YWAM Ships

Under overcast skies, the wind whipped dozens of 
international flags, carried by heaps of onlookers all along 
the Breakwater jetty to celebrate a long awaited event: the 
YWAM Medical Ship arriving to Townsville.

Since February, the Pacific Link has traveled along 
the east coast of Australia, telling young people about 
the opportunities to help our neighbours in Papua New 
Guinea. And though the journey has been successful, 
there is no place like home. 

YWAM Managing Director and Townsville Citizen of the 
Year in 2008, Ken Mulligan, “The Port visits have raised 
valuable financial and volunteer assistance for the ship 
tour, as well as awareness of the desperate need for 
health support in remote areas of PNG.” 

“There are only 32 dentists in the entire PNG nation, while 
up to 1 in 7 rural women will die during childbirth. YWAM’s 
volunteer medical teams will make a real difference in PNG. 
 

“The Ship Tour also provides an opportunity for young 
Australians to volunteer and make a practical difference.”  
comments Mr. Mulligan who also mentioned that “Support 
from the Townsville community for the Ship Tour has been outstanding."

 The vessel’s arrival is strongly supported by a broad 
community base including the Townsville City Council’s 
Sister City Program, the Port of Townsville, the RSL, 
Lions Club, the Cowboys, church groups, local schools 
and a multitude of local businesses such as Honeycombs 
Property Group and 1300 SMILES. 

Mayor Les Tyrell said the Council strongly supported 
YWAM’s Medical Ship initiative and encouraged local
business and community groups to get behind the Ship Tour. 
“This is a Townsville organisation supporting a
Townsville Ship that will travel to our Sister City of Port
Moresby and beyond to assist people in desperate need. 
Townsville has deep historical and business connections in 
PNG, and the Ship Tour is a wonderful way of highlighting 
and building upon those close ties.” 

The YWAM Medical Ship will depart late July, stopping 
in Cairns and Thursday Island on its way to Papua New Guinea. 

In true KooGa style the company’s staff banded together to round up and donate boxes of personal clothing to contribute to the YWam Australia & PNG ship Tour.

KooGa CEO Kim Brant and wife Malinda initiated the clothing drive and staff was quick to follow their lead.

“YWam does a lot of good in the international community and helping out those in need is something very close to my heart and KooGa…” said the KooGa CEO’s wife Malinda Brant.

KooGa management came to the party by donating large boxes of new team wear and sample KooGa clothing and merchandise to match and exceed the personal donations of the KooGa team.

YWam representatives collected the Kooga boxes from KooGa headquarters this week expressing their gratitude for such a kind gesture.

The YWam group currently on a 16 port sailing venture around Australia will depart back to Papua New Guinea this week delivery clothing, spectacles and supplies to the countries needy.

The not for profit organizations mission is to help young Aussies get more involved with their communities and raise awareness about PNG and the many opportunities available to help.

KooGa has had a long standing relationship with some of those involved in YWam. The youngest son of the Brant family Greg Brant has played rugby with many of the youth in Fiji and other islands over the past few years.

YWam currently operates in more than 1,000 locations in over 150 countries with a staff of nearly 16,000.

Family run business KooGa located on the Gold Coast donate to many pacific island communities and football associations.

For the full article and photos, click here: http://www.kooga.com.au/newsroom/kooga-staff-get-on-board/

Gerald Bengesser, a 28 year old computer programmer from Stuttgart, Germany is sailing with the Pacific Link for the second time in a few years. In 2005, while Gerald was volunteering in Aukland, New Zealand, he heard mention of a medical ship docked not too far from where he was working. He was told that they needed help on board and decided to have a look. Through his travels, Gerald had always had a desire to go on a boat and visit different islands. What he didn't realize was that the Pacific Link would be the vessel in which his dreams would be realized.

 

Crew were needed in 2005 to work in the engine room and Gerald fit the profile. He was ready to learn and eager to be at sea. After volunteering for a few months, he left his job on the ship to complete a Discipleship Training School with Marine Reach, the nautical arm of YWAM in New Zealand. His training kept him on the Link for lectures and eventually took him to the Philippines to do hands on outreach.

 

After his school, Gerald traveled back to Germany to work on a building project. While at home, he heard that the Pacific Link would be sailing again in 2010. This time, it would be coming to Australia before heading up to Papua New Guinea. The timing was perfect – Gerald's project was ending and he was ready to be back on board.

