The Open Line Newsletter – March 2022

A message from Annette Baldwin, Interim Operations Coordinator

“I am excited for what lies ahead for us and hope that you will continue to stay on this journey with Open Heart International for 2022. Despite the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19, you continue to give hope to people who really need it. It inspires and encourages me and the team to keep working despite the challenges.
Thank you for taking the time to read the first Open Line for the year, we look forward to your continual support and journeying with you for 2022!”

Goodbye Megan!

Megan and her family have decided to leave Sydney and relocate to Brisbane. Megan has been working as the Marketing & Volunteer Support Officer for over 8 years until March 2021 when she took maternity leave.

Open Heart International is better for the years of dedication, blood, sweat, and tears that Megan has given to the team and all those that have been touched by OHI’s work. Our volunteers and team have come to love Megan, and she will be greatly missed by all.

Thank you again Megan for your commitment to Open Heart International, including this past year even when you were on maternity leave! Megan, we wish you and your family all the best for the future.

International Travel

Even though international travel is opening up again we must consider the risks of travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continuously monitoring the international health situation in the countries we visit. We are also keeping up to date on international travel restrictions both within Australia and the countries in which we travel.

As you are all aware each state has individual restrictions, let alone each individual Hospital for health care workers. As you can appreciate, the scope is forever changing, we are hoping in the near future these will settle down so we can get a better picture to be able to assess properly. Click here for more information.

Christmas Appeal Update

We have raised nearly $12,000 through the Christmas campaign. Your donation will help train nurses in Nepal through the Women’s Health project to treat more women who are suffering the terrible consequences of uterine prolapse.

Thanks to our partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Nepal much of this vital work can still be carried out, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Thank you for giving generously. This lifesaving and life-changing work would not be possible without you!

Thoughts with Tonga

We’re thinking of all our friends in Tonga at the moment, and we hope to hear from them soon.Just before the eruption, we received a beautiful update from the mother of one of our young cardiac surgery patients from September 2019. His mum mentioned he had graduated from primary school!

We are so thankful for your ongoing support that allows us to make a difference in the lives of families through lifesaving surgery, and give children the opportunity to reach amazing milestones like this. You can learn more about Open Heart International’s work in Tonga here.

All our thoughts are with everyone in Tonga at the moment. Open Heart International operates as a division of ADRA Australia. Through ADRA Australia, Open Heart International is able to contribute to various disaster responses in Tonga, Australia and Ukraine.

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