IT’S a story that had touched many people in different ways, some in small ways, others, in a bigger way.
Difficulties, frustrations and long hours trying to connect the human dots that could make things happen – initially stood in the way.
It’s been a journey filled with a bundle of procrastination.
At times, the temptation to quit, to walk away, was irresistible.
The story began around June last year. Initially, it involved two people. They had never met before except on the internet.
They live in two different countries and led different lives, Frank Short, former police commissioner and Janette Searle of the charitable trust, ‘Take My Hands.’
One thing brought them together: the needs of the National Referral Hospital where even the most basic medical equipment was lacking.
That need forged a common bond to help people in the Solomon Islands they will probably never meet.
It’s the story of gifted items valued at more than SBD138, 000, sourced and secured for the National Referral Hospital by the Auckland-based Take-My-Hands charitable organisation.
Sourcing the beds and mattresses was the easier part of it.
Freighting and associated costs were almost prohibitive. Solomon Forests Association (SFA) stepped in, forking out the entire cost and more.
On arrival in Honiara, there was another hurdle, again to do with money. Initially, the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) was reluctant to release the 40-foot container unless handling and storage charges were paid for.
A phone call by its Chairman, former MP Nollen Leni, cleared the final hurdle and the container finally left Point Cruz wharf, six weeks after it arrived on 2nd October this year.
In the container were 48 near-new beds and mattresses and other items of medical equipment. These have now been put to good use at the National Referral Hospital.
These beds with wheels and collapsible side rails have been shared amongst the Wards at the Hospital – some at the Paediatric (Children’s) Ward, others at the Medical Ward and elsewhere in the hospital.
It was a drop in the ocean, given the needs of the National Referral Hospital, for such items. But staff acknowledged the 48 beds and mattresses was a good start.
“These beds have made our work a lot easier in terms of moving patients around,” one nurse told me as I walked into the Paediatric Ward to take photographs of the beds.
Patients’ safety is another important feature of the new beds, especially for children and those who are very sick.
Because of the safety rails, it means the beds could be locked to stop patients rolling over the sides.
“It makes our work so much easier. This is the right type of beds we need here. We need more,” the nurse said.
In a way it is a boost to the sagging morale of the Ward staff, who had to contend with beds that had been in use for many, many years.
Just to see young mothers with their infants in the new beds was indeed a joy in the same way older patients in the Medical Ward reacted to my visit on Monday.
These were the very people who knew little or nothing at all about the amount of work that went on behind the scene.
To see them enjoy the outcome of someone’s hard work, frustrations and the amount of procrastination they had to endure was worth the trouble.
But the story did not end there.
Sofrano, perhaps the largest shipping company in the world, has also made a huge contribution in transporting the first 40-foot container from New Zealand at discounted rate. It is willing to do more if these gifted items are being put to good use.
Take-My-Hands is now preparing two more containers of gifted items for the Provincial Hospitals, Women’s Community Centres the SIDT and people with some form of disabilities at the request of Frank Short.
It’s a story whose journey is punctuated with frustrations, procrastination and endless emails.
In the end, it all came together, culminated in a story worth telling. Humanity’s connectivity has and can do a whole lot more if everyone bands together.
The story of gifted items from New Zealand’s charitable organisation, Take-My-Hands, is one.
It is a story that should move us all to do more for those who cannot help themselves.
A Merry Christmas to All!
– By Alfred Sasako
