A clinic is built

In my last blog I told you about the Australian team that came to build a clinic in the village of Mengino. Here is the rest of the story… The village of Mengino from a bird’s eye view.

I want you to notice in this photo that the airstrip (on the right) is not actually in the village (to the left). This is very common here in the Highlands. The villages are often built on a mountain ridge and the airstrip has to be built wherever the closest semi flat area is available.

It is approximately a 45-minute hike from the airstrip up to the village of Mengino.

At last…destination reached!

Over the past several weeks the building supplies and equipment were flown into the village in readiness for the building team’s arrival. Now it all had to be carried from the airstrip up to the village.

The team didn’t waste any time getting started and before nightfall of their first day (after flying in from Goroka and hiking up to the village) they had the foundation put in.

From that point on it was steady progress.

Everybody had their area of expertise and pitched in to help...

…well, almost everybody!

The children enjoyed playing “blocks” with the left over pieces of lumber.

These huts were provided for accommodation.

There was a bit of rat activity going on during the nights. The cat came to the rescue.

After that feast he thinks he deserves a rest – even though the trap caught the rat for him!

The cooking was done over an open fire inside this cook shack.

The women did an amazing job keeping the crew fed.

The men thought they would try their hand at it too.

Cold shower anyone?!

The “Washing Machine” busy at work.

Technology has a way of following us even to the most remote parts of the earth.

The village women enjoyed braiding straight hair.

The team held meetings every night. They hung a sheet on the side of the clinic to make a large screen.

Nimson is the village healthcare worker.

Before the clinic could even be finished the first patient arrived. This unfortunate fellow is the husband of two fighting wives. He tried to intervene and the result was a machete slash to the shoulder.

Nimson set up shop on a bench outside the unfinished clinic and proceeded to stitch up the wound.

In less then 2 weeks time the new clinic is finished! Wow, I think that is impressive.

They say, “Many hands make light work” and it is so true.

Large crowds gathered for the official opening of the clinic - not only from Mengino, but also from the neighboring village on the other side of the mountain.

Good work team!

The happy but tired group on their way back to Goroka and hot showers!

Adopt-a-Clinic

The South Pacific Division is a challenging Division because not only does it encompass Australia and New Zealand but all the South Pacific Islands such as Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, the Samoas, French Polynesian Islands, (and yes Pitcairn) just to name a few!

Several years ago the SDP started up a really awesome program called “Adopt-a-Clinic” where different churches in Australia actually adopt a clinic project for a needy village or region and fund raise to help build and support these clinics, which are run by national health care workers.

One such project is the Mengino clinic. Over the past month Bill has been flying out building supplies to the village in readiness for a “Fly & Build” team to come out and actually build the clinic. Come take a flight with us into Mengino. First we have to load all this timber into the airplane. The PAC is a perfect airplane for carrying building supplies. It can easily haul cement, roofing sheets, plywood, timber, piping, etc.

Here we are approaching the Mengino airstrip.

No, we are not going to run into the mountain. It just seems like it to jittery passengers. Bill is carefully checking out the wind on the surrounding ridge lines before committing to an approach.

Coming in on final…

…and we are about to touchdown. No worries getting stopped, this is a “long” runway as airstrips in PNG go and it has an 8% slope.

The whole village eagerly comes out to help unload the timber.

Not only do the adults all help...

...but so do the children.

Whoops! This little one is loosing his britches.

In order to provide village support, Bill will fly out their coffee, which will be sold and the money used to provide the villagers with basic supplies such as kerosene, soap, rice, medicines, etc.

After several weeks of doing this, the building team from Australia arrives. What an exciting day for the villagers. They are all gathered to greet the team in style.

No, these folks are not attacking the visitors with their bow & arrows. It is just part of the welcoming committee.

In order to show their appreciation, the villagers have carefully made flower leis to honor their guests. They ask the visitors to stand in a line…

...then in a solemn ceremony they march up and place the leis over the visitor’s heads.

Admittedly, we westerners are softies. These mattresses will help provide some restful sleep to the building team over the next couple of weeks before eventually ending up in the clinic.

In a few weeks, check back in to see what this team was able to accomplish.

Thank you “Adopt-a-Clinic” for providing Mengino with a much needed Health Care Center.