YWAM Medical Ships - Australia & Papua New Guinea

YWAM MEDICAL SHIPS AUSTRALIA

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

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Youth with a Mission (YWAM) is a worldwide Christian movement operating in more than 180 countries since 1960. YWAM is decentralized in structure; each centre is financially and legally autonomous, allowing locations to adapt and serve the specific needs of the community. YWAM Medical Ships is a Christian charity that aims to care, connect, serve and build with communities. YWAM Medical Ships values individuals’ rights to quality of life.

YWAM Medical Ships is actively developing communities by addressing health care and training needs in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in partnership with the relevant national and provincial government administrations.

YWAM Medical Ships implements its program, in association with key stakeholders and partners, via use of a Training and Medical Ship and land-based teams deployed in rural PNG communities. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) are in place with a number of sector leads including the National Department of Health (NDoH) and provinces engaged. All of YWAM Medical Ships staff, including senior project managers, are full-time volunteers.

YWAM MEDICAL SHIPS VISION

YWAM Medical Ships’ vision is based on the need for a respectful and collaborative partnership with the people of PNG and Australia. The aim is to see major, sustainable health improvement and education in PNG while simultaneously seeing relationships strengthened between Australia and PNG.

YWAM MEDICAL SHIPS MISSION

To see improved quality of life for the people of PNG through development-focused programs, with current emphasis on the health sector, while also building Australians’ capacity to serve through volunteering.

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THE SHIP

Following the success of a successful five month fundraising campaign in 2014, YWAM Medical Ships purchased the MV YWAM PNG to service remote areas of the Southern Region of PNG with health and training services. The vessel replaced YWAM Medical Ships first vessel, the MV Pacific Link, a 35 year-old Japanese fishing vessel with an on board dentistry clinic and capacity to accommodate up to 50 volunteers.

The MV YWAM PNG is a 15 year-old catamaran that was formerly a cruise ship. The vessel boasts a shallow draft and capacity to accommodate 100+ volunteers. In 2016, an on-board dentistry clinic, day procedure unit and laboratory was added to the vessel, along with four small boats that can be launched from the ship to reach extremely remote communities. Another round of renovations are planned June – September 2017 and will include the construction of a multi-purpose training/common room, the installation of new water makers and accommodation upgrades.

YWAM Medical Ships engages a committed and diverse team drawn from many nations. All self-funded volunteers, these staff work together with a network of advisors and other professionals to support the work of the Training and Medical Ship in PNG.

WHY PAPUA NEW GUINEA?

PNG is Australia's nearest international neighbour and is a nation where 43% of the population is under the age of 15, one in

four Papua New Guinean children will not live to celebrate their 40th birthday.

Delivering basic services in Papua New Guinea poses enormous challenges with 84% of the population living in remote, rural areas. These communities are scattered over rugged terrain, complex river systems, vast expanses of ocean, and an extensive coastline – just a few hundred kilometers from Australia’s coast.

YWAM Medical Ship helps overcome the challenge by accessing isolated communities with medical specialists, supplies, health services and mentoring and support for rural health workers. We serve throughout the Southern Region and Huon Gulf.

Check out YWAM Medical Ships website! www.ywamships.org.au