After an uneventful sail, the MV YWAM KOHA has arrived in Suva, Fiji.

'The ship is now at anchor as the crew prepares for welcoming ceremonies this week,” says YWAM Ships Aotearoa director Marty Emmett.

'Our first outreach is scheduled on Kadavu Island, beginning June 3.

The Tauranga-based medical aid ship left Tauranga on its second voyage to Fiji on May 12, following months of preparation.

With the 2023 theme being ‘Go Again Better', Marty says they aim to accomplish even more than last time.

'We hope to be more effective and efficient in empowering health as we partner with health professionals in Fiji. We learnt a lot last year about deploying this vessel and are eager to sharpen our skills and methods.”

After three-and-a-half years of dreaming and working towards the goal of using a ship to empower health in the isolated communities of the Pacific this aspiration became a reality as the YWAM KOHA deployed to Fiji on its maiden voyage in 2022.

'While the ship is in Fiji, the local dental work of Trinity Koha Dental Clinic is busy serving seasonal workers here in the Western Bay of Plenty."

YWAM Ships Aotearoa began using their mobile units about two years ago to treat Bay of Plenty locals in urgent need of dental care after Covid -19 prevented their ship from sailing to remote Pacific Island villages to fulfil its original mission.

What became known as the ‘Trinity Koha Dental Clinic' has subsequently treated 1882 patients from across the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and East Coast (including Katikati, Judea, Bethlehem, Papamoa, Kawerau and Rotorua).

'We are extremely grateful for all of you who have volunteered and supported these efforts. We are truly a team of hundreds and hundreds of amazing people.

From general and medical volunteers to deck crew and captains, thank you. We are beyond excited to be going again and together empowering a healthy future for the Pacific.”