The new pool. The new pool from the other end. The slide into the pool.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
29th January 2005
Bro. Jim's Update
The saga of the container is now over. In earlier dispatchers we told you of the problems we were incurring in getting the container to Vanimo. It eventually arrived last weekend and we were able to get to it for unloading on Monday the 24th Jan. We had a wait of 2 hours for the customs officers to turn up, eventually a boy from the office came and told us to go ahead and the officers would come and check the goods at the Senta. We are still waiting! If and when they do get out there will not be much left as there is a big sale at the Senta today. We sorted all the goods throughout the week and the goods for sale have been set out in the activities room where the sale will be held. We were very fortunate to be able to sell all the school furniture from the wharf and so we did not have to transport it all to the Senta. The local schools are extremely grateful for the schol furniture and books and are asking for more but the hassle of getting the containers to Vanimo is proving a bit much. We have replaced all our old computers with the ones donated by the children of St. Charles Boromeo school in Templestowe. The computers are yet to be set up but will be done as soon as things are sorted out and settle back to normal. There is also a great supply of library books for our Senta as well as those sold to the schools. The kids love the library and spend any of their spare time browsing through the books. The children from the village are also encouraged to borrow books. Everyone at the Senta are extremely grateful to Anthony Cheevers, a retired teacher or perhaps that should read "an ex teacher" and his wife Joan who have collected the goods for the container, transported them to Templestowe for storage and then sorted and packed the goods. Thanks must also go to Brian Moore of the Doncaster Knights of the Southern Cross along with his brother-in-law Norm who worked alongside Bro. Jim and packed the container. It could not have been packed any better by professionals.
29th January 2005
Bro. Jim's Update
It has been a frustrating time for Bro. Jim since his return from holidays. A decision was taken to build a new permanent pool as the old Clarkes pool and liner were beyond repair and a pool is an vital part of the kids therapy. Everything was going very well and the main construction was finished within 2 weeks and that only left the plastering of the pool to be done. It is a month now since we reached that stage was reached and there has been no further development since then due to the fact that there is no cement in town.
The new pool.
The new pool from the other end.
The slide into the pool.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
The reason there is no cement is that there has not been a ship into Vanimo in that time and that is the cause for the Jim's second frustration, the container. While in Melbourne, Jim with the help of Joan and Anthony, Brian Moore and his brother in law Norm, worked very hard to gather and pack goods into the container. It was with the hope that the container would be in Vanimo by the end of December so as it could be unpacked during the holiday time and that would allow the Senta building to be used while the kids were not there.
The grand opening.
Loading up the truck.
These goods were sold on the wharf.
Preventing chairs from toppling out.
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The container arrived in Lae on the 12th December but from then is when the problems started. It was consigned "under bond" to Vanimo and should have arrived on the 19th December. When it did not arrive on the ship, Jim rang to find out why and was told that the container belonged to the shipping company and that they did not want it to go to a port they don't normally ship to. Although Jim assured them that he had bought the container, they would not release it without proof. Of course, being holiday time there was a delay getting that proof but eventually the documents were faxed to them and the all clear was given. The next ship, still no container and so more phone calls. The reason this time was that the ship was not registered to carry under bond cargo and the container would have to be cleared in Lae. This caused great consternation as those that packed the container would appreciate just how difficult that would be if customs decided to go through it. Jim gave the permission for clearance but on the condition that the container was not opened. If it was to be opened he wanted to be there to assure that nothing was stolen.
Goods set aside for sale at the wharf.
Truck laden with first load of goods.
Fully loaded.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
This dragged on for a couple more weeks and they assured us that the clearing was been done from the paper work. In the meantime there was still no ship into Vanimo as it had broken down and could not leave Lae. The break down was more serious than first thought and so another ship had to be used for the Vanimo run. It arrived into Vanimo this morning with container loads of cement, rice and other much needed supplies for the town but the big surprise was that the container for the Senta is also on board, not yet cleared by customs. Forty eight days after arrival in Lae it finally reaches its destination. Now the work is ahead of Jim, Harry and the boys to unload it next week and cart everything to Waromo and because the kids start back at the Senta next week, they will not be able to just dump it in the Senta. However no doubt something will be worked out.
Budi & acobi unloading container.
Another load.
My car chockas.
