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Operation County Fair - Serve the PeopleBy VVAWOperation County Fair has been voted in by the National Steering Committee as an ongoing program to provide medical care for the people of Bogue Chitto, Alabama; to strengthen our bonds with 3rd world peoples' and to create new unity, energy and direction within VVAW. This program is directly related to our 8th and 10th objectives. The medical program was initiated last summer by community people, who had previously worked on the Poor Peoples' Campaign of 1968, on a donated 10 acre farm. Most of the people who will be served are poor, rural blacks who survive on similar subsistance farms. VVAW was asked to participate shortly after the Miami Republican Convention. VVAW's role will be to provide assistance aimed at allowing the people of this area to control and provide their own medical services. The California region is responsible for immediate administrative affairs and the Alabama region is to assist in incorporation, setting up local staffing and control and create a means of continued fundings. All other regions should muster the staff, funding and supplies they can. AIMSOperations County Fair has four major aims. The emphasis is being placed on the proposed clinic which will have 3 examination rooms, 2 consultation rooms, 4 bathrooms, a lab, a pharmacy, a records and reception room and a waiting and child care room. All services will be free. A screening team will be trained to uncover diseases which normally go untreated locally, among these are anemia, T.B., rickets, parasites and dental problems. A van-type vehicle will serve as rural medical transportation to bring help to patient who can't travel, for emergencies and as the Screening teams' transportation. Also, under the Health Advocates Program, the advocate would accompany the patient to make sure treatment was prompt and proper and that all the patient's rights were respected. ACCOMPLISHMENTSTraining sessions for Community Health Workers have been in progress since November 22, 1972. Topics include: How to take a Health Survey; Environmental Health; Venereal Disease; How to Take Tests; Farm Fire Hazards; The Pregnant Woman and the Newborn Infant; On Nutrition; Outhouse Construction and Sanitation; Health Advocacy; and First Aid. Two registered Nurses from the Selma area and a VVAW paramedic have been helping conduct the classes. 35 community members are presently enrolled. Classes are at the People's Farm in Bogue Chitto. Dr. E.A. Maddox of Selma has been named Director of the MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL CLINIC, heading up a Board of Directors drawn from the Bogue Chitto community. The Clinic and OPERATION COUNTY FAIR have been incorporated as non-profit, volunteer organizations. An Organizational Proposal has been written, modeled after the one donated by the Los Angeles Free Clinic. A floor plan for the Clinic has been roughed out and will be blueprinted as soon as it is finally approved. OPERATION COUNTY FAIR has been involved in fund raising, procurement of medical supplies, and searching out of volunteer staffing. NEEDSFunds are desperately needed for operating expenses, construction of the Clinic proper, purchase of a vehicle, and medical supplies. Donations of medical supplies are welcome and needed. We also need staff who will be willing to work for subsistance pay and satisfaction (doctors, nurses, paramedics, dentists, medical and dental students, friends, etc.). We would also welcome any helpful advice or information. ROLE OF VVAW MEMBERSVVAW often uses military type code names to signify actions with opposite goals. Operation County Fair was derived from military terminology for limited medical aid programs created in Vietnam and combined with political indoctrination. We all know the horrors of forced relocation which was the next tactic after this "pacification" plans failure. This action gives Vietnam Veterans, especially those with paramedical training a chance to use their military training to help and serve instead of maim and kill. A convoy to help with actual construction of the clinic is planned for this Easter. ------If you wish to donate supplies, money or if you need further information contact: Operation County Fair California Regional VVAW Office VVAW National Office
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