An interview with Daryl Holmes (1300 Smiles) on his recent health care visit to PNG

What first interested you about the YWAM Medical Ship?
I’d heard of medical/dental mercy ships in the past. In 2003, the Pacific Link came to Townsville and we had a local ADA sub-branch visit to the ship when it was in port, very near to where it was when it was here recently. I was instantly inspired and it struck a cord way back then that this was going to be a wonderful thing. In those days, the ship was operating in the South Pacific Islands and based out of NZ – somewhat remote from our doorstep in Townsville.  I started hearing from colleagues, friends and associates that one of those ships was going to be Townsville-based and operate in Papua New Guinea.  It was a 7 year journey that all seemed to fall into place and made perfect sense, as it was local, seeable, touchable and “on-boardable” for me to get involved on any level that I could.
 
How do you see your role in assisting with YWAM’s aim to address poverty and health care in PNG?
We (I personally & 1300SMILES Ltd) have committed to support as much as humanly possible, the provision of dental services in PNG, as well as help with strategic planning, providing/facilitating dental stock & consumables, materials and equipment needed for the ship.  We’ve largely achieved all that was promised and are in pretty good shape to move forward and continue improving. When in PNG, I saw firsthand, everything in working order being used in high-demand situations. We’re seeing some of the worst of the worst cases, with people in severe pain and discomfort. They are living in poverty.  Giving people access to dentistry, optometry and primary health care will continue to impact lives. The better funded and supported, the better we can improve quality of life.
 
What was the most enjoyable aspect of your recent trip to PNG’s Gulf Province?
The unknown.  The challenge, fear and trepidation of putting media and background information out of your head and actually flying into the remote village of Kikori, getting into a Zodiac boat, cruising up and down the rivers and creeks, visiting villages, then onto the ship to remove teeth and help the dental team was unbelievable. Getting through 10’s and 100’s of patients in dire need of help. Seeing it all first hand – the beauty and poverty, the contradictions and comparisons – and then providing health care to people onboard the ship.
 
What were you and Dannielle (1300 SMILES coworker) able to achieve while there?
We did a couple of hundred extractions and pain relief in the 2 1/2 days doing dentistry. I enjoyed working as a team in a unique, remote and slightly challenging environment – definitely less controlled than our normal practices. We also had the ability to cross-train and mentor a local health care worker named Kimpson, who has been minimally trained (except 8-10 years of experience providing all kinds of health care). Kimpson is the only one in a vast distance, able to give extractions and relieve pain. We were able to mentor and become friends with him. It was incredibly powerful for him and us, to ensure that more pain management can be assisted in our absence in that region. He went from being very shy, meek and mild to puffed up, confident and competent. We put him to work and helped equip him with more instruments (donated) to do the challenging job of delivering emergency dental care and primarily relief of pain, which he has in front of him.
They say that PNG is the Land of the Unexpected – did anything unexpected happen to you?
Riding in a dugout canoe was pretty unique!  Clinically though, there were some very unexpected dental diseases and problems that we had to address and manage.  I also found the amazing camaraderie among the other 49 people on board the ship really unexpected.
 
How did you find the life on board the ship?
Great! Initially the close quarters were a bit claustrophobic and strange. Air conditioning was great. The company was extraordinary. There are an amazing group of backgrounds with at least a dozen nationalities, ranging in age from 19-50+. There was a wonderful spirit of selflessness, generosity and friendship and people were there for the right reasons. For the size and number of people on board (50-odd), there was always somewhere to go for quiet time and always a place to eat, drink and chat as required.
 
What would you say to someone else considering getting involved?
Just do it. The challenges, the rewards and the feeling of giving of yourself for others’ benefit is very gratifying and extremely worthwhile, and sadly lacking in society today.
Any questions or comments you’d like to add?
It’s just awe-inspiring to see what YWAM have done – Ken and the team – to get this ship, show it off around the country and ultimately pull everyone together and get it set up, equipped and supplied to go to Papua New Guinea. It’s been a quick succession to get the results of health care improvements to so many people. It’s very exciting to be a part of it going forward and I hope we can build on this initial trial period to be able to deliver so much more in the month and years to come

They say that PNG is the Land of the Unexpected – did anything unexpected happen to you?
Riding in a dugout canoe was pretty unique!  Clinically though, there were some very unexpected dental diseases and problems that we had to address and manage.  I also found the amazing camaraderie among the other 49 people on board the ship really unexpected.
 
How did you find the life on board the ship?
Great! Initially the close quarters were a bit claustrophobic and strange. Air conditioning was great. The company was extraordinary. There are an amazing group of backgrounds with at least a dozen nationalities, ranging in age from 19-50+. There was a wonderful spirit of selflessness, generosity and friendship and people were there for the right reasons. For the size and number of people on board (50-odd), there was always somewhere to go for quiet time and always a place to eat, drink and chat as required.
 
What would you say to someone else considering getting involved?
Just do it. The challenges, the rewards and the feeling of giving of yourself for others’ benefit is very gratifying and extremely worthwhile, and sadly lacking in society today.
Any questions or comments you’d like to add?
It’s just awe-inspiring to see what YWAM have done – Ken and the team – to get this ship, show it off around the country and ultimately pull everyone together and get it set up, equipped and supplied to go to Papua New Guinea. It’s been a quick succession to get the results of health care improvements to so many people. It’s very exciting to be a part of it going forward and I hope we can build on this initial trial period to be able to deliver so much more in the month and years to come