Earlier this year I posted a message asking for some dive gear items for my friend Ramon Statie who is addicted to diving but has no financial means to buy or rent his own gear. Captain Don and Janet already arranged a BCD, Regulator and snorkel set for him. Thanks to various BT Angels he now also has a perfectly fitting wetsuit, the reg has an octo on it and his set was completed with clips and ties and last but not least a brand spanking new dive computer. Thanks to those who contributed!!!

Here is a picture of a proud Ramon with his beloved gear about to get into the water at Angel City.



On behalf of Ramon...THANK YOU

Awesome!!!
What a great picture and what a wonderful group of people here and on BON that could help bring a bigger smile to Ramon's face

Thanks for sharing......

I put a short video of our dive on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psYL4dDASJk

Enjoy.

Bas,
Great video.....I loved it!
His gear looks like it fits perfect and he can now enjoy the beautiful waters that surround his home!!!

Enjoy, Ramon!

Dive Safe!

Bas, nice work on your part to get that together for him! Hope to see you in October! Congrats Ramon!

Bas, I have tears, what joy I'm so glad it all fit and worked out for him, and YOU are the ANGEL for taking him under your wing, teaching him SCUBA, and gathering the equipment together.

I do know, that Smack is the one that donated the brand new dive computer, and by that picture and face, boy, you can tell he likes it. Way to go Angel Smack!

dive on ramon and bas

(Message edited by cyndelee on July 20, 2008)

I wasn't sure that the people who donated their gear wanted to be named but yeah.....Cynde and Smack....THANKS!

Smack already set up a date in September to dive with Ramon and me...Any time you are back here Cynde let me know and we set something up too! I'm sure Ramon would love to say thanks personally. He speaks pretty good english....writing is a bit more difficult which is why I post these messages and not him.

I think it is important to get local Bonaireans diving (Ramon is from the Dominican Republic originally so technically he is not local but he has been here for 20 years or so). I saw the other thread about Jong Bonaire and their efforts in this area. I think I will check with Ramon from Stinapa to see what they are doing and maybe do some volunteer stuff. I'll let you guys know about that initiative if and when I find out more.

3AM here so time for bed! Have a good one.

Bas.

Bas, have you taken him on the Angel City to Hooker dive yet? That's one neat dive!

Hi Smack. Ramon is only open water certified right now. We might do the advanced course together after which that dive is most certainly a go!!