The Presidents Banquet

Along with others from KPC I was invited to the Presidents Banquet. This was a wonderful event whereby we were met and greeted by President Tong in the beautiful maneaba, lagoon side, with an amazing full moon. It was a very special evening with traditional dance, a huge feast and minimal speeches.

Amazing traditional dance was unforgettable!

Independence Day 12th July

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The Independence Day Parade involved police, pictured above, marines, clubs and youth groups and ending with the little pre school children.

Independence Day Week Long Celebrations

The 12th July is Independence Day so we have a week off work and lots of celebrations in town.
First there were traditional dance competitions in Bairiki on Saturday

Monday was Gospel Day, an ecumenical day held at the Catholic Cathedral, with a service, morning tea, huge feast, traditional dance, choirs, and then speeches.

Picture of the inside the cathedral during the children's action song with Leaders guiding them.

Outside the church waiting with friends to go to the maneaba for the rest of the days programme.

My current work involves preparation for workshops, arranging health clinics and village talks continue.
I am currently looking at ways we can get some tooth brushes and paste to give away when I talk to parents about children's teeth.


The photo below is one taken at the Parliament House Restaurant where the monthly "Book Club" is held. We all swap novels and have a nice buffet lunch, including lobster, a lot of laughter and good food.

 I am truly blessed to be in this beautiful country with such friendly and hospitable people to work with..

Village Health Talks

Over the nearly three hours of talking women and children would come and go according to their needs. This group stayed for the full length of the program while we talked about reproduction, pregnancy, hygiene products, specific children's illnesses and diabetes. The older women in the middle was the spokesperson, being the eldest, so I will have to be more creative in involving the others in questions and comments next time. It is not the custom here to be outspoken when an older woman is present.

Permission given by people involved for photographs to go online.


Who could not enjoy working with such wonderful families?.This happy mother was awaiting our arrival to discuss her babies scalp problem.
The teddy was given at the end of the session during which time it had been used squashed up in the foetal position to demonstrate how a baby travels through the birth canal prior to birth. Even those who already had children were fascinated as they had not had access to this information prior to the birth of their children.

Village Talks

Health Promotion - childbirth

Tennai, Health Promotion Assistant and local Elder in the maneaba following our first village woman's health talk. The teddy was used squashed up in the fetal position to demonstrate childbirth.


All people shown in the following pictures have given their permission for photos to be displayed.

First Week

Well I've managed to enjoy the first week here and settling in to a routine now. I've been made welcome by so many new people it's amazing; very humbling. I still miss home though but now having a phone that works at last means I am able to contact home and I feel more secure knowing all is well there also.
My work is in the RAK building opposite my accommodation where the women do craft work, learn new skills and outreach programs are run from. Following a visit to a monthly Women's Fellowship meeting where I stayed overnight to address the women about the work I will be doing, our small team has request to visit three villages the first one we commence tomorrow.
I have been appointed a young women to learn my skills in health promotion, which I am really excited about, she will be helping with translation as we discuss the five topics chosen by this village. The topics will reproduction, menstrual cycles and problems, childhood illness and diabetes. As these topics are so large I can only skim over the surface but hopefully it will lead to individual questions and answers.
The female reproduction apron will be given it's debut tomorrow along with Sian's felt diagram of the menstrual cycle. Thanks again for everyone's support and prayers.

Beautiful Kiribati

The following photos have been contributed by Leslene for inclusion in this album. Leslene is currently working as a volunteer librarian at The Theological College, Tarawa.



Sunset




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Parliament House, Tarawa.

Village scene viewed from  an outrigger.

Kiribati Dance.

The Promise.