YWAM Medical Ships’ volunteers gathered at the Port of Townsville bright and early this morning to wave goodbye to the YWAM Training and Medical Ship, MV YWAM PNG, as she sets sail for another deployment to Papua New Guinea.
The MV YWAM PNG has been in her home-port of Townsville for restocking, maintenance and events for the past six weeks and is now ready to begin another 10-month deployment.
YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director, Mr Ken Mulligan, said that it has been a major collaborative effort to see the MV YWAM PNG return to PNG.
“The ship is restocked with food, supplies and fuel – ready for the next deployment. Many people from across the globe have helped us reach this milestone. There’s been a big range of people who have contributed, everything from school children collecting toothbrushes, glasses, to large companies donating fuel and medical supplies – we could not do this without the generous support of so many, we are so thankful,” said Mr Mulligan.
YWAM Medical Ships’ work is centred upon strengthening PNG’s rural health system by building capacity in local health workers, delivering essential healthcare and training, transporting drug supplies, and assisting with health facility maintenance and upgrades. The work is done in collaboration with national, provincial and district health authorities.
YWAM Medical Ships Patron and former Prime Minister for PNG, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, said he was looking forward to welcoming the MV YWAM PNG home to PNG’s shores.
“The vessel is simply a tool to overcome isolation and help reach some of our nation’s most remote communities. I am full of anticipation for what’s ahead during this next deployment – for the lives that will be touched and for the partnerships that will continue to be strengthened across the six provinces we are working in. Hundreds of volunteers from all over the world will be mobilised to serve aboard the vessel over the next 10 months, approximately 25% of the volunteers will be from Papua New Guinea.
I am proud to see an increasing number of our own people utilising the vessel for service in rural areas, particularly our healthcare professionals who have a desire to extend their reach and serve those that have limited access to healthcare and training,” said Sir Rabbie.
The MV YWAM PNG will arrive in Port Moresby this weekend. The vessel will dock in the city for a week before beginning the first outreach in Western Province on August 8th.
Volunteering positions for healthcare professionals, mariners and general volunteers are still available during the upcoming deployment. Outreach opportunities start at two weeks between August 2019 and May 2020. For more information or to apply, visit www.ywamships.org
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