The NR2H team headed back to PNG for the 6th and final time in 2014. The team consisted of the following incredibly super awesome people:
The team arrived in Port Moresby on Friday 7th November. We headed straight to the hotel (Poolside bar of course) for a briefing.
Saturday 8th November – Morning: we attended at the Six mile health clinic where we were warmly welcomed by Willy and his team of local health care workers. (LHCW) What an eye opener. Rupert very quietly won the locals over with his humour and kindness. All patients’ details are recorded and added to the data base. Lisa set the girls up in their consultancy roles and the patients come thick and fast. Dozens and dozens of people were treated for a multitude of illnesses and injuries. The interaction and training provided to the LHCW was amazing with mutual respect shown.
- Lisa Chapman – Nurse (43) Clinical Team Leader
- Sandy Jacobs – Nurse (45) Waverly Private Hospital
- Judy Stone – Nurse (52) Waverly Private Hospital
- Lyn Stewart – Nurse (50) Monash Hospital
- Nicole Heaver – Nurse (51) Bethesda Hospital, WA
- Robyn Marklew – Nurse (45) Wangaratta Hospital
- Sue Grasby – Nurse (50) Cabrini Private Hospital
- Rupert Butterworth – Senior Manager (54) Telstra Super fund (NR2H Administration officer)
The team arrived in Port Moresby on Friday 7th November. We headed straight to the hotel (Poolside bar of course) for a briefing.
Saturday 8th November – Morning: we attended at the Six mile health clinic where we were warmly welcomed by Willy and his team of local health care workers. (LHCW) What an eye opener. Rupert very quietly won the locals over with his humour and kindness. All patients’ details are recorded and added to the data base. Lisa set the girls up in their consultancy roles and the patients come thick and fast. Dozens and dozens of people were treated for a multitude of illnesses and injuries. The interaction and training provided to the LHCW was amazing with mutual respect shown.
Afternoon: We attended a community settlement in the outer suburbs where the people from the villages of Kagi and Alola have settled in Port Moresby. Another clinic was set up with patients assessed and treated, as well as conducting general health check-ups. At the completion of the clinic we were taken on a tour of the community. Following a sing along with all of the children we were farewelled like rock stars – Humbling and Gratifying.
Sunday 9th November – Morning: Up early and out to the airport. Our chartered flight took us from Port Moresby to the village of Efogi 1. Amazing views of the mountain ranges, valleys, rivers and villages before a perfect landing on the grass airstrip. Thanks Pilot Joe.
We’re off - heading north on the Kokoda track through the village of Efogi 2. It is hot and demanding. A quick dip in Main Creek freshens us up for the climb into Kagi village where we are greeted by the woman and children who sang to us and presented us with a welcoming flower necklace.
Sunday 9th November – Morning: Up early and out to the airport. Our chartered flight took us from Port Moresby to the village of Efogi 1. Amazing views of the mountain ranges, valleys, rivers and villages before a perfect landing on the grass airstrip. Thanks Pilot Joe.
We’re off - heading north on the Kokoda track through the village of Efogi 2. It is hot and demanding. A quick dip in Main Creek freshens us up for the climb into Kagi village where we are greeted by the woman and children who sang to us and presented us with a welcoming flower necklace.
Lisa organises the clinic and it’s down to work – Rupert recording and the girls assessing and treating the villagers. They work closely with the LCHW – Jackson, who acts as an interpreter in some cases. Clinic completed we regroup at our guest house and camp site for dinner and a debrief. Tired but fulfilled we fall asleep as the jungle nightlife comes to life – Sensational.
Monday 10th November – Morning: We break camp after breakfast and trek from Kagi to Naduri. A quick stop at Kovovo community school gives us an insight into the local education facilities. We take some time to learn about the 1942 battles along the Track. We acknowledge that we are saving the lives of the descendants of the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” who helped save the lives of the Australian soldiers during World War II.
Afternoon: Naduri clinic is open. Villagers are given health checks and patients assessed and treated. The porter team and some LHCW’s are educated in basic first aid. The practical sessions of applying bandages and splints is both beneficial and greatly amusing. The clinic is cleaned, the medical supplies are catalogued and organised. We are visited by the Naduri Chief – Maloo, who exchanges gifts with us. We eat, talk, laugh and sleep in the clinic. Day 2 of the track successfully completed.
Tuesday 11th November – Morning: we trek from Naduri to Efogi 1. The track is very busy with people from several villages heading to Efogi with food, timber and firewood. They are setting up for a huge church festival from Dec 10-22 to celebrate 100 years of 7th day Adventists teaching along the Kokoda Track. They are very kind and caring people and we have several interactions with mutual respect. We arrive at Efogi and head to the creek junction water hole where we sit as a group in the soothing mountain water. Leg muscle paradise.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, The Ode is recited, silence observed, tears shed. An emotionally, powerful experience sitting in a remote jungle creek and one that we will remember forever. ‘Lest we forget’
Afternoon: the clinic is cleaned, medical supplies categorised and sorted. The villagers come in for their health checks and to receive assistance. Sexual education sessions are completed for the porters, CHCW, and some local men. They listen intently and are grateful for the knowledge.
Monday 10th November – Morning: We break camp after breakfast and trek from Kagi to Naduri. A quick stop at Kovovo community school gives us an insight into the local education facilities. We take some time to learn about the 1942 battles along the Track. We acknowledge that we are saving the lives of the descendants of the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” who helped save the lives of the Australian soldiers during World War II.
