Workcamp Journal

Rohan Stocker has done a great job putting together the journal of the workcamp to Samoa. For a day-by-day rendition of the workcamp, along with the best photographs, check out this link.

Shortly after we arrived a journo from Talamua Media came to Mapuifagalele and interviewed a few of us, you can read the article here.

Some days later we received a visit from a journo from Samoa Newsline, which ran an article on Saturday of last week, that one is not on-line.

A couple of days later TV3 paid us a visit and interviewed a couple of us, we were told that the item appeared in the nightly news that day.

Our last encounter with the media took place last Friday when a journalist from Samoa Observer interviewed our foreman Matther (sorry, Mattehew) Saxby, you can read that article here.

A postscript on the media... a number of people had been reluctant to being interviewed or appear on photographs for the papers until a group of us walked into a sports bar to catch a glimpse of the Ashes during our break and, suddenly, a complete stranger offered to pay for a round of beer for all of us... he said, "you guys are famous and we need more people to do good stuff like you guys are doing..." Cheers!

Signs of life

Greetings from Samoa! We have been quite busy so it has been difficult to keep this blog up-to-date. However here are some photos to give you an idea of what has been happening:

Professor Tony Shannon and Nick Murphy repainting doors at Mapuifaigalele

Where most of our time is spent: on the roof!

The team with the Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese.

His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese with Professor Tony Shannon.

The team

Tony Shannon AM
Rohan Stocker
Lachlan Dally
Fr Joe Pro
Matt Saxby
Matt Sherratt
Dylan Vitucci
C-J Perrins
Daran Mahenthirarajah
Patrick Markey
Truman Biro
David Trench
Oli O'Sullivan
Tom McKeown
Nick Murphy
Arthur Escamilla

Less than 24hrs to go!

In November 2010, a group will be departing from Warrane College to undertake a development project in Apia, Samoa. The City of Apia is Samoa's capital and largest city. It is located on the central north coast of Upolo, Samoa's second largest island.

The project, which will involve refurbishing several buildings, is aimed at assisting the 'Little Sisters of the Poor' in Samoa. The sisters run an aged-care facility which accommodates and cares for hundreds of elderly people, particularly from poor areas of the country. The Little Sisters of the Poor receive no government funding but rely purely on good-will donations. It was, in fact, The Little Sisters of the Poor in Randwick, who, after experiencing the generosity of the college residents who regularly help out at the Retirement Home, asked us to go to Samoa.

If you are thinking about participating in the project or know someone who may want to, or simply would like to find out more about the Apia project in November, 2010, please submit an expression of interest by sending your details to the workcamp director at workcamp@warrane.unsw.edu.au.

The Samoan Manifesto

Workcamp 2010 – Apia, Samoa

Important Details for participants and their families

DEPARTURE AND RETURN DETAILS

Flight details:

SYDNEY to APIA
Flight No DJ93 (Pacific Blue)

Departing
Sydney Virgin Blue - T1
2135hrs (9.35pm), Fri 19 Nov 2010

Arriving
Faleolo International Airport, Apia
0600hrs (6.00am), Fri 19 Nov 2010

APIA to SYDNEY
Flight No DJ90 (Pacific Blue)

Departing
Faleolo International Airport, Apia
0800hrs (8.00am), Sun 12 Dec 2010

Arriving
Sydney Virgin Blue - T1
1120hrs (11.20am), Mon 13 Dec 2010

Departure:

On Friday 19 November we will leave College at 6:00pm.

If you are making your own way to the airport, go to International Departures (Terminal 1 or T1) and meet at the Virgin Blue counters.

We need to check-in together for the sake of the “group weight allowance” and to get seats together.

You must bring your passport and an additional photo ID to the check-in.

Return:

Back in Sydney on Monday 13 December at 11:20am.

We should clear customs and be ready to go by 12:30pm. Family members can check arrival details quoting the flight number (DJ90). For those going back to Warrane, there will be a College vehicle to pick us up.

OUR WHEREABOUTS

Accommodation venue

Moamoa Theological College
Moamoa Road
Apia
Samoa
Tel: +685 21 079
Fax: +685 25 718
**Phone calls from Australia only to be made to this phone if urgent**
Google Map
Person in charge: Father Faleniko

Work site

Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged
Tel = +685 2 26 36
Fax = +685 20 737
Google Map
Person in charge: Sister Rita

Contacting us while in Samoa

Mobile phone SIM cards cost about $30 Tala. You may want to buy one when we arrive in Samoa. Include this in your own spending budget.

Warrane point of communication during the Workcamp:

Dr. Phillip Elias
Tel 02 9313 0300
Mob 0431 858 328
email

SAFETY & MEDICAL

You should see what the Australian Government has to say about travelling to Samoa, here.

We have been in contact with the Australian High Commission in Samoa, so they are aware of our visit. However, it would be good to officially register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, you can do so at this link.

We will take a First Aid kit on the trip and will be taking extreme precaution with the handling of work tools and negotiating our way around work areas. Although unlikely, if there is any emergency that requires a doctor, there is a hospital close by. No work tasks will be undertaken without the necessary training, know-how and equipment. At the same time, all participants are expected to show common sense and personal responsibility at all times.

