Photo gallery: Kiribati
870
653
100
50
true
true
true
Celebrating 20 years in Kiribati
As part of the celebrations to mark 20 years since the sisters arrived in Kiribati, three Australian Good Samaritan Sisters visited Kiribati in May. Pictured back row L-R: Sisters Cecilie Eastaughffe, Veronica Griffith and Patty Fawkner (from Australia) with Sisters Ameria Etuare, Marella Regbetz and Marie O'Shea. Front row L-R: Pre-novice Tuata Terawete and Sisters Judy Margetts, Kakare Biita, Teubwaniman Akerio and Tibwau Matia.
Ritual marks 20 years in Kiribati
During a special ritual to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Good Samaritan Sisters in Kiribati, Sister Tibwau Matia pours oil and wine over the globe. In the parable of the Good Samaritan the traveller pours oil and wine into the wounds of the roadside victim.
First Good Sam to minister in Kiribati
In 1991 Veronica McCluskie was the first Good Samaritan Sister to minister in Kiribati at the invitation of the local bishop, Paul Mea MSC.
Independence Day celebrations
Kiribati Independence Day is celebrated on July 12. In 1979 the Republic of Kiribati gained independence from the United Kingdom.
Beautiful but vulnerable
Kiribati is a beautiful island nation but it also faces some weighty challenges. In the long-term, rising sea levels caused by global warming will force the I-Kiribati people to relocate from their homeland.
Bikenibeu parish from the air
Kiribati consists of 33 low-lying coral atolls in three main groups. Its small land mass is spread across a vast area along the Equator in the Pacific Ocean.
Healthy coral systems vital
Fish is the main food for I-Kiribati people. If the coral reefs are healthy then fish life is more abundant. However, global warming is threatening coral reefs.
Transport Kiribati style
Boats are a very common mode of transport in Kiribati.
Preparing for boat trip home
Sisters Marie O'Shea (far left), Kakare Biita and Tibwau Matia prepare for the boat trip back to Abaokoro on North Tarawa.
Providing pre-school opportunities
Opened in 2009, the Good Samaritan Early Childhood Centre provides pre-school opportunities for children from Abaokoro and neighbouring villages on North Tarawa.
Many ways to learn
Sisters Tibwau Matia (pictured left), Kakare Biita (right) and Marie O'Shea are providing children with vital educational experiences through play, social interaction and the creative arts.
Children are vulnerable in Kiribati
Infant and under 5 child mortality rates in Kiribati are among the highest in the Pacific region. Many children still die from preventable causes.
First Good Sam compost toilet
During her visit to Kiribati, Sister Patty Fawkner 'opened' the new compost toilet in the grounds of the Good Samaritan Early Childhood Centre. Over-population and inadequate sanitation systems in Kiribati are contaminating water wells, resulting in illness and even death.
Judy with Good Samaritan inquirers
Sister Judy Margetts, pictured with some young I-Kiribati women, has been ministering in Kiribati for nearly 15 years and is the longest-serving Australian Good Samaritan Sister.
First I-Kiribati final profession
Ameria Etuare became the first I-Kiribati woman to make her life vows as a Good Samaritan Sister in 2009.
Ameria with Year 5 students
Sister Ameria Etuare is a teacher at one of the government primary schools on South Tarawa.
Marella at work
For the past few years Sister Marella Regbetz has worked as a water engineer on government aid projects helping to address Kiribati’s critical water needs.
Teubwaniman hopes to study nursing
Sister Teubwaniman was professed in April 2010 and is doing Form Six Science at St Louis High School. Next year she hopes to enrol at the Kiribati School of Nursing.
Community outreach
The Good Samaritan Sisters and their colleagues offer pastoral support and faith opportunities to many 'house-bound' members of the community, including people with disabilities, widows and the elderly.
Community outreach
The sisters also visit and provide care for patients with mental illnesses at the hospital on South Tarawa. Good Samaritan pre-novice Tuata Terawete offers people a drink.
Celebrating renewal of vows
Sister Kakare Biita, who renewed her vows in May this year, is 'crowned' by Tibwau.
Visitors arrive at Tarawa
Sisters Judy Margetts, Cecilie Eastaughffe, Tuata Terawete, Veronica Griffith and Teubwaniman Akerio.
Australians in Kiribati
Chapter facilitator Kathleen Hughes (second left) and Sisters Cecilie Eastaughffe, Patty Fawkner and Veronica Griffith visited Kiribati in May
A cultural welcome
Sisters Kakare Biita and Tibwau Matia welcome Australian Good Samaritan Sister Cecilie Eastaughffe to the Abaokoro community.
Housing Kiribati style
Kiribati is situated on the Equator so temperatures are warm and very humid throughout the year. The kia-kia, a traditional bungalow, is ideal for this climate.