Location 4: Bunaken village, Bunaken island

We headed to Manado today to catch a boat to the island of Bunaken. We went to the local port which I must say has improved in the last 10 years, although there is rubbish in parts, the smell of the sewer is gone and so have the wild pigs, so I guess that’s something. We boarded a tiny little boat, the team was a little hesitant, however I reassured them that the island people would keep us safe. After a 45 min ride we arrived. The tide was out so we waded to shore. The water was so warm. We settled at our family friends bungalows called ‘Sea breeze’ and had some lunch.

About 3pm we ventured to the village of Bunaken. Not really knowing what to expect of the people, I felt nervous that perhaps these people had been exposed to many westerners in there village wanting to help, due to it being a tourist destination. However, I was wrong.

Dr Levi had organized a meeting with the head of the village Caka (Chaka) we called him the chief. I spoke to him about our idea and what we would love to bring to Bunaken Village. He responded with nothing but positive energy and said he would love us to come and provide care as well as education. He said that skin cancer is the biggest problem in the village due to them being fisherman and on the island, then cataracts. He also said that they have no treatment for cancer except alternative therapies, due to it being expensive and no access to medication.  I said do people have the money or any access to sunscreen and he laughed and said it was not a priority, food is! He also said there is a government health care clinic but it is not always manned with a doctor and the equipment is basic. If someone falls ills and need to be taken to Manado by boats it can be up to 400,000Rph one way, which for most is almost a months wage.

The chief offered the meeting house, across the road from his house. This location is the best we have seen, large, clean, tiled and open air, and central. This location is 30 feet by 40 feet. It also has two side rooms. The chief then said thank you and was happy for “Learn to Live”.

As we finished our meeting with the chief, there was suddenly some commotion on the main road. We were quickly ushered towards the group of people. I saw a woman being carried in a wheel chair screaming. The chief quickly told me this was a woman how had recently had a mastectomy however was not recovering at all. The people were all around her and quickly hurried her to the beach. They tried to get her on to the boat in the wheel chair with no success. She was screaming and her body was tort with pain, she was then lifted out of her wheel chair and lay on a mattress in the middle of the boat. Her pain was resonating through everyone standing on the beach. Perhaps she didn’t have to be in that pain, if there were correct medications, perhaps she could have had proper treatment post op. This for me was one of the most helpless situations I had ever been in. To many questions unanswered.  Then she was gone, and out at sea on her way to Manado. Learn to Live will be back here next year.