It is recommended that each participant brings some basic medical supplies (eg. Panadol, Imodium, Antiseptic cream, etc.) Please make sure you bring plenty of Aerogard/Rid insect repellent as the insect presence can be intense.

While our accommodation is safe and our belongings secure, you will need to take caution and be personally responsible for your belongings.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel Insurance is included in the Workcamp cost and by now you should have your insurance cover details. Bring a copy with you and email it to your parents as well.

Full details of the policy are found here.

FULL PAYMENT

By now everyone should have paid the $2,000 in full. If you haven’t, you must speak to Tom or Arthur A.S.A.P. The best method of payment is an electronic transfer into this account:

Account name: Workcamp Account
BSB: 032083
Account number: 216806
Reference: insert your name, please

PERSONAL FUNDRAISING

By now you should be well on the way to achieving the individual $500 fundraising target.

A good part of our work will be funded with this contribution. So, it is important to work hard to achieve it.

MONEY IN SAMOA

Samoan Tala (WST) is the local currency and, roughly, 1 AUD is equivalent to 2 WST.

You may choose to exchange some money before travelling. Look online and find the best time and place to change money.

In the past it has proven a good idea to put money on a travel card account such as Travelex, as you can withdraw in any currency and the rates are competitive.

For expenses, budget for about $200 AUD spending money.

ENTRY VISA AND DEPARTURE TAX

Ensure that you have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of return to Australia.

No visa is required for Australian passport holders.

Airport Departure Tax is $30 Tala - factor this in to spending money.

WEATHER

It will be hot and humid, expect rain. Average temperature at night will be 24C and 29C during the day.

TRANSPORT AND EXCURSIONS

Apart from plane, most of our travel in Apia will be by bus on bumpy roads.

One day each week and three days before we come back we will explore the beauty of Samoa, at this stage the plan is to go to the island of Upolu.

There will also be excursions some afternoons.

We can try to hire bikes to go exploring, you will need to budget for this separately.

T-SHIRTS

T-Shirts will cost $10 and will be delivered some days before our departure. See Tom McK or Paddy Allan for more information.

THINGS TO BRING - CHECKLIST

Pack light! – it makes things a lot easier and you will only use half the gear you bring!

The maximum weight of checked luggage is 20kg. Ensure that your luggage is less than 20kg - we are expecting a donation of LCD monitors, if we get it, we will take the monitors as part of our luggage! Carry-on allowance is 7kg.

Clothes:

Work clothes, 3 or 4 sets
Clothes for after work
Socks and underwear
One set of respectable clothes for important occasions (collared shirt and either trousers or long shorts).
Jumper / tracksuit / waterproof parka / raincoat
Long pants
Work shoes and another pair of shoes
Old shoes able to be ruined – to use in water holes, rivers etc.
Thongs
Swimmers or board shorts

Personal items:

Bag: avoid cumbersome luggage – try to bring a good backpack/haversack. As well as this, bring a small carry bag for short trips.

Toiletries

Two towels and a tea towel

Sunglasses

Sun hat or cap (broad-rimmed is encouraged)

Sunscreen

Medical supplies, such as: Insect repellant (RID tropical strength is the best), paracetamol, band-aid, Imodioum, sting relief

A small bag of washing powder for clothes

Mosquito net (advisable)

Sleeping bag, small pillow / cushion. We will be given mattresses, so there is no need to bring sleeping mats.

Eating utensils: dinner plate, bowl, cup, mug, knife, fork, spoon (do not pack these in hand luggage)

Water bottle

Torch & Batteries (and back-up batteries)

Plastic bags (for garbage, dirty clothes etc.)

Reading material

Money pouch / wallet / Passport / photocopies of passport, insurance and itinerary

Spending money

Work tools:
Work gloves (1 pair)

Two paint brushes (at least 10cm wide)

Other tools you have collected

Other:
Gifts for two children (a small toy, clothes or the like)

children’s book or colouring-in book (if so, also colour pencils); best if an Aussie book (if possible)

Snorkeling gear (recommended)

Rash vest (recommended)

Pocket knife (if you have one)

You may want to bring a camera as there are plenty of photo opportunities. If you are bringing one, bear in mind the risks involved and the need to be careful.

Travel Insurance is included in the Workcamp Package. Details of our insurance provider will be published on this page once it has been finalised.

Participants will be asked to commit to a program of preliminary community service and fundraising activities, in order to prepare ourselves for the experience in Samoa and to raise the necessary funds. Furthermore, each participant will have a small responsibility for organising an activity and undertaking a specific organisational job on the project.

Samoa Club: Samoa Club is a weekly activity we will hold on Wednesday evenings (at this stage) starting on 18th August. The meetings will consist of updates, information, discussion and organisation of fundraising activities as well as learning some basic Samoan words and phrases. The locals are really impressed when you can speak a little bit of their language!

Warrane College Workcamp Samoa 2010

Samoa