She was on her way down the mountain in PNG, when ...

Posted by Michael Milston on Dec 05, 2016

Breaking News:
We have just learnt that Elvis Ukato, from Kanga in the mountains of PNG (see story below), has made a full recovery from his bowel surgery in Port Moresby and will be on his way home this Thursday (8 December 2016) morning. The operation has been successful to provide him with a working anus and his life expectancy is now as high as any other child.

The Story as reported on 22 October 2016:
This story, told on our recent Governor's Club Visit, is as much about a little boy as it is about a Rotarian not only serving humanity, but also providing service above self. I wanted to share it with you ...

"So I am on my way down the mountain in PNG, being escorted by Jessie, the Principal of Kanga Primary School which my RAWCS Project “Teachers Assist Kokoda” had helped equip some years ago. Out of the blue Jessie starts telling me about this little almost 2 year old boy in the village. He was born with no anus. His mother didn’t realise something was wrong until his stomach began to bloat.

Emergency surgery resulted in him having a stoma hole (no equipment or money for bags, etc). She tells me he is now needing to push his faeces out by manipulating the intestines – during this process, part of the stomach comes out and he has to push it back in. She has promised to ask her Australian friends, me and the team, if they can help.

I am gob-smacked! Medical help I have never tried to provide. I am not a nurse or a doctor. I train teachers. But, of course, as Rotarians do, I say, “I’ll do my best for you!” at the time thinking that the likelihood of me being able to make a difference are pretty slim.
What happens next? Is there any help available? ...

So, in Australia the search began. ROMAC – no he would not qualify. Wendy’s Doctor Program – can’t get hold of her. A medical vessel off the north coast of PNG – no, they only do teeth. The American Medical Aid Program which my friend, Dr Bill Walker is involved with – no, they are not in this area. But a College of Surgeons in Melbourne has trained some doctors in PNG to operate out of Port Moresby Hospital. A few more emails and we are in contact!! Yes, there is a surgeon, fully qualified for just this type of problem. And yes, he would like to see him.

End of story is – his name is Elvis by the way – he was operated on 20th September [this year] and, if you can understand the technical terms, it seems that, after a 7 hour operation, he will be in hospital for a long time, but, after about 6 to 8 weeks, the stoma hole will probably be sealed up as his new anus, colon, bowel combination works fully. His airfares were donated by the airline. His hospital fees were covered by a generous business in Port Moresby. The surgeon and anesthetist services were free.

Had it not been for my co-worker Libby and the support of my Rotary Club of Junee friends, I may not have been so determined to make this difference, so thank you to all of them. And, because we were told of Elvis’ problems on the way away from the village, there is not a photo to show – maybe later.

I live by the motto “It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you. It’s what you leave behind you when you go.” For this I feel humbly proud.

Trish Davies, Rotary Club of Junee"

Trish, on behalf of our district I thank you, all the other Rotarians who have not given up in their quest to improve lives in our global community