MSM Mission 2013
Greetings and welcome!!
Medical Sailing Ministries (MSM) strives to meet the challenge of … taking medical services to where they are needed most … in our case, using what we have and know – yachts. It’s a humanitarian venture, built around showing love and compassion to those in need.
After earlier missions in 2009 and 2010, the 2013 Mission is now underway between June and October.
Leaving from Melbourne we will make a brief stop in Sydney before embarking on the 2 week voyage across the Tasman to Pt Vila. Then, over the course of the next three months transport and logistical support will be provided to medical teams from the Vanuatu Dental Care Service and the Vanuatu Prevention of Blindness Project amongst some of the most remote regions of the island chain.
Upwards of 20 Volunteer sailors will assist, with a crew of at least 5 being maintained aboard at all times.
The medical teams comprise both indigenous (Ni-van) healthcare workers and Australian volunteer medical professionals in fields of dentistry, optometry and general medical care. Training of local Healthcare Workers and the building of capacity and resources on the ground in Vanuatu, are key aspects of their work.
Whilst Medical Sailing Ministries (MSM) is largely funded through private donations and the owners of the boat, the groups being assisted (ie the Vanuatu Dental Care Service and the Vanuatu Prevention of Blindness Project) function through a partnership of committed organisations, including the Uniting Church of Australia, the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, Rotary, AusAID and the Government of Vanuatu.
We sincerely welcome your involvement and invite you to look through the videos, photos, Ship’s Log and other resources on this website to learn more of our work.
You might also like to follow the mission as it unfolds throughout the year. Your comments, questions and donations are always welcome.
Thank you for your interest and support.
Robert Latimer, Barry Crouch and Mike Clarke
MSM Coordinators
Greetings,
As we work towards heading off to Vanuatu again this year, many people have expressed an interest in volunteering – both on the sailing and on the medical front.
I’ve been promising for some time a 2013 MSM Vanuatu Mission Manual and here tis – at least the latest draft.
If your involvement with MSM is as a supporter, then you will no doubt find the attached manual of interest, and be assured, I’m not expecting you to sign aboard or be pressed into service. We really value your encouragement and interest.
But if you have expressed interest in volunteering, or have been getting around to it, then I’d really appreciate hearing from you again … soon.
As you’d appreciate there are flights to book, things to buy and plans to finalise and the sooner we can do this the better.
If your initials happen to appear in the table on page 13 and you are still not sure whether you are available, don’t be alarmed … it was probably wishful thinking on my part and all you have to do is get back to me to confirm either way.
If you don’t think you can make it for a full 30 day mission, then we’d really like to hear from you if you are a sailor and the 2 week voyage there and/or back is more your thing.
If you are not in the habit of checking or responding to emails regularly, (and you know who you are) it would be really great if you could establish and maintain prompt communication, at least over the next few months, especially if you are interested in volunteering. The spaces aboard will be filled as confirmation is received, ensuring of course that a suitable mix of skills and experience is achieved in each team. In addition, information will be sent out regularly, much of which will be of a timely manner and I need to be sure it’s been received and in many cases acted on.
As many would now be aware, we have deferred the departure of Chimere from Westernport until 1 June in order to complete all improvements and maintenance, with the three medical missions now being in July, August and September.
In closing, we are intending to promote a 9 day Vanuatu “Supporters Tour” in the first week of October, which will give everyone a chance to experience time aboard Chimere, plus a village-life tour, while enjoying Melanesian hospitality and quality onshore hotel accommodation. Keep it in mind, maybe even write it in the diary now. We’ll be sending more information out in due course.
Thank you again for your ongoing interest and encouragement and we always welcome your feed-back and comments
Smooth seas, fair breeze and … countdown to departure…
Rob Latimer, Barry Crouch and Mike Clarke
Medical Sailing Ministries