Paradise in need of Repair

NEWSLETTERS Newsletter #1-May 2006 Newsletter #2-July 2006 Newsletter #3-November 2006 Newsletter #4-April 2007 Newsletter #5-December 2007 Newsletter #6-March 2008 Newsletter #7-October 2008

April 2007 TSUNAMI UPDATE 20 April 2007 24 April 2007 25 April 2008

WELCOME - FRIENDS OF HELENA GOLDIE HOSPITAL

Plaque displayed inside hospital

This is the first Newsletter to be produced under the banner of an informal organisation to be known as the FRIENDS OF HELENA GOLDIE HOSPITAL. Distribution will be by email as far as possible, but by post where necessary. As the Project proceeds it is planned to have current information on a website. We will be glad to send the newsletter to anyone interested in the Project. Please let us know the relevant name, address or email. Even if you have no spare funds, no relevant skills and no equipment to donate we are still glad to have you as a Friend of Helena Goldie Hospital. Even before major publicity Rotary Club of Burnside has received messages of interest and support from many sources. Rotarians from Clubs in Queensland, NSW, SA and Victoria have spoken enthusiastically of their previous experience in Munda and offered their help.

We are also aware of Clubs in New Zealand and USA in the same category. Strong support for the project has been given by Zonta Clubs in Adelaide. .Some modern hospital equipment has been identified and awaits transport to Munda. Funds have been made available for professional development of nurses and midwives. Many individuals have shown interest in the project and asked to be kept informed.

CHALLENGES TO BE FACED

As time passes we are increasingly aware of the Challenges that confront the successful completion of the project.

COOPERATION

We are aware of several parties in the Solomon Islands which have an interest in the effective operation of the Helena Goldie Hospital. These include the Central Government, the United Church, the local Community, and the Hospital authorities both medical and administrative. A working understanding with each of these needs to be established.

In particular we need to reach a satisfactory working relationship with local tradesmen and suppliers. Both RAWCS and AusAID rightly emphasise the need to include a significant training component in projects such as this one.

DISTANCE The Solomon Islands lie 3000km from Adelaide - a similar distance as Perth to Sydney. All traffic passes through the capital, Honiara and Munda is a further 90 minutes away by air. WEATHER The long wet season will inevitably affect plans for successful completion of the project. COORDINATION In addition to the need for a co-operative effort at Munda there is a similar need for coordination of effort at this end. We are establishing a Board of Management with appropriate financial, managerial and legal skills. Rotarian Past President John Caddy has carried the burden of developing the project thus far and is prepared to offer his expertise and time to act as Project Manager.

Sign Outside Hospital

The Board may recruit members from those skilled Rotarians with Solomon Islands or PNG experience who have shown an interest and support.

COMMUNICATION

The need for accurate communication between participants in such a project is well recognised but still a significant challenge. This will be all the greater if Board members are recruited from Interstate.

CONTINUITY

The project is planned to occur in stages over the next 5 years. While the staged approach is necessary it carries the danger of loss of momentum.

SKILLS

We will always be interested if you have particular skills to offer but please be patient if your offer is not taken up immediately.

EQUIPMENT

We have discovered that hospital equipment is relatively easily obtainable and much of it is already stored in Donations In Kind (DIK) depots in Adelaide and Brisbane. Please do not be offended if an offer of equipment is not immediately accepted. On the other hand some equipment is desperately needed and will be accepted readily. Most equipment will need to be fully serviced and may need technical information, support and a maintenance program if it is to be effective when used locally.

FUNDS

The project has a substantial budget and we have been encouraged to seek financial support from various sources including the Rotary Foundation, Humanitarian Grants and elsewhere. In the meantime the Project needs to accumulate a substantial sum both as evidence of our commitment and to attract matching grants. As a recognized RAWCS project it already attracts Tax Deductibility and all donations should be identified as going to the Helena Goldie Hospital Program.

POLITICS

In spite of the recent upheaval in Honiara, Munda remains peaceful. We are assured that the project will only suffer minor delays.