A medical aid mission to Fiji powered by the generosity of Bay of Plenty residents is now underway, with the M/V YWAM KOHA sailing out of Tauranga Harbour today to empower a healthy future for thousands of people in need.

The former cargo vessel is deploying to far-flung islands surrounding Fiji's mainland to deliver free dental and optometry services at a cost of over $700,000.

'All of this has been funded privately through donations from businesses, churches and individuals,” says YWAM Managing Director Marty Emmett.

'It's a koha from the people of New Zealand to the people of Fiji to make life a little better for those less fortunate than ourselves.”

M/V YWAM KOHA is operated by the Tauranga Moana-based Christian aid organisation YWAM Ships Aotearoa (Youth With A Mission), and Emmett is astounded by the willingness of people to help.

'Our platinum partner, Trinity Lands, has doubled their support for this financial year which has allowed us to upgrade the ship's safety systems and other equipment. We've seen about $100,000 donated from Bay of Plenty families and local businesses in the last month alone which is incredible.

'Lots of companies are keen to develop their environmental and social conscience and we would love to work with them. Swire Shipping New Zealand recently became a corporate partner. Their first major act was to furnish the ship with two new anchor chains, as the ones on the vessel were in poor condition. We are so grateful for Swire Shipping's support, as well as all the other partners who have enabled our aspiration of deploying again in 2023 to become a reality.”

M/V YWAM KOHA's inaugural mission to Fiji last year resulted in the ship's primary health teams treating 578 patients.

Almost 1000 rotten teeth were extracted and over 300 more were restored. Education and prevention was a major focus, with toothbrushing demonstrations carried out in dozens of village schools and over 3000 toothbrushes and toothpaste handed out.

About one third of the 120 volunteers on board for this second deployment are Bay of Plenty residents, with remaining crew coming from across New Zealand, Australia and as far away as Denmark.

'We need medical staff obviously but it also takes a lot of people to run a ship – from the captain through to the deck team, cooks and hospitality team on board.”

This new mission is much longer than last year, with volunteers spending a total of 13 weeks delivering outreach care to remote island villages over a five month period.

'It will be mainly dental services but we're also pioneering a new optometry clinic to deliver prescription glasses which will be life-changing for many people.”

Emmett says the organisation's theme this year is to "go again better".

'Last year we really went as students. We went to learn, to partner, and to build relationships. We want to go back this year and do better – be more effective, more efficient and help more people.”

YWAM Ships is in process of forming a 10-year partnership with the Fijian Government to provide medical aid missions to the region, and the organisation is working with the country's Ministry of Health.

'We're going to the remote places… the places only boats can reach. Fiji's oral health leaders are very keen to be involved and we know we can make an enormous difference to people's lives as the need is massive.

'Last year we delivered over 2000 individual services and this year we would love to double that. It would be a dream to deliver over 4000 services and we definitely have capacity to bless thousands of people. It's really exciting to see M/V YWAM KOHA set sail again, knowing the impact we can make.”

YWAM Ships Aotearoa is driven by an aspirational dream of empowering health throughout the Pacific. This dream is funded by the generosity of hundreds of like-minded partners.

If you want to join this team in making an impact in the lives of thousands of people, both here in Aotearoa and in the Pacific, you can go to our website to give at www.ywamshipsaotearoa.org.nz/donate/