We are excited to share that Martha Schaumkel is on her way to Bangalore, India to study to become the first female Tongan Prosthetist/Orthotist .She follows in the footsteps of her Mother, Salote, who paved the way for female scholars…
Name: Sazmin Nisha Age: 30 Current role: Physiotherapy Program Coordinator and Community Rehabilitation Assistant at Frank Hilton Organisation (FHO) From our very first meeting, it is obvious that Sazmin, referred to as Nisha, is a dedicated, passionate individual. Nisha is…
Charlie is a musician from Ngalitatai in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Motivation Australia was really pleased to visit him at home, at the end of 2018. As a teenager, Charlie had an accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and…
Mr Albert Kaiapam is the Principal Physiotherapist at the Ministry of Health in Vanuatu. He has oversight of the Physiotherapy Department at both Vila Central Hospital (VCH), the country’s main referral hospital, and Northern Provincial Hospital (NPH), the second largest…
Two long standing members of Motivation Australia, Wendy and Daryl Teague met fourteen year old Jack whilst visiting Kompiam last month. Jack had received a spinal cord injury after a tree fell on him. After his accident he had been provided…
On Friday 14th June 2019, Honourable Dr Saia Maú Piukala, Minister for Health & Public Enterprises and Ms Rhona Mcphee Deputy Australian High Commissioner officially opened the rehabilitation department at Vaiola Hospital. The completion of the renovation of the former…
In May, Motivation Australia’s Katrina McGrath spent some time in Papua New Guinea with the National Orthotic Prosthetic Services (NOPS). During this in country visit Katrina followed up on a number of project activities and provided mentoring and continuing professional…
Motivation Australia is grateful to have the support of many knowledgeable and experienced volunteers from a range of disciplines and countries. Recently one of our amazing volunteers, Debbie Wilson from Seating to Go, New Zealand traveled to Solomon Islands to…
In February Motivation Australia’s Katrina McGrath spent some time in the Solomon Islands where she worked with the Prosthetic and Orthotic graduates recently returned from Mobility India and Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) personnel. Katrina spent time with Lower Limb Prosthetist…
Name: Anasavaia Liku Age: 30 Current role: Community Rehabilitation Assistant and Mobility Device Service Clinician Anasavaia (Ana) is a mother of three young children (aged 3, 4 and 6) and has received training through MA’s programmes in Fiji. Ana shared…
Celebrating the Conference Theme: ‘Pacific Leaders creating Sustainable Services’, delegates from nine countries in the Pacific region, inclusive of those who use, provide and manage services worked together to share ideas, discuss and learn about how to build inclusive rehabilitation…
In December last year, Motivation Australia’s Consultant Podiatrist Nalini Natesan, delivered two days of training on diabetic foot screening and wound care to community nurses. She returned to Tonga in March, with volunteer podiatrist Emma Winter and Motivation Australia’s Prosthetist…
Jedediah is a happy, active 2-year-old boy. We were welcomed into his family home just outside of Suva, Fiji by his father, Vilsoni, and grandparents from both his mother and fathers’ sides. It is obvious he has a strong and…
Name: Jope Liloma Age: 32 Current role: Wheelchair Technician at Frank Hilton Organisation in Suva, Fiji. Jope is one of four brothers and after not finding his way with university became a volunteer ‘Community Aid’ through the Ministry of Health…
The MA team were recently in Tonga to continue work on the Rehabilitation and Mobility project. So many exciting things have happened in Tonga over the last month! Tonga now has its first ever lower limb prosthestist and lower limb…
In December, 2018 Motivation Australia consultant podiatrist Nalini Natesan together with Selini Soakai, head of Non-Communicable Disease nurses, delivered two days of training on diabetic foot screening and wound care to community nurses in Tonga. As part of the Tonga…
“Living in Tonga is a fantastic learning opportunity for me.” We recently caught up with MA’s Programme Manager, Ray Mines about what it’s like living and working in Tonga to make our current project happen. He shares the benefits and…
John Bule is a physiotherapist at Northern Provincial Hospital in Santo, Vanuatu. He trained at Fiji National University from 2013 – 2016, before returning to Vanuatu to work at Vila Central Hospital in Port Vila. John reports he was interested…
Motivation Australia, together with the Latter day Saint Charities (LDSC) have recently delivered wheelchair refresher training in three countries throughout the Pacific from September to November. Motivation Australia’s Katrina McGrath joined Chris Christensen a technical trainer from LDSC to co-deliver…
Last week Motivation Australia’s (MA) Claire Ibell spent time on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, providing support to our partners at the Northern Provincial Hospital as part of the Pacific Mobility Device Services (MDS) project. Northern Provincial Hospital…
