The Good Neighbour Group

The Good Neighbour Group, working out of the Mundubbera Baptist Church took on a new project this year. Late last year, midwives Debbie Butters and Kym Robinson, from the Hervey Bay Baptist church visited. They spoke of their ongoing commitment to the Healthy Motherhood Project in Anguganak, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Each year, except this one due to COVID-19 restrictions, they visit and spend time teaching, training and supporting the health centre.

Women are encouraged to have their babies safely in the health centre, and women walk up to three hours to come. They are given incentives, such as a gift of a baby wrap, a knitted bear, a baby beanie and a sanitary bag with product, all in a shoulder bag.

There is currently a huge water tank project also going on to supply running water to the hospital.

This year, with all the restrictions, the Good Neighbour group has had few face to face meet ups, but everyone has been working at home. We have put together sewed and knitted collections of 355 items, filling 3 suitcases. On the weekend, Debbie Butters and Kym Robinson visited Mundubbera, and the handiwork of the Good Neighbour Group was given to them during the church service.

It was a wonderful visit with Deb and Kim, who were able to collect all the gifts for PNG mums and bubs. Thanks to our amazing church ladies who dedicated many hours sewing and knitting to make this happen (and there were even more ladies involved who couldn’t be here this weekend)…we can’t wait to see how God uses it all!

Sue Lederhose and her team of helpers made hundreds of bags, baby blankets teddies and beanies to go in the baby bundles that encourage women to seek safer supervised childbirth at Anguganak Health Centre.

These items will be part of the baby bundles going in the container to PNG in 4 weeks time.

Do you have a story from your church or community group? We would love to hear from you at marketing@qb.org.au