News

Ready to take full advantage of this rainy weather! ☔😁 #RainyDays #WaterConservation #Sustainability #Cleanwater #CaringforKiriwina😁💧

Photos and video of the Water Tank at the Losuia Secondary School and Health Centre being installed 😍

We are thrilled to share that the much-anticipated donations from passengers of the P&O/Carnival February cruise have finally reached their destination in Kiriwina!

These generous contributions, whose delivery was affected by cyclone Alfred, have now made their way into the hands of the students at Kiriwina’s Primary and Secondary Schools.

A heartfelt thank you to all the passengers whose kindness has made a positive impact on the community. Your support will help enhance the educational experience for many young learners.

Stay tuned for updates on how these donations are making a difference!

Photo of education donations finally being received by Losuia Primary School.

#team, #management, #people, #caringforkiriwina, #cleanwater, #villagelife, #villagebirthattendants, #kiriwina, #trobriandislands, #papuanewguinea, #mothers, #mothersandbabies, #babies, #safebirths, #villagebirthattendants, #midwives, #P&Ocruisesaustralia, #CarnivalCruises, #education, #schools, #health, #charity.

We are excited to announce that the upcoming installation of water tanks will take place at Kiriwina Secondary School and the Losuia Health Centre starting next week. Thank you to all our sponsors and donors who have made this dream a reality!

As part of our ongoing clean water program (funds permitting), we are also planning to install additional water tanks at Losuia Primary School and Oyabia Mission Station in the following phase.

Stay tuned for updates as we work towards improving access to clean water in the Kiriwinan community!

#caringforkiriwina, #cleanwater, #watertanks, #hygiene, #charity, #water, #health, #education, #papuanewguinea, #kiriwina, #trobriandislands, #MilneBay, #ReopenKiriwinaflights

We are thrilled to share that our shipment of 10,000-litre water tanks will be delivered to Kiriwina in two days for Installation next week!

We can’t wait to capture the installations at the Losuia Health Centre and Losuia Secondary School. Stay tuned for updates and photos!

This delivery is also a heartfelt tribute to Margaret Lawton on her birthday anniversary. We believe she would be proud to see this important contribution to the community. A big thank you to our sponsors and donors.

#caringforkiriwina, #cleanwater, #watertanks, #hygiene, #charity, #water, #health, #education, #papuanewguinea, #kiriwina, #trobriandislands, #MilneBay, #ReopenKiriwinaflights

We are deeply saddened to hear news of Aaron’s passing.  He was a gentle and beautiful person, always with a smile on his face.

We have fond and lasting memories of Aaron, especially his time in Canberra, and remember the great legacy of his Bible translation work, which will be with the Kiriwina people long into the future.

Please pass on our love and condolences to Aaron’s family.

Doug & Jodi Lawton

Sydney, Monday 24 March 2025

In our ongoing commitment to ensuring a reliable water supply, we’ve identified the need to not only maintain our existing water pumps but also to enhance our infrastructure with the installation of rainwater tanks. This initiative will allow us to collect and store precious rainwater, making our system more sustainable and efficient.

We are thrilled to announce that we are in the process of purchasing, delivering, and installing two new 10,000-litre rainwater tanks! One tank will be located at the Losuia Health Centre, serving our CFK office and supporting the patients who rely on their services. The second tank will be positioned at the Losuia Secondary School, providing a supplementary water source for students and complementing the pumps already in place.

These installations are a significant step towards improving water access in the Kiriwina community, and we are excited about the positive impact they will have. Stay tuned for updates on our progress as we continue to work toward a more sustainable future for everyone!

Thank you to all our donors, sponsors and volunteers; this life saving work could not happen without you :).

#caringforkiriwina, #cleanwater, #watertanks, #hygiene, #charity, #water, #health, #education, #papuanewguinea, #kiriwina, #trobriandislands, #MilneBay, #ReopenKiriwinaflights, #CarnivalCruisesAustralia

On this special International Women’s Day, we want to express our deepest gratitude and admiration for the incredible women of Kiriwina Island. Today, we celebrate all women, including the dedicated midwives, nurses, birth attendants, nurturing mothers, and the precious babies who symbolise hope for the future. Our charity’s mission is based on the belief that empowering girls and women in Kiriwina is essential to strengthening the entire community.

Let us celebrate the strength, wisdom, and boundless contributions of the women of Kiriwina. Together, we can continue to uplift, support, and honour these remarkable individuals who are, indeed, the beating heart of their island community.

As our charity continues to collect data on births to report to the MBPHA, we are constant in our commitment to these fabulous women and babies.

Happy International Women’s Day!

