Marietje Stuckey volunteering in Kiribati

St Joseph's College, Kiribati

St Joseph's College is a school of almost 400 students located at Tabwiroa on the atoll of Abaiang in the Republic of Kiribati. The school offers training for students in traditional academic subjects as well as agriculture, music, home science and computer skills. Though many students would like to continue to the University of the South Pacific, most will not progress beyond high school.

Students travel from many of Kiribati's 33 atolls to attend St Joseph's, with a large number boarding in dormitories. The limited agriculture possible on coral islands, combined with a growing population, means the only alternatives to a "fish and rice" diet are expensive, imported, and often heavily-processed foods.

Other health issues include unsanitary, polluted lagoons and a growing risk of HIV/AIDS which seems to have been introduced by a global commercial fishing industry.

St Joseph's College aims to provide care for their students' and staff's health as well as education about nutrition, hygiene and prevention of disease. To this end, they have requested a qualified nurse to assist in caring for the students and passing on her skills to local staff.

Marietje Stuckey

Marietje Stuckey, from Heidelberg in Melbourne, will work as school nurse at St Joseph's College taking responsibility for health services at the school and passing on her skills.

Marietje will provide basic care and medication for students and staff and will establish systems for the ongoing treatment of future students, including ordering medication and making referrals to the Central Hospital.

Marietje is an enrolled nurse with training in a variety of therapies including myotherapy, remedial massage and hypno-birthing. She also has experience in counselling, medication administration and workplace training. Palms Australia and St Joseph's believe she is well-equipped for the job.