Some of our members cruised recently to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands on board the Pacific Eden. The cruisers were Merv and Ann, Gerry and Jan, Judy, Sue, and Bernie. It was a personal cruise but had a Rotary flavour.
Our reporter Sue described the trip as a "wonderful experience". Read on for her report of the Rotary experiences. Of course, what else happens on cruise stays on board!
Sue's report
I have recently completed a 10-day cruise with fellow Rotarians some of whom have attended working bees at different locations prior to this visit in their Rotarian years.
Our ports were Alotau, Papua New Guinea, Kitaya, Rabaul, Gizo, Solomon Islands & Guadacanal Solomon Islands
I personally have to say a very big Thank you to Anne & Merv Paddison who organized prior to our cruise with fellow Rotarians, at different ports to collect the seven of us, drive us around visiting the schools, Clinics & Hospitals where we were able to distribute Birthing kits, exercise books, pencils, sharpeners soccer balls and pumps.
We were picked up by fellow Rotarian Tony at Rabaul, our first visit was to Nonaga Hospital, where we delivered birthing kits and some books & pencils, we were then driven to the Hot springs then to the College where Tony is a Lecturer. A block of class rooms had been burnt the week before, Tony showed us the Library, which was in desperate need of any books to teach the students. Many thanks to Tony and the hospital for the use of their bus – Tony has been on a few occasions to our Rotarian seminars in Australia.
Our next wonderful day was spent with Ulanta and her husband who greeted us with a lovely sun visor made of reeds covered in orchard flowers, unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take them on the ship with us. Our thanks to Danny & Kerry who also organised the transport.
We were driven out to visit Ngaari School – West Province Gizo.
A wonderful gesture was when we arrived at Danny & Kerry’s Dive shop a young gentleman was there waiting for us, who was the eldest son of the Head Teacher from the school when Merv & Anne had been there before, his name was Edward and was now a Journalist for the local paper.
This school was where a few of our Rotarians had previously worked installing water tanks and cementing the floor in a classroom. The teachers & families provided us with the famous tuna sandwiches, which were delicious. We distributed the exercise books, pencils & soccer balls to the children.
The visit to the hospital was impressive, lovely big building unfortunately not provided by the Rotarians this was our last drop off with the birthing kits.
Our next port we were greeted by the President of the Rotary Club, where we were driven around & visited the war memorial and told about RAMS - Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands 2003-20017.
It has been a wonderful experience – My travelling companions contributed to this wonderful holiday – thank you.
I would really like to emphasise from my personal observation Education seems to be the key!