YWAM Ships

Full Name: Hannah Peart

Home Town: Raglan New Zealand and Townsville Australia

Age: 28 year

YMS: What is your role on the YWAM Medical Ship?

HP: I am one of the medical coordinators, meaning I help find where to go in PNG, find people to help to PNG, and find the medical supplies needed. I have also being helping lead our Public Relations team on board the ship.

 YMS: Best meal on board the YWAM Medical Ship?

HP: The breakfast each day is amazing! I’m not such a morning person so the first time I woke up on the ship and saw all the choices I could eat I couldn’t decide what to eat as I was half asleep so I just didn’t eat that morning!

 YMS: Why did you get involved with the YWAM Medical Ship?

HP: I have a huge heart at for working with the disadvantaged and have being doing this for a few years now. Working with the YWAM Medical Ship gave me an opportunity to do just that up into PNG, which just for the record, is a country that I am in love with.

 YMS: What nations have you delivered health care in?

HP: Egypt, Thailand, Tonga, Fiji, PNG, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

 YMS: What is the most shocking thing you've seen?

HP: Two things come to mind the first being an HIV ward I was able to visit in PNG. I was able to sit with a new mum who was dying with her husband and newborn baby. It was really hard to sit and hear their story but at the same time so special to sit with them. The second being a one month old baby I met called Bonny. He was starving and close to death when I met him. His Mum had died during childbirth and his Dad was not around. A family adopted him but couldn’t afford to feed him. He was so little and so sick I didn’t think at first anything could be done, but felt strongly that everyone devises a chance to live! I was able to see him get milk and the care he needed. This little boy Bonny lives to this day and this village now also has a hope that people can live!

 YMS: How are your sea legs?

HP: Well, I am denial because I have never had any troubles in the past, and I have been on heaps of boats throughout PNG and Indonesia and never got sick. However my first sail on the YWAM Medical Ship I was throwing up within 5 minutes! And every sail since I have been sick!

 YMS: What is your best memory onboard the YWAM Medical Ship?

HP: Well I found a kayak on the ship so I would try and take it out searching for Dolphins! I never found dolphins but I did play with a seal in Portland on my kayak.

 YMS: Do you have any embarrassing health care moments you can share?

HP: Most I can think of inappropriate stories. But I can share a funny story. I have met multiple mums in PNG who I have asked how far in there pregnancy they are and they would respond 3 months when they there 9 months and gave birth the next day. Another mum told me she was 11 months pregnant!

 YMS: If you could have any other job, what would it be?

HP: This is what I have always wanted to do there has never been any thing I have wanted to do. I get to work with the poor and needy while having the most amazing adventures. I get to visit places that most tourists don’t even get to go, and find paradise multiple times in the most remote locations.

 YMS: What motivates you to do what you do?

HP: I love people and believe that everybody deserves a chance and to be heard. I have seen that just helping one person can change a mindset of a village. I have seen a village go from not thinking that children are valued to believing that every child can live.

 YMS: What else do you want people to know?

HP: PNG is a beautiful nation! The stats show that it is a nation in need, but the people are amazing and to go there and meet them will change your life. I have never been to a country where I have seen people be so generous in the midst of having nothing. Come to PNG and meet my friends!