 

Gerald headed back to New Zealand and joined the crew in late January before the Pacific Link set sail to Newcastle, Australia. “I really wanted to come back,” recalls Gerald. “It's so exciting (being on the ship). It's always a roller coaster – sometimes it's intense, sometimes is scary, but always exciting.”

 

Though he was supposed to be traveling back home in March, Gerald decided to stay on with the Link until it finishes its Australia portion of the tour in June. As he speaks, Gerald can't help but smile when he talks of his time on the Pacific Link. “Getting to be in a multicultural place and being able to encourage people, like those in Papua New Guinea – that is what I like about being on the Ship,” he says.

 

When asked what it's like living on board, Gerald chuckles. “I like it,” he says. “I like the community. But you really have two choices when you're on board with all those people – you get used to it or you go crazy.” Gerald has made a home on board and is accustomed to the close quarters by now.  Though he would have never expected to end up on board a medical ship, he is grateful for the experience. “This is something I've always wanted to do,” he says. “And something I would never have been able to do myself.”

 

Though Gerald leaves the Ship in a little over the month, it is sure to be a part of his life not soon forgotten. Gerald is just one of the few crew that have dedicated this year to bring the medical ship to Australia and beyond. Thanks to their work on the Pacific Link, many who would not have been able to experience a healthy life, will now have the opportunity.

The M/V Pacific Link, a Youth With a Mission (YWMA) medical ship, welcomed visitors last Friday afternoon at the breakwater wharf, and many locals and tourists took the opportunity to tour the impressive facility.

The ship was in Eden as part of a 16-port tour of Australia before embarking on a medical mission to Papua New Guinea.

The crew accepted donations of unwanted spectacles from visitors.

The glasses will be recycled and used to restore sight to some of the 550,000 Papuans in need.

Ex-Alaskan fisherman Shawn McMurtrey greeted visitors at the gangway.

Whilst Washington is his postal address he now calls the M/V Pacific Link home.

Shawn explained how he is one of a number of qualified crew needed to run the ship including a marine engineer, first mate and captain.

“I help to bring the ship alongside and I’m also one of our public relations people,” Shawn said.

Shawn handed me off to Kara Medlock who guided me around the ship.

Kara has a wealth of information about YWAM, how it operates, and what is involved.

“Our volunteers get to learn some amazing stuff undertaking this kind of ‘work’,” she said.

“Unless you went into those occupations you would never have the experience.”

I met Heike Wheeler in the medical bay where she was concluding one of a series of tours for members of the general public.

There were many familiar local faces listening to her with wrapt attention.

Heike is 46-years-old, which is coincidentally the average life expectancy for Papua New Guineans in the remote provinces that she will be helping when the M/V Pacific Link sails for PNG later this year.

She shows me the simple $3 maternity kit with sterilised blade, gauze and plastic seat that is proving a life saver for many women who give birth in an non-sterile environment.

Reducing infant mortality rates is also on the agenda.

Many of the children they will assist would die by the age of five years were it not for their help.

Heike has travelled to Fiji, Samoa and West Africa on board a hospital ship but has never been to PNG.

IN various locations around the city “spectacle receptacle” boxes are appearing for people to donate their unused pairs of spectacles and sunglasses.

The spectacles drive is an extension of the medical mission of the ship MV Pacific Link, which is due to dock in Gladstone in June en route to Papua New Guinea.

Local committee spokesperson Phil Adlam said the ship, owned by Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Australia, will spend several months in PNG administering medical and dental aid to local villagers, as well as providing optical care and distribution of the spectacles.

According to the Fred Hollows Foundation, 550,000 people in PNG have low vision that can be corrected with spectacles. However, there are only 10 optometrists in the entire nation – the equivalent of about 40 optometrists for the whole Australian population.

The spectacles, along with donations of medical and dental supplies and finances, will be presented to the YWAM crew when the ship is in port from June 8 to June 14.

The 37m MV Pacific Link arrived in Australia from New Zealand in March and has been visiting cities and ports along the eastern seaboard, raising community awareness of the plight of people in PNG. Mr Adlam said he was excited the ship was coming to Gladstone and said he hoped people would take the opportunity to visit the ship while it was in port.

The “spectacle receptacle” boxes are on display at the Observer office in Goondoon Street; the council libraries in Gladstone, Calliope and Mt Larcom; Liz Cunningham’s office; Medicare at Gladstone Central; Rhema FM in Lyons Street; Pro Vision Optometrist at Centro Valley; and Tannum Eye Care at Tannum Sands.

