About AHS

Last Newsletter (pg.6)

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Aitape

It is now more than 6 years since the Tsunami (tidal wave ) killed 2200 people in Aitape, as well as injuring many others, and destroying their homes, schools and health facilities.

We made our final visit to Aitape in October, where we were kindly accommodated again by Bp Austin. On this occasion we followed up on the following projects funded by Anglican congregations overseas:-

  1. Aipokon School library
  2. The CODE centre at Malol and the new site at Waipom, where a building is to be constructed to extend the programme. Sr Margaret Conway has 150 keen students at Malol, who are getting a second chance at improving their education. She is also training 5-6 PNG helpers, 2 of whom we hope to sponsor for teacher training.
  3. The Amputee’s Trust has been providing replacement limbs and other forms of support to the 10, mainly young, amputees. They have been supported both physically and socially by a VSO physiotherapist, Erika Adrain from Canada.
  4. We also discussed the possibility of funding a double classroom at Barapu. This would reinforce our relationship with this community as we built their new aidpost and provided them with a radio for communicating with the hospital.
Koinambe

On our return trip, we flew into Koinambe from Madang. It was a real delight to see all of the improvements there. When we first visited, 8 years ago, the outpatients’ building was disintegrating from white ants and the roof was precariously held up with sticks and had to be demolished. The buildings generally had a dark and gloomy air.

Now, the outpatients’ department has been rebuilt and has an air of activity, the ward has been cubicalised to give patients more privacy. There is also running water and electricity from our newly constructed hydroelectric system.

We received many thanks while we were there and beautifully coloured bilums, and a special spear from Fr Nicholas, which was offloaded by Air Niugini, but sent on a later flight after an assurance that it was a “special gift” and not a “weapon”.

Water Programme

As stated above the hydroelectric system at Koinambe is now completed and operational. Funds were provided jointly by the Australian High Commission, AHS and the Provincial Government.

With the help of Brecht, our Water Systems’ Officer, the Tsendiap community is busy constructing their new water system. This is funded by the Garamut Trust Fund and will serve the health centre, Kerina Catechists College, community school and local community.

The materials have been ordered for the next project at Waim, funded by the AusAID Community Development Scheme. While we are waiting for these to arrive, Brecht is running maintenance workshops for the 4 villages in the Siane District, in which we have installed water systems.

Peter attended a meeting with the European Union in September at which it was announced that Euro 25 million (K100m) would be available for village water supplies, commencing in 2006. As AHS now has a proven track record, we would be eligible to apply for these funds.

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