The Last Week

Thank you to the many people who have supported both Peter and myself over our volunteer placements at KPC . It has been the most wonderful experience; learning from the local people as well as passing on our skills as best we can.

The people we met will remain in my heart forever, their patience and kindness as they guided us through some challenging times especially the staff of the Women's Centre... the amazing team pictured below.

May you continue the good work you are doing to empower the women of Kiribati.

Above, RAK Women's Centre Staff farewell photo and left Tabaina and me with farewell dress and gifts.

 Thanks to Tabaina and Teburenga for their support during my time at KPC, such good work they are doing along with staff in catering and sewing departments.



Below, staff farewell on Saturday evening, lots of good food, singing and speeches

Just a note to those who were impressed with the healthy eating and weight loss programme initiated at  KPC. Pete smugly thought he had lost some weight and eagerly jumped on the suitcase scales at the Bairiki airport and reeled off them at a staggering 108kg in shorts and Tshirt... a total of 5kg up from the start of the weight loss programme (though he grasped at straws saying maybe 2kg could be the shorts and T shirt!).
Hence he will now be placed on a frugal diet while in Fiji...in my dreams!

The Gender in Local Government three day workshop participants; a learning time about the problems and suggested solutions to equality issues in Kiribati.

Work

Maneaba in Temeiku Village

j 

Temeiku village health talk followed by a talk in Betio the next day; before we leave. Both sessions about three hours with interested
women listening and occasionally asking questions.

Pre School teacher training in 'healthy diet and nutrition for children' included a gift of a tooth brush and paste. Thank you to Hamilton Wesley Church for donations.
New volunteer Kim, assistant to the Pre School Co-ordinator, will continue the work of teaching children to brush teeth with the left over resources.


Last Trauma Teddy given to Kim, pictured below right, who will be taken to entertain pre school children as part of her health education talks

                  

Thanks to the Victorian Quit Program for information and pamphlets. This is the outside of our office window right where many visitors smokers enter the board room.
20 smokers working for KPC signed up to help cut down or stop smoking. Very difficult to do with no access to nicotine patches and counsellors.
Two local people have the opportunity to do the training to be Quit Counsellors. I hope this happens soon to keep the momentum up.

Health Screening Day at Antebuka

                                                        
A request to help the first year student nurses learn about primary health care in the community led to their involvement in our Health Screening Day at KPC.
About 50 community and staff members attended the session.

Previously I had arranged two other health screening days with 22 and then 25 people attending so this one was very successful both as a training exercise for the nurses and also identifying potential health problems for those who attended. Thank you to the nurses who happily helped out so willingly. Great to see nurses doing preventative work in the community, something which I am passionate about, we can often prevent ill health by screening, information and advice which is so important.

Farewell to all our Friends

Thank you to all our church friends for the warm welcome and ongoing support throughout our stay. The services and singing in the chapel have been inspiring and uplifting.

A big thank you to the wonderful ladies in my Thursday bible study group. What an amazing and memorable farewell afternoon tea. Such fun and fellowship. I hope we will meet again.

Happy healthy smiles

Thank you to Hamilton Wesley Uniting Church for donation of tooth brushes and paste for the Sunday School children.

This particular place in South Tarawa (pictured below) is lovingly called Mount Kiribati. I was told tonight at the Hash Harriers Walking Club meeting that the I-Kiribati people suffer from "tsunami burn out" so warnings are never really taken seriously and life goes on oblivious. Where would you go anyway?

Teirio Island

Teirio Island is about an hour and a half boat ride from Betio wharf. The following scenes show, to the right, breakfast in the maneaba and on the left the sunrise from our bure.

Eight guests, several staff and three local fishermen staying there.

 Travel to Teirio Island for the weekend was by speed boat; the one on the right hand side.
We all found the ride bumpy but exciting with sprays of warm water as we tore through an aquamarine sea scape across the lagoon, reef and coral. Unbelievably beautiful as we arrived at this uninhabited island (except for a caretaker when everyone has gone home).

The maneaba to the left was used as dining room and relaxation communal area. While each couple or single had their own above ground bure facing the sea as bedroom. Such lovely cool breezes and starry, starry, balmy nights

Farewell and Birthday Party

Friend Avira, pictured on the right, invited us to the farewell party of her relatives returning home after a holiday.

Lots of food, traditional dance and singing.

.

Below, cutting the cake to celebrate the birthdays of Avira's husband and sister in law. Everyone presented with garlands. A perfect balmy evening with the sea just a short distance away from where the food is lined up ready for when the speeches have finished.

Pete is getting quite a following for his Kiribati dress style so here is one for his fans. Another pose with the famous woven bible bag and the garland look that is becoming so popular!!!