[ October 2010 Edition ]

NEWS

G’day from Ken, CEO

Wow! I’ve just come back from PNG where I saw the most amazing sites as I watched the ship in action. All of the team – both our staff and the many volunteers – are doing an incredible job! I was amazed once again by the beauty of this place and how exotic it is! The Gulf Province delta is truly incredible and it is so evident that a ship is the best way to provide access to the many without health care. So far, we have delivered in excess of 10,000 health services, education seminars, and preventative health resources. It has been a joy to build capacity in some of the local health care workers, partner with some exceptional people, and make the message “I WANT TO LIVE” a reality as we literally help to save lives!There are some excellent stories that have been coming through from the primary health care team about assisting women in labour and from the optometry team as well!

YWAM Medical Ship Welcomed into Port Moresby by a crowd of over 10,000 People Amidst the dancing, drumming, singing and music, the YWAM Medical Ship was welcomed officially into Port Moresby recently by over 10,000 PNG citizens and international tourists gathered to celebrate PNG’s Hiri Moale Festival

Many of the ship’s crew, along with Patron Mike Reynolds, Managing Director Ken Mulligan and Medical Coordinator Hannah Peart, participated in the traditional Lakatoi ceremony, being transported on the traditional boat from the YWAM ship moored just off the coast to Port Moresby’s Ela Beach.

Mr Reynolds said that he was delighted to see the warmth and recognition of the medical ship’s work in the Gulf Province. “This is volunteer humanitarian work at its best and I’m enormously proud of the very practical work that is being achieved in primary health care, education, dentistry, optometry, and ophthalmology.” Many people mentioned that participation by YWAM’s ship was a reminder of hope amidst some of the dire circumstances faced by PNG

nationals in remote villages. Discussions with key provincial and national stakeholders, the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health were also held, to unite to see health restored now and into the future of PNG.

Ken Mulligan also said, “We’ve been able to overcome a lot of the isolation that seems to magnify the issues and our partners in PNG are really grateful for that”.

www.ywamships.org

The Ywam Medical Ship at the Hiri Moale Festival

Ken Mulligan being welcomed at the Hiri Moale Festival

For more information:

So far in PNG...

Address: PO Box 1959 Townsville, QLD 4810 Phone: 07 4771 2123 Contact: info@ywamships.org

Primary Health Care Patients 926Dentistry Procedures 1,401Optometry Clinic Patients 728

Education Seminars 1,747Preventative Health Resources 5,995 TOTAL 10,797

OVERHEARD“… I’m beginning to

hear that hope is rising in the Gulf”

- Governor Havila Kavo of the Gulf Province

Father and Son taking home their new m

Mr. Mara, a local teacher, with his students in Ero.

The tooth brushes collected in Australia, finally going to good use in the villagesFather and son learn a thing or two from Matty Bowen about setting up their new mossie net.

Captain Jeremy, Mike, and medical cordinator Hannah Peart being taken to shore during the Hiri Moale Festival.

Rachel, a student in YWAM, helping test out reading glasses.

Eye tests happening in Ero You can tell by their smiles, that these glasses have justmade their day.

Shey Tuibua, volunteer, helps with the Dentisry team in a village near Ero