Lapland
December 18, 2014
Our Vision for Every Child, Life in All its Splendor - Our Prayers for Every Heart and Soul
Over a period of several years, Santa Claus has appeared on Amateur Radio bands to bring cheer to the whole world, adults and children alike, with the thrill of hamcasting from Santa Claus Land (SCL) and even talking directly to kids of all ages all over the world.
Santa himself at OH9SCL in the capital of Lapland, and OF9X, Santa’s communication arm, will again be active on all bands. But this Christmas, Santa goes beyond his normal mission and welcomes you and your children to join him in the spirit of World Vision www.worldvision.org.
This is to bring Christmas also to needy children on all continents and this year specifically in Albania. Radio Arcala and World Vision UK have signed an agreement for cooperation aimed at increasing the value of Amateur Radio in society at large. The worthy cause directly involves amateurs in Albania as well. You can join the mission at qrz.com/db/of9x/ via a World Vision link and also find Santa’s ClubLog and spot windows.
Additionally, contacting both OH9SCL and OF9X this Christmas will earn you an attractive Santa World Vision Award at no cost following your email request to of9x@sral.fi.
The activity starts on Friday, December 19 and ends on the last day of the year, December 31. All bands, CW/SSB/RTTY, will be used, typically some 25 kHz from the band edge. When the station is operating on 20M SSB around 14.225 kHz, Santa’s audio and video will occasionally be streamed at www.ustream.tv/channel/of9x-tv.
Those participating in the OH9SCL activity are Ynsky, OH9KL; Tuomo, OH9JML; Jarmo, OH9EGH; Juha, OH9MM and Kimmo, OH9MDV.
At the controls of OF9X you will find Olli, OH0XX; Ville, OH1JD; Timo, OH1NX; Jaakko, OH1TX; Raimo, OH2BCI; Pertti, OH2BEE; Martti, OH2BH; Mari, OH2FPK (YL); Jyri, OH2KM; Arto, OH2KW; Pertti, OH2PM; Pekka, OH2TA; Pauli, OH5BQ; Veijo, OH6KN and Kim, OH6KZP.
Santa will soon be at your service.
OF9X QSL via OH2BH
Donate by Martti Laine, OH2BH
Back in those other years, Albania (ZA) was growing in rarity, and at one time it was the most wanted DXCC country in the world. Travel was restricted and obtaining a license seemed an impossibility. It took just about twenty years of hard work before ZA1A was able to hit the airwaves and to provide the amateur radio community with a new member.
We were honored to give you that opportunity and share the excitement with you together with the locals who soon became part of our brotherhood. Emotions were running high and made me personally adjust some of my values - and see the world differently.
We have returned to Albania many times, continuing with the original charter. Albania is not rare any more but it remains dear in our hearts. Albania has not made the progress we once hoped but many things have moved forward. Now we have decided to travel there once again with all of you on board through World Vision. We still have a dream!
World Vision is the largest international children's charity, working to bring real hope to millions of children in the world's hardest places. And they do it all as a sign of God's unconditional love. World Vision is headquartered in the United States and they have a local presence in Albania We have now agreed with World Vision in Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States to step forth and help children in need and travel to Albania again and make a difference. For the first time World Vision is cooperating with Amateur Radio - understanding that we exist for society at large. We call on our own students in ZA to be part of this worthy cause and we will bring you another ZA with a good feeling.
So, just check out http://donate.worldvision.org/giftregistry/view/index/id/549471a359af8/ and make your donation to World Vision who will transfer it to their office in Albania to be used solely for the assigned purpose. Any amount is blessed and highly appreciated. We thank you kindly and Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful Year 2015 Note for US donors: World Vision Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part. In case of any difficulties, please contact of9x@sral.fi
Cordially - Santa Claus with World Vision-Council
Martti, OH2BH; Juha, OH8NC; Rich, K7ZV; Wayne, N7NG; Hans, PB2T, Mario, S56A; Fatos, ZA1G, Jovan; ZA1H and Vjollca, Z61VB.
MISSION STATEMENT: Through sponsoring this World Vision project in Albania, you are helping protect the rights of children and ensuring they are included as members of society. This program started in 2014, and for the next two years will contribute to the protection of child rights focusing on improving access to basic services for children. It will also work towards ensuring children, parents and adults at all levels of society actively include children in education services.