YWAM Medical Ships

With much appreciation to the YWAM Medical Ships’ ophthalmology (eye surgery) patrol and assistance from New Britain Palm Oil Limited, Pacific International Hospital and the Laila Foundation.

The purpose of the MoU is to establish a respectful and collaborative working relationship for the purposes of engaging and empowering young people.

Kwato Church have made available to YWAM the building currently referred to as the “The Interdenominational Youth Empowerment Centre.” The property will be utilised by YWAM for a range of training courses designed to help develop character, skills and knowledge - contributing toward the broad goals and principles of the National Youth Policy and the Higher and Technical Education Plan of PNG.

It is working together with YWAM – University of the Nations Kona Hawaii to expand their operations in PNG this month by exploring the feasibility of the campus.

YWAM has been invited to establish the campus by the Member for Alotau Open and Minister for National Planning & Monitoring, Charles Abel.

Central Province Governor, Kila Haoda, came good on his 2016 operational funding pledge to support the work of the medical ship.

This follows the presentation of K50,000 earlier in the year to meet the 2015 operational funding pledge.

Governor Haoda, accompanied by Central Provincial Administrator, Gei Guni Raga, said the provincial administration is proud of its partnership with YWAM Medical Ships in the Central Province.

“Our partnership with YWAM Medical Ships is an initiative that brings great joy to my heart,” said Governor Haoda.

The visit came just hours before MV YWAM PNG (and her volunteer team from 15 nations) was scheduled to set sail on the first outreach voyage of its Stage 3 deployment to Gulf Province.

Puma Energy has been a major supporter of YWAM Medical Ships since 2015 through the provision of MV YWAM PNG’s total fuel and lubricant requirements. This was for their healthcare and training activities in the Southern region and Huon Gulf.

YWAM’s Medical Ship, MV Pacific Link, has just completed a successful deployment to Madang Province. 

Its director, Brett Curtis, said the ship’s first voyage to Madang Province was very special. 

“Thousands of lives have been impacted over the last 8 months, including a woman named Luweng from Karkar Island, who had a pterygium (tissue growth) on her eye.

“Luweng’s sight dramatically improved after an eye surgery in our onboard operating theatre,” he said in a statement.

He is fulfilling a pledge toward operational expenses for YWAM’s training and medical ship.

Governor Naru said the provincial administration is proud of its partnership with YWAM Medical Ships in Morobe Province.

“Morobe is the most populated province in Papua New Guinea. We have thousands of villages in remote coastal and inland areas that are extremely hard to reach.

“We appealed to YWAM Medical Ships to consider coming to Morobe Province two years ago, we needed help in reaching our isolated communities. We are so grateful that they accepted our invitation.