#CaringforKiriwina, #InternationalWomensDay2025, #KiriwinaIsland, #Womenandbabies, #Birthingkits, #DignityKits

As we reflect on our recent P&O sponsored CFK reporting trip to Kiriwina, we can’t help but acknowledge the profound impact of Cyclone Alfred. Despite our return to dry land, the effects of the cyclone continue to resonate with us.

Cyclone Alfred altered our carefully planned schedule, disrupting meetings that had been arranged months in advance. The situation was particularly heart-wrenching as we watched from the bridge of our boat, donations in hand, while powerful waves lashed the shores of the island. We could see our friends and community members on Kaibola Beach, equally helpless as we were forced to turn away from the island.

Although the circumstances were disappointing, the resilience of the Kiriwina people truly shone through. Our incredible community members seized the opportunity to come together, organising meetings and discussions focusing on the welfare of women and children. The photographs captured during these meetings showcase the strength and determination of these remarkable women, who strive to uplift their community.

Together, we are committed to supporting their efforts as they work tirelessly for the good of their people. A big thank you to P&OCarnival for this wonderful opportunity!

#caringforkiriwina, #charity, #women&children, #CarnivalCruises, #P&OCarnival

We’re eagerly looking forward to reconnecting with our amazing staff, friends, volunteers and supporters in Kiriwina and Alotau. Can’t wait to see you all soon!

#caringforkiriwina #resumeflightstokiriwina #benevolentsociety #education #CleanWater #watertanks, #birthingkits #villagebirthattendants #healthandhygiene #trobriandislands #PapuaNewGuineans #CommunityCare #MaternityMatters #hopeandlight #pandocruisesaustralia #carnivalcruiseship #pharmacyselectbalgowlah

This week marks a meaningful moment for our entire team as we reflect on this day in 2012. We are filled with warmth and gratitude when we think back to our experiences on Kiriwina during that pivotal Bible dedication trip. It was an extraordinary event that brought together remarkable individuals, including Margaret and Dr. Reverend Ralph Lawton, their dedicated team of translators, and the entire Lawton family as the Kiriwinan’s esteemed guests of honour. This journey laid the groundwork for what would become Caring For Kiriwina.

Together with Margaret, we spent countless hours listening to and sharing with the Kiriwinan women, gaining invaluable insights into their daily lives and challenges. The conversations we had during that time continue to inspire us today. Looking at the photo from that period, featuring my now-grown children and our family friend Sam Peter, we collectively feel immense gratitude for the charity’s success. We are excited about our upcoming reporting trip to Kiriwina. This trip will be a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with our dedicated staff, volunteers, and friends.

We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of CFK’s journey. This incredible work truly is a team effort! We are especially thankful for the inspiring Lawton family, our fantastic co-directors, Vanessa Palfreeman, who will accompany me on this trip, and the remarkable Stephen Baxter. Our supportive husbands, Doug Lawton and Andrew Sweeney, our outstanding fundraising manager, Jeff Keating, and our donors who wish to keep their anonymity have also been instrumental.

A special shoutout goes to Toks Bwaina, our dedicated in-country manager, who keeps everything running smoothly, along with our on-island manager, Lepani Ahab. We are also immensely grateful for the unwavering support from our Village Birth Attendant supervisor, Bokawau, head VBA Ruth Boaz, and the entire VBA team.

Our thanks extend to the Uniting Church, particularly Bishop Rev. Agabu Antonio, the Losuia Health Centre staff, as well as Ridley and midwife Linesse, and the Milne Bay Public Health Authority—especially Dr. Perista Mamadi, Dr. Dale Frank, and their team.

We also want to recognise our committed midwife educators, Shea Caplice and Jacqui Andrews, as well as our wonderful supporters and donors, including Sandy Reid and all the amazing ladies from The Belrose and Willandra Village for their knitted items and our Birthing and Dignity kit packers. Our achievements are truly a collective effort.

As we reflect, we remember those who are no longer with us but whose support has been invaluable. We carry forward the legacy of Margaret and Rev Dr Ralph Lawton on Kiriwina, as well as honouring our dear friends and supporters like Health Care Worker Jansen Toposona, his brother Nelson, David Antonio, Nurse Florence, and Bunu.

Lastly, we’re eternally grateful to P&O/Carnival Cruises for their incredible support in helping get our donations and us to Kiriwina. This assistance is vital in allowing us in our work and to hire more midwives to support mothers and babies in real-time.

We look forward to seeing all of you soon and continuing this important journey together! Thank you for being part of our community.

#caringforkiriwina #resumeflightstokiriwina #benevolentsociety #education #CleanWater #watertanks, #birthingkits #villagebirthattendants #healthandhygiene #trobriandislands #PapuaNewGuineans #CommunityCare #MaternityMatters #hopeandlight#pandocruisesaustralia #carnivalcruiseship #pharmacyselectbalgowlah