Port Stephens Humanitarian Wendy Stein Turning The Page On PNG Support Nelson Bay (Tomaree Peninsula areas) Port Stephens LGA Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - July 16, 2020 Wendy Stein and Kate Washington during a recent meeting to drive support for PNG women through ‘Rona Stole Our Relief’. FOR over a decade Taylors Beach Rotarian, Wendy Stein OAM has been making the pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea to deliver and administer essential medical supplies, procedures and women’s health programs. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au With the impacts of COVID-19 severely impacting Wendy’s ability to make the journey herself this year she’s teamed up with her friend and author Chandra Clements to produce a book ‘Rona Stole Our Relief’. The book serves to highlight the plight of the PNG women who are facing increasing health risks associated with childbirth and Cervical Cancer whilst raising much needed funds to continue health services on the ground. Wendy says that what started as an interest in the human rights of the PNG people during a 2005 trip has turned into a drive to better the lives of our neighbours to the North. “We first visited Mando Village in the Eastern Highlands of PNG in 2005 and quickly saw the need to help make a change to the conditions women and girls were facing in these remote locations,” said Wendy. “There was minimal infrastructure and healthcare support and it was becoming increasingly harder to reach some of the smaller island villages. “We started delivering medical goods and healthcare workers by dinghy!” After capsizing a loaded runabout dinghy Wendy and her supportive late husband Brian set the wheels in motion to acquire a boat capable enough to act as a floating clinic. In 2015 the NGO set up by Wendy and Brian, Spacim Pikinini PNG Inc, purchased a vessel and named it ‘Kula Spirit’ which started operating in 2017 as a private boat clinic. Wendy says that the boat now sits idle in Port Moresby as the CoronaVirus has stalled the essential delivery of its medical services. “The pandemic has not only severely impacted us here in Australia, the people of PNG have multiple fronts to face,” said Wendy. “There’s the risks associated with COVID and all the other piling up health concerns. “This book aims to ensure the women of PNG aren’t left behind.” ‘Rona Stole Our Relief’ is available from Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay and Salamander Bay Newsagencies and can also be ordered directly from Wendy on 0418 319 997. All proceeds from the $12.95 book go straight to helping the women and girls of PNG and donations are more than welcome. By Mitch LEES Wendy’s son Trick aiding health workers deliver eye testing procedures in 2017.
