ON A holiday trek to Papua New Guinea a decade ago, Taylors Beach grandmother Wendy Stein saw firsthand the death of women and children.
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The visit triggered the start of a national campaign to deliver family planning programs to save lives.
Today, backed by the Rotary Club of Salamander Bay, the work in PNG has become a life-consuming activity for Mrs Stein, who it seems will go to any lengths to follow through on the national plan of action.
Her latest venture is testament to just how far Mrs Stein will go - purchasing from her own pocket a 13-metre Sharpie cruiser, valued at about $200,000.
"There are 160 islands in remote PNG which can only be reached by sea where locals have had little or no contact with the outside world," Mrs Stein said.
"This vessel will be used as a floating medical clinic, fully stocked with medical equipment to treat people for illnesses, dispense medication and even help with births."
Mrs Stein said that in the four years the Rotary family planning program had been working with PNG's Department of Health, contraceptives had been successfully implanted in about 40,000 women and girls.
"We have averted 14,500 abortions, 1870 child deaths, 140 maternal deaths and in excess of 100,000 unintended pregnancies," Mrs Stein said.
A crew of four including Wendy's husband Brian and son Tristan will embark on the three-week journey to PNG, where the vessel will remain for at least 12 months hosting volunteer doctors and medics from all over the world.
To help fund the trip, Salamander Bay Rotary in conjunction with The Anchorage resort and marina will hold a cocktail party at The Anchorage on Tuesday, November 10, from 6.30pm.
The cost is $35 a person which includes finger food and bar.
