YWAM appeals for support to meet deadline

Caption:  (second from right) Ken Mulligan and YWAM members pose in front of a model of the ‘MV Ammari’

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 26, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH 40 days fast approaching to secure its new medical ship the ‘MV Ammari’- Youth With A Mission medical ships is now in discussion with various provincial governments that will benefit from their services to assist with arrears remaining (K9.5 million from the K15.4 million price tag) to secure the new vessel.

The Christian non-for-profit organization has so far undertaken a quarter of a million (250,000) over 5 years in operating missions in the country.

They have provided medical services to the rural populations in the provinces of Western, Gulf, and Central- with the conclusion of pilot missions into Milne Bay and the Oro Province and plans to expand to the Huon Gulf area in Morobe.

As its current vessels, MV Pacific Link, has returned for retirement back in Townsville, Australia, the race against the clock has seen a total of K5.9 million raised to date.

YWAM Managing Director Ken Mulligan, said that the new vessel would boost their operation by 500 percent and will be permanently based in the country to serve rural people in the maritime provinces.

“With 40 days remaining to secure the ship for PNG, the pressure is on and we acknowledge the Department of National Planning for their initial support towards securing the vessel with K4 million through the Church-State Partnership program,” Mulligan said.

“The ship (MV Ammari) is currently in Sydney undergoing refitting of medical equipment- and there has already been over 15,000 visitors onboard the ship in Australia who are keen to learn about the work we do PNG.”

“We have already received an anonymous donation from the US (United States), which goes to show that with the coverage we have in the media on what we are doing is reaching the world.”

Mulligan also announced that over 1,000 volunteers, from medical practitioners to general volunteers, from various countries around the globe have signed up to work with the mission.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for us to give services and build hope and save lives, and we look forward to many more years in PNG,” Mulligan added.