Against Human Trafficking on Flights
U.S. airports, airlines and Homeland Security are working to educate employees and passengers for signs of exploited people they see traveling
These are two stark examples of how airlines, airports and the Department of Homeland Security are stepping up efforts to thwart human trafficking: transporting people for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. Travelers will see a lot more warnings, and be encouraged to learn how to spot the crimes they may be sitting next to on flights.
Training is expanding at airports, from skycaps to shop clerks, and signs are going up, including one in every bathroom stall at the Las Vegas airport. Over the next month or so, Delta Air Lines will start placing 8-foot-tall signs at gates in hub airports. Some give victims a number to text or call and others educate travelers about signs of trafficking.
“It’s happening right under our noses,” says Nancy Rivard, a former American Airlines flight attendant who is president and founder of Airline Ambassadors International, a group that conducts training for travel-industry workers. Stopping the illegal flow of people “takes us being alert and having the guts or the moral imperative to make a call,” she says. “You hope you’re wrong, but your action could save a life.”
Calls for Help
The National Human Trafficking Hotline says substantive calls and reported cases of human trafficking will increase 10% to 20% this year. *Through Sept. 30 Source: National Human Trafficking Hotline
Last year, the National Human Trafficking Hotline took 26,727 substantive calls involving 7,621 reported cases of trafficking humans for work or sex, according to the Polaris Project, the nonprofit that operates the hotline for the Health and Human Services Department. This year’s numbers are running 10% to 20% higher, Polaris says.
Las Vegas knows that big events, from boxing matches to Super Bowl weekends, draw criminals along with other visitors. As local authorities stepped up efforts to thwart sex trafficking in particular, Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of aviation at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, realized “these monsters are coming through the airport.”
She started asking employees. Those working the taxi line told her they thought they saw it fairly regularly but didn’t know what to do. So the airport
hired Airline Ambassadors to train front-line workers. Now everyone who works at the airport goes through a summary of the training when they get their airport-issued badge.
Ms. Vassiliadis says she flunked the training on first go—she instinctively tried to intervene in a situation that looked like someone was traveling against their will. That’s the wrong move—they’ll often run. Workers are trained to try to keep people in sight without spooking them and call the right authorities when they are able.
