Solomon Islands District
NEWSLETTER September 2022 Volume 5, Issue 9
USNS Mercy Visit to Solomon Islands During September, the US Navy Mercy Hospital Ship visited Honiara as a part of their Pacific Partnership program to provide medical care and humanitarian assistance to the people of Solomon Islands. Prior to its arrival, Ensign Tony Garcia from the US Navy met with the District Officers and Aux Capt Wency Ramo’oroa to discuss possible mission engagement with The Salvation Army. This meeting set up opportunities for the crew from the Mercy Ship to visit The Salvation Army Learning Spaces at Burns Creek and Town Ground, as well as provided a connection with Honiara Integrated Primary School where Honiara Corps is engaged in Schools Ministry. The timing of this program was during the District Officers’ furlough, which elevated Aux Capt Wency to the primary liaison person for The Salvation Army, providing him with a number of new leadership experiences, which included representing Majors Robert and Vanessa at the official opening ceremony and dinner of the Pacific Partnership 2022 program. After the program, Aux Capt Wency and Fostina received an invitation to attend the closing ceremony onboard the USNS
Mercy, which was an extraordinary experience for them both. They were amazed by how big and well-equipped the ship is, housing intensive care wards (80 beds), recovery wards (20 beds), intermediate care wards (280 beds), light care wards (120 beds), limited care wards (500 beds), with a total patient capacity of 1000 beds and 12 operating rooms. Solomon Business Magazine reported the full scope of the mission to Solomon Islands,
“Commander and Director of Surgical Services, Sara Gonzalez said that some of the highlights of accomplishments during their two weeks in Solomon Islands include, conducting more than 6,000 medical occasions, distribution of more than 1,000 pair of eye glasses, examining approximately 80 animals, performing more than 50 surgeries, providing more than 1,500 dental exams, delivering a three day workshop on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and working on the renovation of the National Referral Hospital. “ Aux Capt Fostina stated that it was a rare privilege for her to be invited to such an event and she is grateful to be part of an international movement that gave her such an opportunity. She said she was very nervous to be among people of high rank and status but enjoyed the interaction. Aux Capt Wency also really enjoyed interacting with the navy personnel and took the opportunity to talk about The Salvation Army mission and ministry in the Solomon Islands, especially its disaster relief and community services. Both Aux Capt Wency and Fostina appreciated being involved in this unique mission to the Solomon Islands.
Inside this issue:
Waverley Temple Corps Home League
2
International Literacy Day
2
16 Days of Activism Planning Workshop
2
IOM Project Launch
3
Gateway Corps 3 Interdenominational Mission Beyond the Dark
3
Personal Reflection
4
Special points of interest: Guest Speaker US Navy Mission Gender-Based Violence Social Justice Local Ecumenism Human Trafficking