Rotary Renovations at Kokoda

Three Australian volunteers from Rotary Taree in northern New South Wales ensured a merry Christmas for Kokoda Memorial Hospital with the start of a renovations program during December.

Husband and wife team, Robert and Alison Keene, and University student Shaun Gessler, have been working with local carpenters and college students, painting, replacing flooring and installing new patient seating to transform the Paediatrics Ward and Maternal Child Health area.

Kokoda District Health Centre Acting Officer in Charge, Leon Sime, said the improvements to the maternal health area such as the antenatal and family planning room have been essential.

“More recently, village health workers have been encouraging and referring mothers to the clinic. With the influx of mothers we need better facilities,” said Mr Sime.

Mr Sime has assisted Rotary in coordinating construction and community participation from the beginning.

“There is good community support and big respect for the ongoing Rotary commitment to Kokoda,” he said.

Since its establishment in 1995 the Kokoda Memorial Hospital has welcomed the helping hands of over 300 Rotarians and local volunteers.

Current volunteer Shaun Gessler is the grandson of legendary Rotarian Bob Young, who has coordinated construction programs for the hospital since its establishment, having visited more than twenty times.

Shaun remembers Rotarians staying at the family home before and after projects.

“They came back with great stories, which really sparked my interest,” he said.

Shaun, who is studying anthropology and psychology, visited Kokoda four years ago and was looking forward to reuniting with old friends.

“We formed really strong bonds.  The college students I met the last time are qualified tradesmen now.”

Seventy-three year old Robert Keene, who has been a builder for over 30 years, has ‘always had a hammer in my hand’.

He has returned to Kokoda more than eight times and was eager to get wife Alison involved as ‘building supervisor’.

The renovation project is helping build community ownership through the employment of local tradesmen as well as students from the local technical college.

“The vocational kids do most of the work, we just help educate and get people involved,” Robert said.

“The role is not so much about building, but to inspire the kids.”

Construction efforts exceeded the expectations of both the community and Rotary volunteers, although many challenges were experienced.

“We had limited tools and resources,” Alice explains, “We would have liked to have chosen the quality of wood and colour of paint but we had to use what was there.”

“There was also a bit of a communication barrier, especially explaining technical information to the students who didn’t have prior experience,” Shaun said.

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience, working with the local students and learning about their culture and family life.”

A second Rotary team will continue renovations at the Hospital in February 2010.

Building materials and supplies have been financed by the Australian Government through the Kokoda Development Program, with staff and support provided by the Papua New Guinea Government.

Rotary Taree will also raise money to build staff housing for the Hospital.

 

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