Max and Margaret in Zambia (Tas vols)

Max and Margaret (Tasmania) are serving as volunteers in Mwandi Village, Zambia till the end of August. They write:
We are now starting to find our roles and discovering that this is the REAL DEAL. Fiona is a remarkable young woman who has achieved a great deal in five years and I have to wonder how long she will be able to sustain the frenetic demands of so many people without more support.
We have had a Tasmanian (now living in Byron Bay) staying with us over the last few days. He is holidaying but gave his time to teach computer skills to hospital staff (and to provide a barbecue to die for on the banks of the Zambezi river.) He was a delightful sensitive man with a sense of humour. When I asked him why he worked full on for two of his five days holiday in Zambia in a village he only stumbled on through a friend he replied “ It’s the least I can do”.Sorry for the general address and information and the lack of personal contact but there just isn’t time for all individually at my typing speed.( until I take over that is)
I went to Livingstone on Friday with Fiona to buy steel for the jobs that keep multiplying while she attended to food buying, accountant and supplies for OVC and the school. 6.30 am departure, home at 6.45.pm.
Margaret stayed behind to supervise house cleaning, tackle the huge task of sorting the 40 foot container of donations from S.A. churches between school and OVC project. In spite of the AIDS epidemic, grinding poverty, ignorance, some drunkenness and disease, my first impressions have been very positive. There is a good feeling about the people.
Well that’s your bloomin’ lot, but next week we have a marvelous show for you so don’t miss it. Regards, M. & M.

(for information about People in Mission, contact Kathy Periera, People in Mission Coordinator, Ph 02 8267 4230, kathyp@nat.uca.org.au)

July 2006 People in Mission Pre-service training group

(for information about People in Mission, contact Kathy Periera, People in Mission Coordinator, Ph 02 8267 4230, kathyp@nat.uca.org.au)

PIM Pre-service training group (Vic/NSW)

Six people gathered in Adelaide in July for the pre-service training prior to commencing their volunteer placements in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Lyn, a teacher from Victoria, leaves in August to spend two months in Zambia, working with the Mwandi Village Orphans and Vulnerable Children project. She will join Heather (SA) who also leaves in August, and who will be offering administrative support for the Mwandi OVC project. Sharyn and Alan (NSW) will be based in Samoa at Piula Theological College for two months, also leaving in August. Jimmy (Vic) is heading to Salamo (PNG) to work as a carpenter for 10 months. This is a shared project with AYAD (Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development). Julie (Jules) from NSW is going to Thailand for a year to work in an orphanage, particularly with children born to mothers with HIV/AIDS. She will also link up with HIV/AIDS education work. Sam (Vic) will be going to India in 2007, sharing in community development projects for a year.

For information about the People in Mission program, contact Kathy Periera, People in Mission Coordinator, Ph 02 8267 4230, kathyp@nat.uca.org.au

Lu (NSW) in PNG

Lu (NSW) is serving as a volunteer in Salamo. She writes:
Dear friends,
We are expecting 3 volunteers later this year. The first will be Ben in July, who will assess the 12 Health Centres and 8 Aid Posts that come under the United Church management, prioritizing maintenance work that will be undertaken. He will also draw up plans for the next stage in the development of the Community Health Workers' Training School. Another aspect of Ben's work will be solar assesssment especially for labour wards (at some locations a hurricane lamp is still used for deliveries). In August, Richard, a semi-retired electrician will arrive to address current problems and advise us on long term planning which will encompass sustainable energy options. Both Ben and Richard are under the VIDA scheme for mature age volunteers, and they will stay till the end of the year. James is the 3rd volunteer. He is a young builder and is coming under the Australian Youth Ambassadors scheme. He will arrive in September. His first job will be to oversee the building of a lecture block and library at the Pastor's College at Bwaruada, Normandy Island. A number of men will be coming for a few weeks from Uniting Church congregations in SA to assist James. Next year, James will travel around to the various Health Centres and Aid Posts, and will carry out planned maintenance work assisted by local builders. A local man will work with James to do the necessary installation for solar power when the other maintenace work is being done.
At the same time we are continuing with the development of the Community Health Workers' Training School. We have built an ablution block (designed by Ben) with four showers and four toilets (Asian pan style to avoid maintenance problems) for the female students. I now know about plates, noggins, studs, plinths and hobs - don't you? We have a total now of 34 students and will eventually reach 50. They must have at least graduated from Year 10 to enter, and after two years of training will staff the Health Centres and Aid Posts. They are the foundation of rural health and are wonderful young people giving their lives in service to others.

For information about the People in Mission program, contact Kathy Periera, People in Mission Coordinator, Ph 02 8267 4230, kathyp@nat.uca.org.au

Jordie's (Vic) mid year report from Tonga

Well its been a while between updates - and things have been great being back in the Kingdom of Tonga. I have been housesitting with Caitlan and Rachel, two other Aussie volunteers. The house we are in is a bit far out of town - but it is worth it. We are on a huge block of land, in a 2 storey open-plan living house, and it feels like a retreat!! The only down side is the animals. They have 3 dogs - that bark and howl at anything that moves, about 50 roosters and chickens - love that 5.30am wake up call, and they have two exotic parrots kept inside the living room, caged. Parrots, we have discovered also have a good set of lungs. Everytime we put an action movie on to watch, the parrots like to join in on the noise making during the exciting scenes. Needless to say we have been watching quieter movies of late. Its like a Zoo!!
There were massive celebrations for the Kings birthday. His birthday falls in Heliala week - Tonga Festival Week, so there was so much to see and do. There were marching parades and floats - the Miss Tonga 2006 competition and so on. There was also a French Navy ship in town, which I somehow yet again managed to score an invite too! Not quite up to scratch like the US Navy ship, but they did have some amazing French pastries!!
The tertiary institute I teach at had a graduation ceremony and feast. It was such a great day. I was treated as a guest of honour which was extremely special. I sat on the table right next to the princess. The reason being that my neighbours - who have adopted me this year - the father is the Principal of the Institute. Each family usually pays for and cooks for the family table - we just happened to be lucky enough to be on the 2nd best one! (Prinecess had the best - but I'm working on it!)
The King's Nephew, his wife, and their driver died in a car accident in the US. All the buildings are draped in purple or black. There is a month of mourning - which means wearing black everyday, no music or celebrations, and a state funeral.
School is back into full swing. The students are doing well, although some of their mid-year exams results were a bit disheartening. But it has made me even more determined to see improvement before the end of the year. I can't believe I only have a few months to go. Time is truly flying. Ofa Atu, Jordy

For information about the People in Mission program, contact Kathy Periera, People in Mission Coordinator, Ph 02 8267 4230, kathyp@nat.uca.org.au