Nearly all out.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
At least Jim has his new workshop where he could work and let off some of his steam. The first item to be turned out is a beautiful Rosewood table which has been sold even before it is finished. The last week has been a busy time for the volunteers as they have gathered to prepare lessons, discuss and plan time tables and to clean up the Senta in readiness for next week.
During the holidays Florence worked with Appolonia 3 days a week and also visited Marian Seau 3 days a week to make sure that her sore was clean and dry. Florence really is a very caring and dedicated person.
The holiday was also a busy time with visitors to the Senta. First there was the group of "Youth Ambassadors" that arrived in PNG with Karen. They came to see just what Karen's placement was like and they were suitably impressed.
Then Karen's parents, Anne and Ray, paid a visit. Although they were only here for a week, they were able to see Karen's work place and experience the hospitality of the local people.
3rd January 2005
Boxing Day tsunami
The New Year got off to a very bad start for many who suffered so much during and since the Boxing Day tsunami. After experiencing the Sisano tsunami of 1998, it is not hard for me to imagine the devastation, the chaos, the panic, the fear, the grief, the pain, the loss and the sorrow of the recent tsunami and it is amazing how it has brought all the emotions of 1998 so vividly to mind.
What I find so hard to comprehend is the enormity of this disaster. My mind is numb with trying to get my thoughts
around it. I was shocked and stunned at the Sisano tsunami and I thought that was huge. The Boxing Day one probably
lasted about the same amount of time but wreaked so much havoc across so many countries and claimed tens of thousand
lives.
From what I have seen here, the survivors will certainly never ever forget what they have been through and although
it will take time, they will learn to get on with their lives and this will be made easier by the generosity of
people.
It is wonderful to see that people can be so generous regardless of creed , race or colour and that they respond so
willinly and generously at such a time. It is just sad that it takes such a disaster to bring countries and people
together but hopefully that is one of the positives that comes out of this terrible disaster.
Perhaps at this time we should also be thinking of the other disasters going on in the world such as the war in Iraq,
the problems in the Middle East and the famine and AIDS epidemic in Africa especially in the North Eastern parts,
Sudan and Ethiopia, where thousands are dying from hunger and disease.
My prayers and thoughts go out to all those who survived the tsunami but who lost loved ones and all their earthly
possesions, to all those involved in the grissly search and recovery of bodies, to the aid workers and to the medical
teams who are doing so much in such difficult circumstances to bring relief to the survivors.
I wish there was more that I could do to help in some way. All my efforts are towards St. Gemma's Senta bilong
Helpim which touches the lives of 100 or so children and yet there are millions out there who are desperate for help.
Bro. Jim
18th April 2007
National Disabled Day
Br. Ben gets the message across.
She ain't heavy, she's my sister!
A Lesson in accessablility
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
23rd February 2007
Disabled Seminar in Port Moresby.
There was a Disabled Seminar in Port Moresby from 9-16 February 2007. Delegates marched from the Holiday Inn to the John Guise Statium and got plenty of attention. Mary Tresa attended with some of the helpers from the Senta. She was able to do some networking. The Government is apparently offering some money for the disabled.
Fiona Pilo meeting the Prime Minister.
Mary Tresa.
Yawari mudmen.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
The pictures show Fiona Pilo, who is one of the teachers of the deaf in the Senta meeting the prime minister, and Mary Tresa leading the march, behind the Yawari mudmen. This has been good publicity for the Senta.
10th October 2006
Mary Tresa arrives at the Senta.
Mary Tresa has arrived to be the clinical director of the Senta. Mary Tresa comes from southern India and is a nurse with wide experience in managing the disabled and working in rural areas.
Father Phil Smith and Dr Elizabeth Lewis arrived in Vanimo with Mary Tresa on 4th September 2006. There was a welcoming party at the airport and then a special lunch next day at the Senta. The icecream at the lunch was kindly supplied by Brother James and was a big hit with the kids.
Mary Tresa's first look.
Welcome Mary Tresa.
Icecream is very welcome
Icecream is very popular
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
Mary Tresa has settled in and is working with Brother Ben and Florence to extend the support given to the children. She was introduced to the Board of the Senta Bilong Helpim and will take her place as a member.
Noreen Tom and Vicki Avai from Dame Carol Kidu department visited the Senta between 8th and 14th September and were very impressed by the level of support given to the children. They made a generous donation of 6,000 kina from the government.
The kids with the new buses.
Memebers of the board.
Noreen Tom and Vicki Avei.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
2rd July 2006
Dr Murnane and Dr Lewis visit the Senta.
