Youth with a Mission Ships NZ is appealing for help to save its medical aid ship after an issue with the tailshaft has left it stranded in Lautoka, Fiji, needing urgent repairs. 

The ‘YWAM Koha’ ship and its crew of volunteers were providing much needed medical aid to isolated communities in Fiji when an issue with a bearing in the tailshaft was discovered. 

The YWAM Koha, which has two dental clinics on board, needs to be urgently dry docked and repaired, leaving the organisation with a $300,000 bill. 

YWAM Ships Managing Director, Marty Emmett, says YWAM Ships runs on the generosity of people who freely donate their time and expertise. He says the organisation is able to pay $100,000, leaving a $200,000 shortfall which is needed by the end of November. 

YWAM Ships Managing Director, Marty Emmett. Photo: Supplied.

“In just two years in Fiji, we’ve been able to serve more than 5000 people by bringing healthcare services to people in need in isolated islands, where something as simple as a trip to the dentist is out of the question for most people. 

“We feel like we've just got started and there are so many more people in need that we want to reach across the Pacific.

"We know it’s a big ask for New Zealanders right now, but if enough people chip in we can get our ship fixed so we can get to them."

Marty says the good news is that Trinity Lands has generously offered to match every donation up to $100,000 "so your donation effectively doubles".

Dentists donating their time to help people with free dental care. Photo: Supplied.

The YWAM Koha was originally built in 1968 in Germany as a buoy tender and was used as a ferry between NZ and Pitcairn Island before being gifted to YWAM Ships NZ in 2019 as a gift—hence the name ‘Koha’. 

The ship is 48m long and is fitted with two dental clinics and equipment to set up pop-up clinics on land, and is based in Tauranga. 

The YWAM Koha, on deployment in Fiji. Photo: Supplied.

During Covid, while borders were closed, YWAM ships pioneered a free dental clinic in New Zealand communities experiencing poverty, providing free dental care and oral health education to more than 3000 kiwis in need. 

Marty says this is something they’re keen to continue. 

“People tell us ‘I can eat now. I can sleep now. I can go get a job now and get off the benefit. I have my confidence restored. But the greatest thing we hear is ‘I can smile again’. We’re seeing people smiling at each other again, including communities that have had generations of gang involvement. 

“I think we're best as kiwis when we’re looking  after our communities and neighbours in need. 

“This is an awesome opportunity to give to an outreach that provides immediate and measurable impacts to people’s lives. What’s more, because we all volunteer our time for free you can be confident that 100 per cent of your donation will go towards the ship.”

To donate, head to saveourship.nz