For further information about the spectacles drive phone Vicki Buchanan 4972 9355.

People on the New South Wales far south coast will be able to inspect a floating medical centre today

The New Zealand registered hospital ship, Pacific Link, docked in Eden yesterday as part of its tour up the East Coast of Australia on its way to Papua New Guinea.

The ship is operated by the charity group YWAM and is designed to provide medical services to developing counties.

Captain Jeremy Schierer says the ship's operation is financed through sponsorships.

"Over the last 20 years we have been relying on donations from interested individuals and corporations, community organisations who see what we are doing," he said.

"They recognise the need that exits in remote Pacific Island communities."

The ship will be open for inspection between midday and 8pm.

For more, go to the South East News blog at http://bit.ly/dgL1SN

 

Hobart, Tasmania seems a bit like the final frontier of Australia. After a 12 hour ferry ride or a one hour flight from Melbourne, you arrive in the hilly south region of Tasmania, one of the last stops on the YWAM Australia and PNG South Ship Tour. The city of Hobart is nestled in Sullivans Cove at the foot of Mount Wellington, which towers over the city below. Smoke rises from homes along the coast, thanks to the chilly early autumn weather.

The Pacific Link currently sits at Macquarie Wharf, where it has been open for public inspection since Thursday of last week. YWAM volunteers huddle in groups around the ship, trying to find warmth in the afternoon sun that peeks through the clouds.

Kara Medlock, one of the volunteers that runs tours of the Ship, has just finished a tour and is still reeling from the experience. She smiles as she starts to recall the story of a mother and her children who recently visited the ship.

After hearing about the Pacific Link from a local paper, the mother and her two sons and daughter travelled down to Macquarie Wharf, eager to see what the ship had to offer. “They were full of smiles and soaking up everything that they were learning,” recalls Kara of the families’ excitement. They climbed aboard the Link, chattering with one another excitedly as they were shown through the vessel.

During the tour, Kara noticed the mother starting to get emotional. In the middle of the tour, she pulled Kara aside. “It’s wonderful that you have this available for young people,” she started, tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s just that I wish there was something I could do.” She hesitated, looking for the right words. “I’ve always felt that I was meant to go into villages and help people, but how?”

Kara smiled and gently explained that there was, in fact, a lot she could do. Her sons had been heavily impacted during the tour and had a great desire to help others.

“Maybe you could all volunteer together,” Kara suggested. The mother’s face brightened as she exclaimed, “Really?” Kara nodded and handed her an information pack.

Finally, the tour group was able to view the DVD at the end of the tour, which highlights the needs of both young Aussies and people in PNG. “People were starting to get really emotional,” remembers Kara. She noticed in particular one man who started weeping after the film. She learned later that he was a doctor who eagerly asked at the end, “What can I do in two weeks?”

People from the group shuffled out of the ship’s lounge and one of the young sons came up to Kara. “So, I’m going to do YWAM. What do I do next?” he asked, matter of factly. Kara laughs now as she recalled his enthusiasm. She handed him an information pack and in seeing what their brother was receiving, his younger siblings started voicing their own interests.

“Almost everyone in that tour group requested information on volunteering.” Kara recalls. “They just got it.”

The small family walked away on Friday afternoon, eager to use their newfound information and put their compassion into practice. They even attended the youth event that night, trying to soak up all the information they could. Kara now sits in the galley of the ship and sighs at the memory. “Just a few more people who have been inspired to make a difference,” she concludes.

Thanks to people like Kara and the teams of the YWAM Pacific Link, more people are being inspired every day. Today marks the end of tours in Hobart, so make sure to come visit the Pacific Link!

By Sara Verwymeren

An invitation has been extended to people on the New South Wales Far South Coast to tour a floating hospital when it arrives at Eden this week.The hospital ship is organised by the charity group YWAM, and it is passing through on its way to Papua New Guinea.

The ship features an operating theatre, and sleeps up to 50 staff that provide primary health care to people on the land during each visit.

The Medical Co-Ordinator, Hannah Peart, says the boat is also a collection point for old glasses. "People can just bring an old pair of glasses down," she said.

"We have a partnership with the Lions Club, we send the glasses to them, they clean them, grade them, and they give them back to us like they're brand new. "Then we give them to a willing person in Papua New Guinea."

