Friday 18 December 2015
The Weekend Sun
14
Generosity could win a rewarding trip “There is a lack of knowledge around simple Vanuatu is still struggling to recover from All donations above $25 made to preventative first aid, such as washing hands after the Equip Vanuatu Charitable Cyclone Pam that slammed into the tropical going to the toilet, brushing your teeth properly, Trust go into the draw to win a paradise last March. and how to clean, and keep clean, wounds.” place on one of four volunteer
But for Tauranga philanthropist teenager Courtney Price, from the Equip Vanuatu Charitable Trust, the side effects of that devastating natural disaster are not what brings a tear to her eye. “It’s the day-to-day issues the people deal with; issues and resolutions we take for granted, that are heart-breaking,” says the 19-year-old trainee teacher, who made headlines earlier in the year when she went missing for several days after the cyclone hit.
“It gets to a point where it’s really, really trips in 2016 overing airfares horrible, dangerous, and sickly, but it could have and fees, to help in the urban been prevented,” says Courtney. community of Ohlen Mataso, She recalls a little boy who had a gash on his leg just outside of Port Vila. from iron blown off a building during Cyclone Pam. “It had never been cleaned properly and because it was infected it was itchy, so he was scratching it with a stick and opening it up over and over again.” Another case was even more emotionally draining for Courtney. “There was a little girl with such a bad infestation of lice she had big open septic wounds all over her head. “We asked the Mum if I could take her to the hospital, because she needed more help that I could give her out of my first aid kit.” There was a bit of toing and froing but eventually the mother agreed. She’s aware some people cannot afford the cost of joining a “I was paying for the bill, which was the volunteer trip, so the Trust is giving away one place on one of this equivalent of about NZ$5, and the Mum started sobbing. year’s trips (airfares and volunteer fee included, trip subject to “I thought we had missed something, but it was just that she was availability. the first child in that community to ever be able to go to hospital. To enter, simply make a donation of $25 or more by December “The $5 dollars and the $3 bus fare, was an amount of money so 20 into the Equip Vanuatu Charitable Trust account 06-0491far beyond their means they couldn’t contemplate it.” 0200698-00 and use your name and phone number as a reference. Courtney is organising four volunteer trips for 2016 - on January Karolyn Timarkos 2-10, April 23-May 1, July 9-17 and October 1-9.
Councillors out and about
The last council meeting for 2015 was held this week. The main topic of discussion was the proposed sale of Smiths Farm. More than 216 submissions were received during the consultation process. Elected members have been out and about attending The Phoenix green space consultation, visiting a resident over a silver birch tree, Arataki Community Centre and tour of Baycourt Theatre. Just to remind you: Consultation, regarding the proposed sale of a portion of land at the Historic Village, closes at the end of January 2016. There is a lot on offer during the Christmas/New Year break including a New Year Eve’s fireworks sausage sizzle and barbecue on The Strand. See the council website for further information. There will be a council-supported “hub” over at the Mount Main Beach, near Mount Drury, until January 11, 2016. I wish you all the best for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – safe holidays. Council meetings recommence at the end of January with council’s Annual Plan being the major focus.