Organised chaos in the shed

The team is preparing for the next trip to PNG. I am thrilled and slightly nervous to be going on my first trip with Open Heart International. My mother, Jenny Joseph, has been to PNG with the team for the last 13 years. Her stories, pictures and experiences have inspired me to follow in her footsteps. I am ecstatic to see and share with you what all the fuss is about.

Packing for the upcoming trip to PNG has completed. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of Open Heart International’s first trip to PNG. Back then things were much smaller; only 25 staff went on the first trip in 1993. The program has since expanded significantly and this year there will be 64 team members giving their time to change lives. Both new team members and veterans arrived to help pack on the 23rd of June. It was a cold, rainy, winter day. The team banded together and got the job done over two days. We had 19 volunteers all pitch in to lend a hand. As a newbie I was initially daunted by what seemed to be a chaotic system although I quickly learnt there was method to the madness. Each group packs their own equipment, for example the ICU staff pack for the ICU, the ward staff pack for the ward. Supplies were sorted, counted, and packed. The theatre fairies had already mystically packed their supplies and hence they weren’t to be seen. Finally we all work together to organize the many tons of equipment and supplies for freighting.

After meeting some of the team and observing how they work together I can see how remarkable this whole experience will be for all involved. There will be many lives changed, for the patients and for the volunteers. I can’t wait for the trip to begin.