REPORT ON PERWAKIN (NCF) INDONESIA 2ND CONFERENCE - 13-16 OCTOBER 2011
The Conference was held at Makassar, South Sulawesi. Perwakin Nurses, and Pastor Bigman, (the founder of
Makedonia Sekolah in Ngabang, Landak, and Kalimantan, Indonesia attended. NCFI PACEA Region had previously
been involved in Kalimantan (from 2007) with a Caring and Service, Church-based Community Primary Health Care
Education for Lay People known as the "CPHELP Project". The Conference Theme: Christian Character in Nursing saw
sixty six nurses from Jakarta, East Java, South and North Sulawesi present. They received God's blessings from the
Word of God, from the active/ expert plenary speakers; renewing of friendships, and warm fellowship. The singing during
the praise and worship part of the program was so reviving, refreshing and enjoyable. Hearing short stories,
giving participants' reflection, asking questions and discussion made the days meaningful and fruitful.
Some participants do face many challenges working in settings like Christian school of nursing where Christian nursing students were a minority among other constraints.
Summary of activities of the conference:
The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Indonesian Nursing Association, Director of a Hospital who was also a nurse, the Governor of South Sulawesi and students from a Bible School, and nursing students. These students rendered special songs. The Welcome Message given by he governor was encouraging and uplifting for the Perwakins. He challenged the nurses in his province to join the Perwakin. Of course he promoted Tarija an old, old city with very rich in culture and traditions. Then the Word of God was preached by Pastor Bagman who shared the relevance of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 and related it to the Character of Christian Nurses. That we should be "doers of God's Word", we should walk the talk... The next day, was very hectic though and was started by heaven-like praise and worship, then a devotional message was given by an Indonesian Pastor, Pastor Palayanan Firman. One reflection learned from the message was, "AS a Christian nurse...I must show to people...that heaven is present in my life. My faith in God speaks about who I am and what I do for the Lord through my profession". Then it was followed by Rumah Subakti, an expert in Infectious Control Management, one of the advisers of Perwakin, NCF. She presented the result of a survey on the characteristics of Christian nurses. Another energetic Christian nurse Ibu Budi, one of the pioneers of Perwakin and adviser shared Character of a Christian Nurse in Nursing Practice. Then Nurmasih, a HCF full time staff member, gave a very detailed presentation of the Biblical Foundation of Faith, "Who is a Christian Nurse. What makes you a Christian?"
In the afternoon; Alicia shared the Character of Christian Nurse in Practice while Swee Eng talked about cultivating Christian Character in nursing practice. They were blessed with the presentation and were very participative during the interactive discussion. Swee Eng shared her experiences and testimony as a nurse manager, and how she cultivated Christian character among her staff.
One highlight of the conference was the dedication ceremony on the last day for new members and officers of Perwakin NCF-South east and North East Sulawesi chapter. What a privilege to be part of those who prayed, and laid hands on these brothers and sisters.
Both Alicia and Swee Eng also had an opportunity to visit a school of Pak Aka and his wife Julianus, Perwakin NCF member in Makassar and host of the 2nd National Conference. They owned five schools. A visit was made to one of the school of midwifery with 700 students. The observation was that the academic building was too small, with inadequate ventilation. They have a piece of land and still working on their papers and waiting for the approval of the government to approve their permit to construct a school in this site. Let's remember them in prayer, for God's favour will be upon them. So they can provide a comfortable, efficient and quality education for the students.
The overall impression of the conference and other activities taken place in just 4 days' visit was very rewarding because both Alicia and Swee Eng are witnesses to the fast growing number of nurses who are willing to be members of Perwakin, launched in 2003. Both speakers were blessed by the Christian nurses' hospitality during their stay in Jakarta and Makassar. It is heartening to know that Christian nurses across different care settings and parts of Indonesia saw the importance of coming together to learn and fellowship. Invitations were given to both speakers to come back to Indonesia to teach nurses. There is room for more NCF members to be part of the team to encourage these nurses in Indonesia.
Alicia Banās and Swee Eng also had the opportunity to talk to with nursing students from level 1 to level III at Cikini Nursing Academy, Jakarta Indonesia. About 60-70 students together with Ms Ramondang, the Principal of the school, and other teachers, gathered at the school lecture hall to hear about Palliative Care in the Home and Community Health Nursing: the Philippine setting.
Alicia gave a brief description of the health status of Philippines as well as the global health situation. She shared on the current scenario of nursing practice and situation of nurses in the Philippines, particularly the need for more nurses to work in the rural and remote communities. Swee Eng shared experiences in caring for the terminally-ill patients. The students were all listening attentively, and enthusiastically. There were three courageous students who spoke English and asked very good questions.
Report by:
Alicia Banas, Philippines NCF
Goh Swee Eng, NCFI Board Member
October 25, 2011