We’re deeply grateful for your help in safely delivering 11 large duffle bags of essential donations to Kiriwina, arriving on 18 August. Your kindness has meant a great deal to our community.
As this is Carnival’s final cruise to Kiriwina, we also sincerely thank you for all you have done over time to help transport much-needed goods. We would especially like to thank Lynne Scrivens and Mira Kovacevic from Carnival Cruise Line for their support.
We’re also grateful to the passengers who have donated to our charity over the years.
Our CFK dispatch officer, Nason Mark, and support staff will be waiting at the dock on Kiriwina to receive the donations safely.
Please do not hand donations to anyone else claiming to be from Caring for Kiriwina.
We continue to support the call for the reinstatement of airport facilities on the island so essential goods and services can reach the community more reliably in future.
Thank you, Alan, from Direct Couriers, for taking the 11 bags to the shipThank you, Priceline Chemist Balgowlah, and our wonderful liaison Edwina11 bags of donations on their way
The Caring for Kiriwina Village Birth Attendant (VBA) Program reached an exciting milestone with the successful holding of its third Monthly Field Level Support Team (FLST) Coordinators and Team Representatives Meeting on Thursday, 30 July 2026 at the CFK Office, Losuia Health Centre, Kiriwina Island.
Originally planned for 3 August 2026, the meeting was brought forward to take advantage of the visit of the Kula Circuit FLST Coordinator, who had travelled from the outer islands. It was a valuable opportunity for the team to connect in person for the first time and strengthen collaboration across the program.
Representatives from circuits across Kiriwina attended the meeting, including Fellows, Kaileuna, Kilivila 1, Kilivila 2, Kuboma 1, Kuboma 2, Kula, Luba 1, Luba 2, Simla, and Yeiwau. Their participation reflects the growing strength and unity of the VBA network, with all circuits now having identified their FLST Coordinators and Team Representatives.
This marks another important milestone for the Caring for Kiriwina VBA Program. With local leadership now established across all circuits, the program is better positioned to strengthen communication, mentoring, supervision, and community support for Village Birth Attendants throughout the island.
The team also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Caring for Kiriwina for providing the official VBA banner, which helps give the program greater visibility and recognition within the communities it serves.
Work is continuing to map all villages and the number of Village Birth Attendants in each circuit. This important information will support stronger planning, monitoring, reporting, and fairer distribution of resources across the program.
During the meeting, each circuit also received gifts generously donated by supporters. Caring for Kiriwina extends sincere thanks to its donors for their continued partnership and commitment to improving maternal and newborn health in Kiriwina. Their generosity continues to encourage Village Birth Attendants, who serve with compassion and dedication in often challenging circumstances.
Together, Caring for Kiriwina remains committed to building stronger community-based maternal and newborn healthcare, helping ensure safer pregnancies and births, and supporting healthy mothers, healthy babies, and thriving communities across Kiriwina Island.
Caring for Kiriwina (CFK) was honoured to take part in the first-ever Political Economy for Primary Health Care forum in Milne Bay Province. The three-day event united government officials, health leaders, development partners, and church representatives. It also included Local Level Government Presidents, Milne Provincial Government Leaders, and Business Leaders, all aiming to enhance primary health care and better serve remote communities.
CFK was recognised for its work in Kiriwina and encouraged to deepen collaboration with local government and health services, especially as plans progress to reopen Losuia Airport and improve communication through solutions like Starlink.
Thank you to our amazing In-country manager, Toks Bwaina, for your ongoing commitment to the charity and the people of Kiriwina and for attending the conference.
Together, we are working towards healthier, more connected communities in Milne Bay.
The sun is finally out on Kiriwina after severe weather caused havoc across the island. Despite the storms and patchy communications, our incredible community kept going.
Your donations made it possible for Caroleen and our field teams to keep showing up — connecting with missionaries, health workers, and VBAs to support families and communities across the island.
Because of you, each circuit is working alongside the CFK VBA Coordinator every month, strengthening local networks of care and resilience. Your kindness is not just meeting immediate needs — it’s helping communities rebuild with dignity, creativity, and hope.
From all of us, and from the people of Kiriwina: thank you for making this work possible. 🌿
CFK VBAs from Luba 2 circuitCaroleen with Filema, a nurse from the Catholic Health Services, meeting at the CFK LHC officeCaroleen with Christine, a councillor with Catholic Health, meeting at the CFK LHC office
There are just 4 days until the end of the financial year.
