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CommUNITY Support
CommUNITY support is necessary for Palms Australia to prepare, send and support our volunteers, but it also has benefits for the Australian community.
CommUNITY Partners receive regular updates of volunteer placements, so you too will learn about life in another culture as the volunteer experiences it, part of a community of people committed to a more just, sustainable, peaceful and interdependent world.
Callan Services for Disabled Persons, Buka
Newsletters - April 2006October 2006 April 2007 August 2007
Callan Services is a Catholic organisation working with people with disabilities in Papua New Guinea.
Based on Buka island in the newly autonomous Bougainville Province of Papua New Guinea, Callan Services provides Community Based Rehabilitation for the disabled.
In addition to the health problems usually associated with the developing world, the ten-year civil war known as the "Bougainville Crisis" left many local people with a variety of injuries and disabilities. Callan Services for Disabled Persons works throughout Bougainville to provide physiotherapy for and education about disabilities.
Diocese of Bougainville
The Catholic Diocese of Bougainville has played an important part in helping the people of Bougainville return to a peaceful existence. Its offices in health, education, justice and peace, HIV/AIDS, women's affairs and youth affairs provide vital services and support to all Bougainvilleans, not just the 80 per cent who are Catholic.
Bishop Henk Kronenberg, SM, placed a request with Palms Australia to provide volunteers to work with and train diocesan staff in administration and governance and Callan Services staff in natural therapies.
Barry and Yvonne Dunne
Yvonne will establish a natural therapy program in close relationship with the staff of Callan Services incorporating training of local staff, volunteers and nurses in a side-by-side mentoring role. Yvonne has previously volunteered for Micah Projects, an outreach program which involves using touch therapy with the homeless of Brisbane, many of whom are mentally, emotionally or physically disabled.
Barry will train and supervise a number of diocesan staff in proper administrative techniques and procedures. He will emphasise and encourage accountability, better cooperation, effective governance and responsible financial management. Barry has previously worked for the Queensland Government managing their Taxi Subsidy Scheme for disabled people.
CommUNITY Support
Barry and Yvonne's placement has been partially funded by the following CommUNITY partners:
- Our Lady & St Dympna's Parish, Aspley QLD
- Chanel College, Gladstone QLD
- Sans Sisto College, Carina QLD
- Fr Ron Nissan, SM