Sometimes the best moments happen in the middle of a practical job.
This funny video captures Kiriwinan men and boys trying to separate stacked water tanks, with plenty of laughter along the way. To view, click this Facebook link. It’s a beautiful reminder that community work is not only about getting the job done, but also about sharing joy, patience, teamwork and humour.
Even the tough jobs become lighter when people come together.
After delays caused by inclement weather, we are pleased to share that two much-needed water tanks are now on their way to Kiriwina.
Thanks to the generous support of the Lions Club of Wheelers Hill, the tanks have been loaded onto the MV Captain Moresby and are making the sea voyage to Kiriwina. The vessel made a brief stop at Esaala Wharf last night before continuing its journey.
One of the tanks will be installed on Tuma Island, near Kaileuna. Tuma is a small island community of around 100 to 150 people, surrounded by coconut palms, white sandy beaches, reefs and coral. Despite its natural beauty, access to clean drinking water remains a daily challenge.
At present, villagers collect drinking water from a cave some distance from the village and rely on rainfall when it is available. Bathing is done in salt water.
This new water tank will make a meaningful difference by helping provide safer, cleaner and more reliable drinking water for the people of Tuma Island.
We are deeply grateful to the Lions Club and to everyone supporting Caring for Kiriwina. Your generosity is helping improve daily life for families in remote island communities.
We are very grateful to Carnival Cruise Ships for their wonderful support over the past few years in helping us deliver much-needed donations to the people of Kiriwina.
Most recently, Carnival assisted with the successful delivery of 11 donated bags to CFK, including one delivered directly by a passenger, which were received safely in Kiriwina. The delivery included important supplies that will directly benefit the community, particularly women and babies, through the birthing and dignity kits we provide.
Our Village Birth Attendants are present in every village across the island, and these donations make a meaningful difference to their work and to the families they support. The generosity shown by Carnival has been deeply appreciated by the whole Kiriwina community each time the ship arrived with donations on board.
A very special thank you goes to Mira and Lynne for being so lovely to work with, and for giving so generously of their time, care, and skills to help make these deliveries possible. We also extend our thanks to the Carnival crew (pictured in the white shirts), including Hotel Director Junior Powell and Guest Services Manager Galyna Shynger, who helped hand over the donated bags to representatives in Kiriwina.
We are saddened that Carnival ships are no longer scheduled to call into Kiriwina, and this highlights the urgent need for flights to the island to be reinstated so that essential supplies and support can continue to reach the community.
These deliveries have made a lasting impact, and we hope there may be future opportunities for Carnival to return to Kiriwina.
Thank you again to everyone involved in making this final delivery such a success.
Receipt of donations at the Caring for Kiriwina Losuia Health Centre office by our VBA supervisor, Caroleen, our dispatch officer, Nason and our CFK VBAs, Dulcie, Bessie and Dorcas.
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 will be 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 will be 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.
