It’s been a big week in Paradise, as Richard Tatwin, Barry Stewart, Morinda Kalmar, Bob Natuman, Mike Clarke and Rob Latimer continue the oral health work of Medical Sailing Ministries – in partnership with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health and PCV Health (Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu health program).

Our energy is now focused on finding ways to expand the “Gudfala Tut Skul Projek” (tr: Good Teeth School Project) which we have been successfully operating at Vila Central School over the past 20 weeks.

The Gudfala Tut Skul Projek empowers and resources teachers to conduct supervised brushing of teeth each morning at school, as well as parents and guardians to do the same at night; spreading the message to siblings and adults alike that daily brushing of teeth is for everyone.

The program also involves the manufacture of our own toothpaste in Mint, Tropical and Bubblegum flavours, using a base of coconut oil, to help make the program as sustainable as possible.

And as the poster reminds us all … Brush Well … Eat Well … Drink Well …

Greetings,

See below for all the latest on becoming a part of our Medical and Dental teams for 2015 and read more about what we do here:

http://msm.org.au/2015-mission/vanuatu-dental-care-services/

Have a read of the December 2014 Member Update and the latest article in  2015 January Cruising Helmsman magazine.

Read Rob’s latest article in the June edition of Cruising Helmsman magazine.
You can also download the May 2013 edition of the Member Update.

It took 12 years, but in 2002 at the age of 52 country builder Barry was fully qualified as a doctor and an Australian Registered obstetrics specialist.

Barry’s father spoke little of his time fighting the Japanese in PNG during the second world war, but he did relate the wonderful care and treatment the troops received at the hands of the local Melanesians.  This no doubt sowed the seed that would grow into young Barry’s total immersion into the world of PNG and his plan to now acquire a sea plane so he can deliver an even better medical service to the remote and far flung islands.

I’ve attached a great article from a recent Weekend Australian Magazine.  A real inspiration and an example of where life can lead us when we follow those unexplained messages and callings of the mind and spirit.