Br Desmond is reaching out on the Kokoda Trail though the Network of Callan Services.

Brother Desmond Taboeya of Callan Services in Papua New Guinea, is not only more than competent in his field of ear and eye care - but he is also very fit! 

The Network of Callan Services - established by the Christian Brothers to support and address the medical needs of differently abled locals - has been going strong since 1991. The Network provides hearing, vision, health and social services aimed at working for inclusive outcomes for its recipients.

 Br Desmond, along with his Callan Services colleagues, is involved with a partnership between the Kokoda Initiative and Callan Services for Disabled Persons National Unit in the Maternal and Child Health Program.

 The purpose of this partnership is to survey the prevalence of disability issues in the Sogeri, Kokoda and Mt Koiari catchment. This involves lengthy treks on foot lugging all the equipment and setting up camp when night falls.

 Callan Services National Unit, a leading agency with technical capacity in disabilities, was invited by Kokoda Initiative funded by the Australian Government to participate in this important program. As well as the survey, it involves conducting disability awareness, eye and ear health checks and screening for physical and learning difficulties in elementary and primary school children and their communities.

 Basic health and education services are established at central places for the population to access. Nearly all health and education services are being fully supported by partners, specifically Kokoda Initiative through the Australian Government.

 General health care for the entire population within the Kokoda catchment has been covered well by Health Officers and Village Health Volunteers. But specialist areas need more attention in terms of establishing an effect referral pathway to established partners where children and adults identified with ear/hearing and eye/vision and other disabilities receive quality services. 

The people along the Kokoda Track are grateful of this service. For many it is the first time for having their hearing and vision checked.

Br Desmond Taboeya and the Network of Callan Services

Br Desmond Taboeya doing refraction in Daoi village, Mt Koiari with a child with low vision. This child was referred to an eye specialist in Port Moresby due to a congenital vision problem being detected.

Br Desmond Taboeya and the Network of Callan Services

A day’s walk up the terrain to visit the last schools and community in Abuari, Kokoda .

From left to right:

Jerol (Village Health Volunteer), Larrissa Molai (Kokoda Initiative Officer) and Br Desmond Taboeya

Br Desmond Taboeya prescribes for an elementary school student.

The beauty of creation! After walking up the mountain and enduring such tough terrain, the group arrives in a most beautiful place!

In Kagi, Mt Koiari catchment along the Kokoda Track, Br Desmond Taboeya conducts “ear mopping” for a child with discharge.

"We are a national, cross-disability Network. We attempt to respond to the needs of people with all kinds of disability"

~ Network of Callan Services

In 2015 the Network of Callan Services for Persons with Disabilities marked its 25 years of silver jubilee, for services provided in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the health and education sector. The video below is courtesy of emtv in Papua New Guinea.