MERRY CHRISTMAS
Greetings and Merry Christmas from Medical Sailing Ministries Inc. (MSM) and welcome to the latest Member Update.
This is our first newsletter for some time, but more regular news can be found at the Facebook pages of GUDFALA TUT and MSM
As many people will know, Vanuatu’s borders are now open, and in September, after a break of more than two-years, Rob and Mike returned for a 2-week working visit
It really was encouraging to catch up with all our long-standing friends and oral health colleagues. And to see firsthand how the Gudfala Tut Skul Program (pr Good-falla Toot Skool) is expanding and being managed on the ground.
It's also encouraging to see the involvement of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in supporting the Gudfala Tut brushing program, as they embark on a new push to recognise and address the impact of poor oral health around the world.
Gudfala Tut is being viewed by the WHO as a "model" program, that could potentially be introduced into other countries
A key part of that support is the employment of a local oral health coordinator, Dr Evatt Ala, for a 12-month period, (now extend for a further 12 months) to coordinate the implementation of the Gudfala Tut Skul Program, plus other oral health initiatives
Congratulations to everyone for your hard work, persistence and resilience, in the face of the tremendous challenges thrown up by COVID lockdowns and restrictions.
Despite everything, Gudfala Tut has been expanding and now involves around 4,000 children brushing their teeth each day – in around 50-60 kindies and schools, PLUS, a further 12,000 to 15,000 direct family members.
As an aside, if you happen to be planning a future holiday why not consider spending a week or two in Vanuatu. The people are as welcoming and friendly as ever. Their economy could do with a boost and you might even be able to visit
a participating Gudfala Tut kindy or school and meet some inspiring, dedicated oral health workers.
In addition, it’s been great to have the involvement of the World Health Organisation (WHO) through their employment of an Oral Health Coordinator; to manage the Gudfala Tut Skul Program and the implementation of “Gudfala Smile”, nurse training pilot program.
Thank you for your interest and support! Merry Christmas, and as they say in Vanuatu … Lukim Yu, and Tank Yu Tumas
Rob Latimer & Mike Clarkewww.msm.org.au/gudfala-tut
msmvanuatu@gmail.com
WHERE CAN WE GET IT?
With the Gudfala Tut Skul Program currently limited to kindy and grade 1 classes, the natural question from the parents and teachers arises when the children enter grade 2 … “Where can we buy the toothpaste to continue brushing at home??” because the children absolutely love the bubble-gum flavour and the pink colour
As a result, we have acquired two new mixing machines to ramp up production, (in Port Vila) and have met with the Vanuatu Department of Trade to obtain the “Made in Vanuatu” accreditation. This will help in a range of areas including import duty exemptions and promotion, which will open the door to even bigger potential markets; including cruise ships, tour companies, and other retail outlets. Our initial plan, however, is to sell the toothpaste through Kindies and schools, which will enable them to also benefit financially from the arrangement.
on-the-ground feedback from the principal of the Coolidge Preschool in Luganville, Santo, about the effectiveness of the supervised brushing-of-teeth program called Gudfala Tut Skul
ABOVE: After more than two years, Mike and Rob finally made it back to Vanuatu in September. It was great to meet up with our friends and colleagues, including Dr Julienne (in the blue shirt) and Lylon, at the Northern Hosp. Luganville.
TOOTH BUDDIES PROVES ITS POTENTIAL
For the cost of just three cappuccinos, around $12, one child can participate in the Gudfala Tut Skul Program for a whole year.
GUDFALA SMILE
(pr Good-falla Smile)
Recognising that “Prevention is better than cure” we have long believed that when it comes to oral health, it is important to intervene as early as possible – ideally in the 0-4 age group.
Given the geographic hurdles faced by Vanuatu, along with a lack of qualified oral health professionals, the training of existing registered nurses, in oral health, particularly those involved with maternal care, seemed to be the best “point of entry”.
Enter … the “Gudfala Smile Nurse Training Program”
Based on the Northern Territory’s “Healthy Smiles” training program, Gudfala Smile has been modified with kind permission, and after a mammoth amount of work, by MSM dental consultant, Dr Barry Stewart
Translated into Bislama, the course will be trialled over the next six months, with a view to it then being rolled out more widely in the future.
A massive THANK YOU to the five dental-related businesses that have already signed up as “TOOTH BUDDY” sponsors, raising around $6,000 to enable 500 children to continue participating in the Gudfala Tut Program for a further 12 months. In addition, it’s been fantastic to have Brisbane couple Peter and Miriam Handsworth (plus their 6-year-old daughter Clara) assisting with the expansion of the program, this year, aboard their yacht Tehani Li. Through their school, church and friendship networks, the Handsworths recruited a further 20 Tooth Buddy supporters, raising around $8,000. This enabled them, in association with our local Vanuatu colleagues, to implement Gudfala Tut in 10 remote schools on the west coast of the island of Ambae. This is really exciting, proving the potential of the Tooth Buddies concept in helping to fund the expansion of the Gudfala Tut program.
LEFT: Miriam with Alice from Ndui Ndui Primary School (W.Ambae) and Mdme Nadia Kanegai (R)
RIGHT: Children everywhere seem to value the opportunity to clean their teeth
BELOW: Tehani Li at anchor Devils Point W.Ambae plus Peter, Miriam and Clara waving goodbye on departure from Brisbane
BY WAY OF BACKGROUND …
Medical Sailing Ministries Inc. is an Australian registered, health promoting charity (with tax deductible status) with a focus on supporting the supervised, daily tooth brushing program in Vanuatu called Gudfala Tut Skul (pr Goodfella Toot Skool)
The program is operated in partnership with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health and the Vanuatu-based organisation PCV Health CLICK the image at right to learn more about the Gudfala Tut Skul Program
DONATE NOW
msmvanuatu@gmail.com www.msm.org.au/gudfala-tut
A big thank you to the NT Govt. Health Dept for permission to modify their Healthy Smiles program for the Vanuatu context. And also to Dr Barry Stewart for his tireless efforts in bringing the Gudfala Smile program to fruition.
To make a donation, use the bank details below: ANZ Ringwood – Medical Sailing Ministries Inc. A/c, BSB: 013 403 A/c No.: 313809003 (For international transactions, ANZ SWIFT code, sometimes called an “IBAN” is ANZBAU3M (To receive your tax-deductible receipt, please include your name on the bank transfer, and flick an email to toothbuddies@gmail.com with your contact details.)
ABOVE: Click the image above to hear
Dr Barry Stewart