News

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.

#CaringForKiriwina #MilneBay #PrimaryHealthCare #CommunityHealth #PNG #HealthForAll

Photos: Dr Perista Mamadi welcoming the delegates and Bishop Agabu Enthonio leading the opening prayer before the meeting begins.

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. 🌿

#ThankYouDonors #Caringforkiriwina #Kiriwina ##CommunityStrong #CharityInAction #IslandResilience #TogetherWeCan #SupportingCommunities #CFK

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.

#CaringForKiriwina #Kiriwina #CommunitySupport #WomensEmpowerment #ChildrensEducation #CleanWater #Gratitude #Charity #Nonprofit #MakingADifference #Only4DaysLeft #CaringForKiriwina #EOFYGiving #SupportKiriwina #SafeBirths #CleanWaterForKiriwina #EducationForAll

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.

#CaringForKiriwina #Kiriwina #CommunitySupport #WomensEmpowerment #ChildrensEducation #CleanWater #LionsClub #WheelersHill #WesleyCollege #Gratitude #Charity #Nonprofit #MakingADifference

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.

#Caringforkiriwina #Carnivalcruiseline #CommunitySupport #Charity #Kiriwina #Gratitude #SharingKindness

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.

#CaringForKiriwina, #CarnivalCruises, #KiriwinaIsland, #IslandAdventure, #KiaboloaBeach, #CommunitySupport, #ExploreKiriwina, #TravelWithPurpose, #SupportingLocal, #IslandExperience

@CaringForKiriwina, @CarnivalCruises, @KiriwinaIsland, @IslandAdventure, @KiaboloaBeach, @CommunitySupport, @ExploreKiriwina, @TravelWithPurpose, @SupportingLocal, @IslandExperience

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!

#InternationalMidwivesDay #CaringForKiriwina #MidwivesMatter #MaternalHealth #StrongMothersStrongBabies 💐👶

We are pleased to share Caroleen’s thoughts on the celebrations below:

What unfolded was more than a meet-and-greet; it was a beautiful expression of unity, purpose, and humble service.

From the leadership of Reverend Tom Tovaboda, to the heartfelt welcome by the VBAs, and the strong support from Councillors Rurupa M’Toubulu and Alfred, every moment reflected a community rising together. I was deeply moved by the sincerity and quiet strength of our VBA team—their hospitality spoke louder than words.

As the benediction was given by Pr Peter Elijah, it felt clear: this work is guided, blessed, and set apart for impact.

Grateful to stand in this mission alongside Caring For Kiriwina.

Meet and Greet Acknowledgement Note

We extend our heartfelt appreciation and warm welcome to all our honored guests who have graced this special Meet and Greet ceremony.

We acknowledge the presence and leadership of Convener Reverend Tom Tovaboda and his wife, Marama Mary Tovaboda, whose guidance continues to strengthen this mission. We also warmly recognize Head Pastor Peter Elijah and his wife Florie Elijah for their faithful spiritual leadership.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Deacon Lepani Ahab and his wife Evelyn Ahab for their dedicated service, and to Probation Minister Gabriel Magidena for his commitment to ministry and growth.

We are deeply honored by the presence of our community leaders: Honorable Councilor Rurupa M’Toubulu of Kavataria and Honorable Councilor Alfred of Omarakana, whose support uplifts and empowers the work within our communities.

We respectfully acknowledge Chief James Samson of MLosaida for his leadership and cultural guidance, and Men’s Fellowship President Reuben Reuben for his role in strengthening fellowship and unity among the men.

Your presence today reflects unity, shared purpose, and a commitment to serve. Together, we move forward in faith, collaboration, and dedication to the wellbeing of our communities. And not forgetting Sir Tok’s father who humbly presents himself.

A total of 206 VBAs attended the event.

The precious pearls of Kiriwina

Post written by Snr Caroleen Baine, VBA Coordinator, Caring for Kiriwina

#Caringforkiriwina #KiriwinaWelcome #StrongWomenStrongBabies #MedicalMission #WomenInCommunity #PNGCharity #ThankYouVolunteers #KiriwinaCommunity #SisterCaroleen #VBACoordinator #CelebrationEvent #CommunitySupport #Empowerment #CharityWork #TogetherWeThrive #Gratitude #Sisterhood @CaringForKiriwina @VBA @SisterCaroleen @KiriwinaCommunity @PNGHealth

We are thrilled to share the latest on our ongoing initiatives at CFK. This week marks the beginning of an important chapter—focused, purposeful, and filled with hope.

Receiving essential reports, connecting with willing volunteers, and distributing birthing kits were invaluable opportunities that set the stage for our work ahead. Each greeting, every warm welcome, and every open door reminds us that this effort was set in motion long before today.

Productive days, not only in our accomplishments but in the groundwork we are laying for future success.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we are making a difference.

Caroleen, our new Midwife and VBA Coordinator, is receiving a Birthing Record Book from the family of the late Bokawau (former midwife and VBA Coordinator).

We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank the individuals and groups who have embraced Caroleen into the Kiriwinan community with such warmth, making this occasion truly special.

1.  Pastor Peter Elizah and his wife Florie Elizah  – Kavataria United Church Pastor
2.  Lepani Ahab and his wife Evelyn Ahab  – Kavataria United Church Deacon
3.  Kavataria United Church Women’s Fellowship Executives
4.  Kavataria United Church Women’s Fellowship
5. Mr Rurupa Mutoubolu  – Kavataria Ward Councillor
6. Mr Daniel Donai  – Carpenter for the refurbishment and renovation of the house
7.  Ruth Boaz
8. Kiriwina VBA’s
9. The Wonderful People of Kiriwina

In the accompanying pictures, you will see Mrs Anna Taudiri, the President of the Kavataria Women’s Fellowship, alongside Mr Rurupa Mutoubolu, our Kavataria Ward Councillor. The women in red uniforms are members of the Kavataria Women’s Fellowship, which plays a vital role in our community.

Thank you to everyone for your support and dedication. Together, we can continue to uplift and care for our community.

#Caringforkiriwina, #KiriwinaWelcome, #StrongWomenStrongBabies, #MedicalMission, #WomenInCommunity, #PNGCharity, #ThankYouVolunteers