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 This is a photo gallery associated with a feature in TCP # 22 called Hospital Ship. The story is about the voyage of the Australian Vessel ACROPORA crewed by Sally and Martin Peet. They went for a south Pacific cruise, as you do, and discovered a great need in Vanuatu for health care persons in particular and just willing hands in general. Sally is a nurse and Martin an engineer, both occupations of need. When discussing this story and trying to understand the photos I was knocked down by the compelling stories behind so many of the pics. Tolerance, generousity, rape and incest. Too much to do justice to in this paper. Suffice to say that your own adventure awaits should you be up to this challenge. There is so much more. Below is the epilogue for the story that Sally wrote. For your free copy of TCP # 22 including this story, Click Here.

"It is a strange feeling to be reclining in cushions sipping a macchiato, pondering on the time spent in Vanuatu. Somehow my life has changed forever. Those "things" I used to throw away, now have a value to someone. The question is "HOW".
Millions of dollars are donated by Government and private organizations to the Ni Van people but believe me, one days sail from the capitol of Port Vila, there is no evidence of it filtering through to the desperate areas in immense need of medicine, schooling, and organizational skills of all kinds. A great system, already realized by Project Marc, is fulfilled by the Australian cruising yachts. Here is a huge resource able to gain access to remote areas for delivery of goods and ferrying medical and volunteer teams. We witnessed yachties using their expertise setting up water systems, building masts, teaching locals to sail as well as the relentless fixing of outboards, solar panels and rendering first aid.
In one day 3 Aussie yachts assisted me in the treatment of 147 patients that had came from villages miles away to get medical assistance usually denied to them. None of these sailors had medical training but their care and attention was inspiring.
We were very impressed by Project Marc. They passed no judgment on the locals, their vision is to set up Clinics, train local Health workers and then pass these back to the Vanuatu Government for independent management. It was a great venue to educate in areas of hygiene, preventative medicine, reduce domestic violence and set up independent living skills focussing on their own custom and village practices.
For more information if you think that you and your yacht could give something to these beautiful people, have a look at http://www.project-marc.org/ or email Henk, the Director at meuzelaar@comcast.net
Believe me, this opportunity will open your mind and hearts to the cruising life."

 

 Welcome to Vanuatu the signs says
 

 

 The vessel "Flying Angel" major transport and ferry
 
 instructing the locals in basic health treatment
 
 

 

 The Clinic
 
 

 People showing up for the clinic
 
 
 
 
 

 And some entertainment as well... dancing music!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 This little girl with the crippled leg became a favourite.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 This baby delivered at the clinic and named "Sally" a great honour for Sally Peet. One day old here.

 

 
 Above and below... on the way to work.
 

 Below are photos of the men making the KAVA, the abused intoxicant that may be a serious health and social threat to these islands.
 
 
 
 
 

 The following shots , I believe, are those obtained when a local borrowed the camera and went around photographing people in the village as they were going about normal daily routine. A glimpse of village life.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The above photo is one of my favourites... Below, the camera back and snapped a shot of action on the Flying Angel.
 
 
 Alice, a person of importance in the village, the "den mother."
 
 Relaxing with a video after a days work.
 There are bound to be errors in the labeling or organisation of the photos in this gallery, my apologies in advance. Corrections are invited but in spite of that I hope one can come to grips in a small way at least, with the scope of this adventure.
 

 Sally and Martin of Acropora