Bubu Mei from avosa stories on Vimeo.
You cannot lead where you will not go; you cannot teach what you do not know; what you do not have you cannot give; you can't share a life you refuse to live.
Dr Lin Calvert, a woman of great commitment, especially to her patients, lived by these principles. She was always available. Even on the day of her husband Peter’s funeral in 1982, she didn’t neglect her patients at the Kapuna Hospital, going on ward rounds before and after.
She was passionate about helping birthing mothers and attended every delivery she could. She taught nursing students in the classroom five days a week, and clinically in the wards seven days a week. She has chosen to live simply and enjoys local produce, much out of her own garden (her pineapples and bananas are legendary). Her daily routines of wards, devotions and classroom are interspersed with her love for gardens (and hatred of weeds) and her love of reading (especially aloud to children) and keeping up-to-date with medical journals.
She is often asked to speak at PNG medical conferences and speaks with authority on simple medical procedures and old medicines that are no longer in use. Many have enjoyed her fresh approach to medicine.
She has been honoured by the PNG government for services to Papua New Guinea, and has received Queen’s honours and NZ service awards. The Royal Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society honoured her with life membership - see here.
After sixty-four years working at Kapuna Hospital in the remote jungle swamplands of Papua New Guinea, 93-year-old Dr Lin Calvert finally stepped down in July 2019 but she continues to live at Kapuna and enjoy the fruits of her garden, spending her days reading, walking, and praying with all who visit her.
What an inspiring story! To read more, click here, then switch to Presentation Mode for full display.
Erin Foley has written a book about the Calverts and their inspiring work at Kapuna which you can order here.