On Kiriwina Island, women and children face challenges most of us will never know. With only one doctor on the island and only two trained midwives to support around 55,000 people across remote villages. Many families still struggle to access clean drinking water, essential health care, and the school supplies their children need.
Caring for Kiriwina works alongside local leaders, Village Birth Attendants, midwives, and teachers to change this. Your EOFY donation can help:
Employ and support trained Kiriwinan midwives all year round
Provide birthing kits and safe delivery supplies for mothers and babies
Improve access to clean drinking water across villages
Supply schools with essential materials and scholarships so children can stay in school
With only 4 days left until the end of the financial year, your tax-deductible gift can make a life-changing difference for Kiriwinan women and children.
Please donate today.
Donate now and stand with us in Caring for Kiriwina.
Because of our generous supporters, CFK can continue changing lives for women and children on Kiriwina. Every gift helps provide safety, opportunity, and hope.
One incredible partner is the Lions Club of Wheelers Hill.
Thanks to their generosity:
Two new water tanks have been installed in two of the island’s most vulnerable areas, bringing clean, reliable water closer to families who need it most.
Boarding costs for 10 students at Losuia Secondary School have been fully covered, giving these young people the chance to stay in school and pursue their dreams.
This remarkable gift has been further supported by Wesley College Junior School (St Kilda Campus), whose care and commitment are helping to transform young lives on Kiriwina.
Since 1994, the Lions Club of Wheelers Hill has built a proud tradition of standing beside those in need and supporting a wide range of people and organisations. Over the years, their members have volunteered thousands of hours and contributed almost $1 million in goods and services locally, across Australia, and around the world.
With a diverse and welcoming membership of 43 people from 13 different countries, the club continues to grow, innovate, and say “yes” to communities in need. Learn more about their incredible work at: https://lions201v5.org.au/wheelers-hill/
Your Support Can Change Even More Lives
As we approach EOFY, your tax deductible donation to Caring For Kiriwina Ltd can make a powerful difference:
Help pay for trained nurses to support and train our more than 260 Village Birth Attendants
Help more students stay in school by providing boarding costs, school fees and dignity kits for the girls
Expand access to clean, safe water
Support women and children in many other ways in the remote communities of Kiriwina Island
Donate now and stand with us in Caring for Kiriwina.
We sincerely thank Carnival Cruise passengers, Mary and her family, for delivering the donated items to our dedicated staff on Kiriwina. Your kindness truly makes a difference! The photo shows Snr Caroleen and Nason from the Caring for Kiriwina office at Losuia Health Centre, preparing the items for distribution.
We hope you enjoy your time on Kiriwina, and thank you for your kindness and generosity.
If you are bringing donations, please hand them only to our registered charity volunteers, who will be waiting for you under our official banner at the landing area.
This is very important. When donations are given to individuals on the beach, we cannot:
Ensure that items are distributed fairly and transparently
Direct support to vital community services such as health centres and schools
Reach the most vulnerable families who need help the most
By giving your donations to our charity team, you help us make sure that your gifts go exactly where you intended.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those passengers who have already contacted us and to everyone who has kindly agreed to carry much-needed supplies. Your support makes an enormous difference, especially as the cost of transporting these life‑saving items to Kiriwina by other means is extremely high.
From all of us here, thank you for caring about our community and for helping us build a better future for Kiriwina.
Please look out for our staff with the CFK bannerThe gorgeous Sandy, with a bag of the wonderful Belrose ladies’ donated knitting.The fabulous Edwina and the wonderful support from Priceline Chemist, Balgowlah Unfortunately, as Carnival had not agreed to accept donations directly for this trip, we had already mailed a large number of boxes to Kiriwina at great cost via the brilliant Andy at Australia Post.
Today, we honour the remarkable midwives who commit themselves to promoting safe and healthy pregnancies and births globally. At Caring for Kiriwina, we acknowledge the essential contributions of trained and registered midwives in empowering women and families, especially in our cherished Kiriwina and neighbouring islands. They play a crucial role in supporting our untrained Village Birth Attendants.
Thank you to all the midwives for your unwavering commitment, compassion, and support. Your work changes lives and brings joy to families every day. 💖
Join us in honouring these remarkable individuals and acknowledging their impact on maternal and child health. Together, let’s continue to advocate for and support midwives everywhere!
