Medical Sailing Ministries Mission 4 Update

15th and 16th September 2017

The internet and Digicel coverage is very patchy and so I am not receiving regular updates from Annette. When there was limited coverage these photos I received over the weekend.

The island of  Merelava looming out of the cloud, after a fairly rough crossing from Maewo.  3 to 4 metre swells. Merelava Island is a volcanic island that rises straight out of the sea, so there is no level beach, the island starts going up from the sea edge.

The island is steep as can be seen by this photo of the shoreline.

On shore and walking up to the village, as can be seen beyond the walkers the path goes up steeply

Village photos at Tasmat, so there is some flat land

St Stephen Anglican Church Tasmat.

Again spectators gathered around the site for the Oral Health Survey building.

Dental Assistant Parkon and Dentist Wellan showing the Australians and Kiwi how to crack nangae nuts. Tasmat Village Merelava

Children with their new tooth brushes after a information session with Bob, who is not in this photo. Dentist Wellan is seated with the children, and Richard Tatwin (PCV Health Manager) on the right, looks like his thoughts are a long way away.

And then there are always the pikinini  (Bislama for young children) . Here Deb Allen (from Australia) cuddles a wee one.