Dr Merrilyn Murnane and Dr Elizabeth Lewis visited the Senta Bilong Helpim in June 2006. We started our visit to PNG with a meeting with Dame Carol Kidu,
the minister for Community Development. Disability services are in her portfolio. We had a good hearing and she is keen to use the Senta as a
flagship for the supply of disabled services in the country. She is keen to see the Senta in September when Dr Lewis returns for the passionists synod. Hopefully she will go to Vanimo with us then.
(Left to right in the photo below left, are Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, Father Phil Smith, Dame Carol Kidu (Minister), Jean Eparo (Disabled Desk)
Joesph Klapat (Secretary of Deptartment) and Dr. Merrilyn Murnane.
Meeting with Dame Carol Kidu.
The Japanese Memorial at Wewak.
Handover of Rotary money to Father Phill Smith.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
The Senta continues under the day to day management of Bro Ben. The Board under chairman John Barry meets regularly. In early September Mary Tresa arrives from India to run the Senta She is a nurse with many skills which will enhance our clinical programmes. She is also keen to improve the teaching and training of our helpers, perhaps linked to Callan services in Wewak.
We also spent time in Wewak and Madang meeting people from Callan services and the Divine Word University. It is important to link with all the groups providing disabled services in the country.
The Market at Wewak.
The new wheelchair being tested.
Physiotherapy School, Divine Word University, Madang.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
The next main thrust of fundraising is for education of the children and training of the helpers This will make the Senta self sustainable. Mr Max Griffiths from Carlton Rotary joined us on this trip. Rotary is interested in helping in the country and has already been involved in projects such as water tanks and mosquito nets. Max hopes to interest Rotary in other major projects, and on this occasion presented $8,000 to Father Phil Smith for the Solar panels at the Senta..
25th March 2006
Brother Ben's day at the Senta.
Each day at Monday to Friday at 7-15am I drive along the road picking up the children from town and nearby settlements. The bus arrives at the Senta by 9 am. We then have morning prayer followed by 30 minutes game. Later the children go to their respective groups according to the nature of their disabilities, and get ready for their normal classes. This is all done by the helpers.
At 1pm every Thursday we do a special programme, Community based rehabilitation {CBR} along the West coast road to Wutung. The helpers wanted to go into the bush areas also, but the cost of airfares makes it impossible. I spend most of my time at the Senta making sure the needs of the Senta are met and that it is operating well.
The generator is an ongoing problem, and the phone system is very bad. Some fuel was stolen recently. There are 37 children at the Senta and 20 helpers.I really enjoy working with the children, and the helpers. Recently we had a talk given to the parents on sexual abuse and family violence by the Department of Welfare, 43 attended. We are also preparing to host the National Disabled Day in Vanimo town on 29th March 2006.
16th January 2006
Dr. Lewis's Update
Dr Merrilyn Murnane, Dr Elizabeth Lewis and Mr Max Griffiths [representative of Carlton Rotary] visited the Senta in mid November. Since Brother James had left a number of problems started to appear. The staff were unsure of what was happening as James had left suddenly and they had not been told if or when he would be back. After meetings with the Senta staff and the Board we were able to reassure them that the Passionists retained an interest in the Senta [affirmed by Father Phil Smith] and the support group remained committed to providing support.
Teaching the children.
Teaching the children.
The garden has grown.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.
Stabilisation of the Senta was our priority. The Board has decided that there should be a representative of the Passionists on the Board as well as a representative of the Diocese. Brother Ben will look after the day to day financial services and the monthly accounts will go to Father Phil. We will promote an ongoing relationship between the Senta and Vanimo General Hospital to allow sharing of medical and physio services. Harry will continue to look after the general services and Florence the care of the children.
Medical Examination by Dr. Murnane.
The Senta is fun !!
Melvin with a problem.
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A new bus will need to be bought, and a more reliable power supply.[the generator had been out of order since February so there was no power for fans, pool or woodwork] When we left there was a backup generator in use. In spite of all these problems we saw many children attending the Senta , Dr Murnane examined all the new children and we checked the programmes. It would be good to get a physio up there as soon as possible to supervise the rehabilitation programmes. Hopefully though Max Griffiths we can get some financial support for the equipment needs. The Senta needs your support as ever, there are so many children who can be helped. A few of them are seen in the pictures taken on our trip.
The workers of the Senta.
Physio continues.
Please click on the thumbnails for a larger photo.