Brenda Keenan, Director of Catholic Education Port Pirie, tells how the journey began and where to for the future
On Tuesday evening the 7 July, ‘Team Kiribati’ from the Port Pirie Diocese departed for the remote village of Abaokoro in the Republic of Kiribati. With an enormous amount of luggage including; tents, computers, curriculum resources, sporting goods and medical supplies safely stowed underneath the plane, our amazing journey began. Actually the journey (or the planning for the journey) began about two years ago.
In May 2015 as part of the 125 years celebrations of the Good Sams in the diocese, Bishop Gregory O’Kelly SJ, Catholic Education in the Diocese of Port Pirie and the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict established a partnership agreement enabling staff from our diocesan schools to engage in a ‘two-way’ outreach experience in Kiribati.
During Term 3, 2015 an invitation was extended for a staff member from each school across the Diocese of Port Pirie to participate in the first of our Social Justice Outreach Experiences to the village of Abaokoro in the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced Kir-ee-bas) in July 2016.
Kiribati is situated on the Equator and consists of three main groups of islands thousands of kilometers from each other. South Tarawa, the capital and seat of government, has 50% of the population, about 50,000 people. South Tarawa is about 25 kilometers long and consists of thin strips of land (400-900 meters wide) connected by causeways. It is like a necklace of islands. Villages run one into the other along the main road which is like a spine running the length of the island. Tarawa is an atoll with a big fish-filled lagoon. The village of Abaokoro is one and a half hour canoe ride across the lagoon to other side of the atoll.
Abaokoro was our destination where the I-Kiribati Sisters of the Good Samaritan provide an Early Learning Centre for the children. A small government primary school, junior secondary school and a medical clinic are located close to the Good Samaritan Early Learning Centre. The inaugural 2016 outreach program took place over the Term 2 holiday period.
Brenda Keenan led the Kiribati Outreach experience. Father Brian Mathews, Parish Priest of Coober Pedy accompanied ‘Team Kiribati’ on their journey. Father Brian already knew the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in Kiribati. He, along with a number of parishioners from St Mary of the Angels Parish in Port Lincoln, had visited Abaokoro, for the purposes of supporting the ongoing ministry of the Good Samaritan Sisters; e.g. installing solar power (panels and batteries) to provide a consistent power source for the Good Samaritan Centre, providing new window screens for the Good Samaritan residence, designing and constructing a covered walkway between buildings, digging and laying water pipes for a new drainage system. The significant work undertaken (including teaching at the Early Learning Centre and nearby Primary School) and the relationships established has been nothing short of outstanding.
There are many factors that compete for attention in our Port Pirie schools and the daily reality of school life and the energy which it calls forth from staff, some of whom experience the added challenge of working in isolation in smaller schools, is ever increasing.
Click to read more about Vision for the Kiribati Outreach experience
Intergenerational playgroups are truly something special — an experience that enriches the lives of both the young and the older members of our community. These playgroups are more than just a space for children to play; they are a vital platform for different generations to come together, share wisdom, and build meaningful relationships.
