Woman to Woman! Help The Maternity Hospital please!

As I arrived, I met a lovely older woman, sitting in the hot sun, her reasons for doing so written on cardboard signs beside her. Once I started to chat, I was appalled at the huge need for help.

The woman, Chrissy Lockwood-Lyles, and her husband, moved from Turramurra in NSW to Port Vila. After being badly injured in the aftermath of the cyclones around 7 years ago in Vanuatu, Chrissy was only given a few hours to live. She experienced the care of Vila hospital staff, who despite having very outdated equipment and limited facilities, kept her alive to tell her story today.

Since her recovery, Chrissy has dedicated her life to raising money for the upgrading of the hospital facilities.

I talked with her about the possibility of my volunteering in the future, even though I am not a nurse, and they are always happy for help. Trained hospital staff are extremely welcome to share skills, 2 days or 2 weeks...everything is gratefully accepted. Accommodation is often available for those who would like to donate some time.

So, I would like to be able to go back to Port Vila, with an extra suitcase each, and take some of the following much needed items off Chrissy's list:

Any Maternity equipment. Linen, clothes, creams, nappies, etc.

Sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, curtains, uniforms and gowns, esp large size.

In-date medicines and tablets.

Bandages, band-aids, scissors, wooden spatulas, safety pins, etc.

any cleaning supplies, cloths detergents, soaps, mops/buckets.

I have also written to 5 large medical supply companies, in the hope they may donate anything from a tongue depresser to gloves to smaller surgical equipment. Fingers crossed!