Kiribati

“You were interested to know some of the health issues here in Kiribati. The outer island where 2/3 of the population live are traditionally healthy…

On South Tarawa, the capital island, people are eating a lot of imported foodstuffs and this is resulting in obesity and non communicable diseases including cardiac problems, diabetes, and stroke. Unfortunately many outer islands obtain imported foodstuffs so their diets and it's ramifications are becoming apparent throughout the Republic….

Marakei is a small island atoll in Kiribati, this atoll has a population of about 2,500 people. There is no electricity, phones, running water or sewage system. All of the houses are simple thatched huts made out of coconut trees. We recently received a request from a Peace Corp volunteer for reading books, shoes and sports equipment. In late May, shoes, book, soccer and volleyballs were shipped to Marakei.

Our second shipment of rehabilitation equipment (April 2005) included walking frames, crutches, a child’s mobility buggie and foam mattresses.

Kiribati is made up of 33 low lying coral atolls spread out over the equator. Tarawa, on which the capital Bairiki is located, is the most heavily populated (over 30,000) of the 21 inhabited islands. The population is of a young age (median 19 years); working closely with volunteers from a local organisation The Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles of New Zealand is trying to assist them in providing health education and recreation for this young populatio

In July 2004 a request was received from the HIV/AIDS taskforce. This taskforce is a volunteer organisation trying to bring awareness of HIV/AIDS to the greater community in Kiribati, in addition to assisting people living with this disease and their familie

To increase awareness of this disease, the taskforce held a soccer tournament—a game hugely popular in the islands—on World AIDS Day, December 1st. To do this they first needed soccer balls, banner materials and trophies. These were some of the items that were sent in our first shipment in August 2004.