Staff volunteer to help the needy in Africa

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By Candace Davis
March 22, 2007 EAST

Last year, Mater Engineering employee Graham Carter and his wife Sue volunteered to help the poor and disadvantaged in Uganda. Many of you may remember their Encounters in Entebbe updates published regularly in Mater News.

Since returning to Brisbane in late December, they both witnessed a strong desire from Australians to continue helping those less fortunate in Africa. In fact, Graham said he and Sue had been overwhelmed by offers of assistance.

“Australians seem to have an inbuilt sense of Mercy and Commitment to helping people in need, whether in our own backyard or across the other side of the world. And I think that those sentiments are no more prevalent than here at the Mater,” Graham said.

“Recently, when I put out the word that we were sending a container load of used medical equipment to Uganda, I received dozens of offers of help from many different departments and individuals here at Mater. Having seen first hand, the poor condition of some of the hospitals where this equipment is headed, I know that the impact of this container (on the average Ugandan who is unfortunate enough to find themself hospitalised) could well mean the difference between life and death.”

The container was an initiative of Director of Engineering and Environmental Services Ian Schuster, who along with the Director of Group Supply Services Terry Van Der Ham, liaised with DHL to supply and ship the container (free of charge) to the nearest African sea port.

Items included old medical equipment, used linen, wheelchairs, beds, trolleys, toys and clothes.

May 07, 2008 EAST. Webmaster

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