The ship will arrive tomorrow, and people can tour its facilities on Friday afternoon.

This article was taken from this site, and you can also read the full article here

The nation of Papua New Guinea, located just off the coast of the northern tip of Australia, is in a desperate situation. Though they are Australia’s closest international neighbour, the quality of life between the two nations couldn’t be more opposite.

The statistics are staggering. In the Pacific region, PNG has the highest rate of HIV; it is estimated that by 2015, one in six will be infected. There are approximately 32 dentists in the whole country. In some rural areas, one in seven women will die during childbirth.

How can a few young people help a nation with so much need? YWAM Australia has been given an opportunity to make a difference. Last year, Marine Reach New Zealand felt that they were to give one of their medical ships, the MV Pacific Link, to their neighbours, YWAM Australia. The Pacific Link, equipped with an operating theatre on board, is part of YWAM’s Marine Reach ministry that has been serving the Pacific Region since 1991, offering health services to remote island communities where medical help would not have otherwise been accessible.

On February 17th, the YWAM Medical Ship arrived in Newcastle, Australia for the beginning of the Australia and PNG Medical Ship tour. The vessel sailed across the Pacific from New Zealand to tell young Australians about how they can be a part of helping Papua New Guinea later this year.

YWAM’s Medical Ship will be travelling to 16 ports on the Australia coast before heading to PNG. Its purpose is to educate young Australians about the needs of PNG, while giving them practical ways to help. One of the many ways young Australians can help is by collecting eyeglasses and toothbrushes that the ship will then take to villages without access to these seemingly simple supplies.

Not only can people donate, but there is the opportunity to go. Though the statistics in PNG are harsh, young Australians also face challenges. One in four Australian teenagers will suffer from depression. Many will even attempt to take their own life. Just as much as PNG needs health care, young Australians need a reason to live life to the fullest. YWAM Australia believes that providing opportunities to help others is one way to help bring life to many.

Since its arrival in Australia, the YWAM Medical Ship has made a considerable impact on the communities of Newcastle, Sydney and Ulladulla. In Newcastle, 1400 people toured the ship and over 2500 students were given the opportunity to help through school programs led by hip hop dancers, bands and island dancers. A local radio station even made the vessel their home for a week as they broadcasted live from the medical clinic on board!

The ship docked free of charge at Darling Habour in Sydney, one of Australia’s most stunning landmarks. Crew members had a spectacular view of the harbour, while passersby could not miss the big, white medical ship at the wharf! Tours, a PNG Awareness Marquee and live performances entertained the public right on the wharf.

For the full article, please look here

PAPUA New Guinea's Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal wants an overhaul of Australia's $414 million annual aid to PNG because he says too much is wasted on costly consultants.

AusAID figures reveal that nearly half (46 per cent) of all Australian aid in PNG goes to advisers, contractors or experts providing 'technical assistance' for 'capacity building'.

That's twice the rate of other countries' aid programs.

And despite delivering billions of dollars in aid to PNG over the years, a 2009 AusAID report found PNG is not meeting any of its human development goals despite strong economic growth and political stability.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal wants aid effectiveness discussed at the joint Australia PNG ministers meeting scheduled for later this year.

"We feel that the large portion of aid being used for consultants can not be allowed to continue," he said in today's Post Courier.

"The government is calling for a review of the landmark projects which are delivered, which the people of PNG can proudly call gifts from the people of Australia.

"We have to critically assess to ensure that the impacts of the aid money from Australia are seen and felt by the PNG people."

In February, AAP revealed Victorian John Dinsdale cost Australia $1,077,463 over two years as a tax-free AusAID law and justice adviser in PNG's capital Port Moresby.

Paulinus Sikosana, AusAID health adviser to PNG, will cost tax payers $742,711 for his tax-free work between January 2009 to January 2011.

Documents obtained by AAP in May last year proved consultants in PNG were earning more than Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's base annual salary of almost $335,000.

Mr Rudd flagged his concern when speaking in April last year at a press conference with PNG counterpart Michael Somare.

"... too much money has been consumed by consultants and not enough money was actually delivered to essential assistance in teaching, in infrastructure, in health services on the ground, in the villages," Mr Rudd said.
AusAID represents 83 per cent of Australia's annual $3.8 billion aid budget, spending $3.2 billion a year on programs in the Pacific, Asia, Latin America and Africa, with PNG and Indonesia the largest recipients.


For the official article, please click here