About the Kokoda Track Health Campaign
HOPE4HEALTH, Back Track Adventuresand The Kokoda Track Foundation, officially launch their appeal to support a 2 staged campaign aimed at improving the long term health of people living along the Kokoda Track: Stage 1 | Stage 2
Stage 1 - Train 4 Health Workers
We need to raise
AUD $16,000
to train 4 specially selected
trainee Health Workers:
Each of the trainee Health Workers chosen to undertake the 2 year course, were specially selected from a large number of applicants based on a number of criteria including their academic record and references from their village leaders. Each candidate was personally interviewed by representatives from the The Kokoda Track Foundation for the position. They each have signed contracts, committing to spend a minimum of 4 years working in their Home village as the Community Health Worker after they have completed their training. All the village members are aware of the contracts and their selected Health Workers commitment.
How can you help?
We need to fund their training. It’s going to cost AUD $2,000 per year, for 2 years (total AUD $4,000) to train each of these Health Workers.
Each will be starting their 2 year full time training on February 8th 2010. The Health Worker’s Certificate Course is a full time course conducted by the St Gerard’s Community Health Workers Training School in Port Moresby. For only AUD$4,000, this small amount covers their full time board in Port Moresby, travel expenses to and from their village and all their stationery needs for their course. The Kokoda Track Foundation have systems in place to monitor the trainees progress and account for all payments.
Click here to make a tax deductible donation, or call Jim Drapes on 1300 669 780.
Stage 2 - Build the Naduri Health Centre
STOP PRESS: MARCH 2010. We are pleased to announce that Ausaid as part of the Kokoda Track Development Programme have allocated sufficient funds and resources to ensure that this health Post will be built. It is estimated that if all goes to plan the Health post will be built by the end of July 2010.
We are hopeful that the Post will be completed in July, however the Health Post will only be functional with the support of sponsors and kind hearted supporters. To keep the centre 'resourced' with drugs and essential supplies will not be a simple and cost free exercise. The Hea th Workers needed to staff the Health post will not be fully trained for some time.
Back track representatives will be consulting with all interested parties over the next couple of months and an operational support plan will be formulated. If you have any ideas or wish to get involved as a sponsor please contact us.
We would welcome any donations to help with Stage 1 as outlined above.
Stay tuned to this web site for future updates.
 Stage 2:- Following meetings with Ausaid representatives in Port Moresby planned in February 2010, we should, by the end of February, have more information on costs for this project. Currently this is what is planned for the village of Naduri:
- Construct a Community Health Post, with support structures consisting of a rural staff house, a cook house, a tool shed and a gazebo.
- Construct a rural incinerator, pit toilets and bucket showers for patients and health workers.
- Procure essential medical equipment, aid post drugs and supplies, furniture and fittings.
- Devise an ongoing plan for support by Hope4Health and back Track trekkers each year to trek to the new Health Centre to offer updated medical skills training and support.
Time line: The ultimate aim is to have the Health Centre ready for operation by the time the community Health workers have finished their Training programme scheduled for the end of 2011.
About Naduri village
 Naduri is a medium to large village population approximately 300 and is situated roughly halfway along the Kokoda Track. Currently Naduri has a health post. This consists of a fallen down village hut, staffed part time by a Naduri Villager whose training consists of his attendance at a basic 1 day first aid course in Port Moresby many years ago. His medical supplies consist of a collection of medications, most without boxes or instructions that have been left in the village by well meaning trekkers.
Naduri has been identified as suitable for our support in building a Health Centre for the following reasons:
- The current health post and the services it provides are totally inadequate.
- The village has proven long term effective leadership.
- Naduri is strategically located to work in well with other aid posts along the Track and allow for outgoing assiatance to surrounding communities.
Remote area First Aid Kits
In order to assist immediately with the Health needs in Naduri Village, funds have been allocated by the KTF to provide the village with a very comprehensive Remote area first aid kit and to train 2 selected villagers on a senior first aid course and remote area first aid course.
How can you help ?
We will have projected costs and plans for the Health Centre shortly. We will require a considerable amount of funding, plus support and enthusiasm by all involved to get this project completed.
We also envisage that we may require builders/competent handymen and other skilled people to assist with the project.
Interest by Australian Building Supply Companies and Construction Firms and individual builders and anyone who can action that will achieve the successful completition of Stage 2 of the Kokoda Track Health Plan would be welcome.
There are many possibilities for involvement. Companies or individuals may be prepared to organize a fund raising trek, donate time and labour, donate building products.
At this stage we would welcome enquiry from anyone who may be able to assist.
Click here to make a tax deductible donation, or call Jim Drapes on 1300 669 780.
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Meet our Health Workers:
Collin Korave
(Enviligo Village,
off the
Kokoda Track)
 We are five in the family, 2 boys and 3 girls. Two died and we are left with three. My religion is seventh day Adventist.
Why did you want to be a community health worker?
Because my village is right up in the remote area where there’s no basic health service. Therefore, I want to be trained and become a community health worker to serve my people and also people living along the famous Kokoda Track and PNG as a whole.
What does it mean for you to receive a KTF scholarship?
It means of what our great grandparents who have helped the Australians during World War 2 by carrying their packs etc. This has built a grea a relationship between the Australians and PNGs, especially the people of Koiari. I’m proud to receive a The Kokoda Track Foundation scholarship.
Rex John
(Naduri Village Kokoda Track)
 I am the 8th of 10 in the family and we are all Adventist. My mum died and we are looked after by our dad.
Why did you want to be a community health worker?
I want to be a community health worker because I want to help my local people to live in a healthy environment and live a healthy lifestyle to keep them safe from diseases.
What does it mean for you to receive a The Kokoda Track Foundation scholarship?
It means that when I am sponsored by The Kokoda Track Foundation I must go back and help my local people along the track.
Lance Gray
(Efogi Village Kokoda Track)
 I come from a family where we never succeeded but anyway it’s an opportunity for me to stand out for my poor family and do something.
Why did you want to be a community health worker?
It came to my expectation, but anyway I just accept it as an opportunity in life. I really wanted to help my community because it is important that we live a healthy life.
What does it mean for you to receive a The Kokoda Track Foundation scholarship?
It means very, very important that I never expected of it. But thanks to The Kokoda Track Foundation scholarship for making this precious opportunity available.
Fred Jackson
(Efogi Village Kokoda Track)
 I’m from Efogi with 5 of us in the family. I’m the second born in the family. My families/ clans dominate the village of Efogi. My family owns the guest house for the tourist along the track. Born 19 November 1985.
Why did you want to be a community health worker?
I want to be a health worker because my village people have been suffering from health related problems and I’ve got the heart for my people.
What does it mean for you to receive a The Kokoda Track Foundation scholarship?
To receive The Kokoda Track Foundation scholarship means to be honest and trusted and the best in my studies to work hard and achieve what I’ve trained for. Overall to be the best student.
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