Afternoon: Naduri clinic is open. Villagers are given health checks and patients assessed and treated. The porter team and some LHCW’s are educated in basic first aid. The practical sessions of applying bandages and splints is both beneficial and greatly amusing. The clinic is cleaned, the medical supplies are catalogued and organised. We are visited by the Naduri Chief – Maloo, who exchanges gifts with us. We eat, talk, laugh and sleep in the clinic. Day 2 of the track successfully completed.
Tuesday 11th November – Morning: we trek from Naduri to Efogi 1. The track is very busy with people from several villages heading to Efogi with food, timber and firewood. They are setting up for a huge church festival from Dec 10-22 to celebrate 100 years of 7th day Adventists teaching along the Kokoda Track. They are very kind and caring people and we have several interactions with mutual respect. We arrive at Efogi and head to the creek junction water hole where we sit as a group in the soothing mountain water. Leg muscle paradise.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, The Ode is recited, silence observed, tears shed. An emotionally, powerful experience sitting in a remote jungle creek and one that we will remember forever. ‘Lest we forget’
Afternoon: the clinic is cleaned, medical supplies categorised and sorted. The villagers come in for their health checks and to receive assistance. Sexual education sessions are completed for the porters, CHCW, and some local men. They listen intently and are grateful for the knowledge.
Wednesday 12th November – Morning: We trek up to Brigade Hill, where a service is conducted to remember the brave Australian soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in this brutal and bloody battle. Proudly, there are more tears as we place poppies and ribbons around the site. We trek down to the picturesque Menari River where we swim underneath the waterfalls – Incredibly beautiful! We arrive at Menari for a well-earned lunch after a challenging trek.
Afternoon: The clinic is set up and thanks to the encouragement of Pastor Samuel – almost the whole village attends. Rupert and the girls are flat out, as dozens of villagers of all ages from 6 days old to 78 years attend for a wide range of ailments. I don’t think Jackson has ever worked as hard.
Pastor Samuel blesses us and the clinic closes in the dark. We regroup for dinner, and are joined by a local teacher Annie-Rose and her missionary husband Robert. Together with the porters and several local woman and children they form a choir. Robert plays his guitar and we sing several songs together with great enthusiasm and punctuated by rapturous applause. A magic moment!
Afternoon: The clinic is set up and thanks to the encouragement of Pastor Samuel – almost the whole village attends. Rupert and the girls are flat out, as dozens of villagers of all ages from 6 days old to 78 years attend for a wide range of ailments. I don’t think Jackson has ever worked as hard.
Pastor Samuel blesses us and the clinic closes in the dark. We regroup for dinner, and are joined by a local teacher Annie-Rose and her missionary husband Robert. Together with the porters and several local woman and children they form a choir. Robert plays his guitar and we sing several songs together with great enthusiasm and punctuated by rapturous applause. A magic moment!
Thursday 13th November – Morning: After breakfast, we tour the village. An enthusiastic guided tour of the church by porter Samuel and a game of soccer between the “Aussie Angels” and the local children are highlights. Pilot Joe arrived, (as promised 4 days ago). The whole village gathers at the airstrip to cheer us. Their respect, appreciation and gratefulness is both obvious and humbling. We arrive at Port Moresby, have a quick lunch and then it’s onto the bus to visit the Bomana War Cemetery.
Afternoon: Bomana, an incredibly beautiful setting is contrasted by overwhelming sadness. We walk, talk, observe and despair. Robyn reads Metson’s brave story in honour of her grandad. A 2/16th Battalion Track hero. Powerful and emotional – tears flow and respect paid.
We travel to the Port Moresby General Hospital where we are given a VIP tour as the CEO’s Guests. We are greeted by dozen of enthusiastic staff across many wards who acknowledge Lisa’s NR2H September hospital clinics, where hundreds of staff were trained in basic life support.
Initially confronting, it is obvious that good progress is being made. We are made to promise to return and help these beautiful and dedicated people to continue to raise the standards. Bring on 2015!
Back to the Hotel for a hot shower and a cold drink or two. We conclude this amazing journey with our formal dinner and certificate presentation. Proud, fulfilled and inspired, we retire. Sleep well “Aussie Angels” – Awesome achievement.
Regards, Al xx
Afternoon: Bomana, an incredibly beautiful setting is contrasted by overwhelming sadness. We walk, talk, observe and despair. Robyn reads Metson’s brave story in honour of her grandad. A 2/16th Battalion Track hero. Powerful and emotional – tears flow and respect paid.
We travel to the Port Moresby General Hospital where we are given a VIP tour as the CEO’s Guests. We are greeted by dozen of enthusiastic staff across many wards who acknowledge Lisa’s NR2H September hospital clinics, where hundreds of staff were trained in basic life support.
Initially confronting, it is obvious that good progress is being made. We are made to promise to return and help these beautiful and dedicated people to continue to raise the standards. Bring on 2015!
Back to the Hotel for a hot shower and a cold drink or two. We conclude this amazing journey with our formal dinner and certificate presentation. Proud, fulfilled and inspired, we retire. Sleep well “Aussie Angels” – Awesome achievement.
Regards, Al xx
ADVENTURE, REMOTE, HUMANITARIAN HEALTH CARE ROCKS!!!
Expedition Photo Gallery
