Lifeline in the Pacific - Lifeline Auckland


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Lifeline in the Pacific By Bryan Wilshire
Lifeline Fiji, Lifeline Samoa and Lifeline Tonga were established as independent NGOs affiliated to Lifeline International about 25 years ago. Linkages to Lifeline Auckland were established many years ago through exchange visits and resource sharing by Bruce Mackie, Lifeline Auckland’s previous Clinical Director and current Board Member. Last August Board Chairman David Bogan and CEO Bryan Wilshire spent three days meeting with Lifeline International President and the leaders of Lifeline Australia, Lifeline Fiji, Lifeline Samoa and Lifeline Tonga to consider ways to further the work of Lifeline in the Pacific region. Lifeline Pasifika was ‘born’ to umbrella development changes and boost support. Towards the end of the year we hosted Lifeline Directors from Fiji and Tonga to share resources and build our links. It seems timely to share some information about our sister organizations in the Pacific:
Lifeline Fiji was established by the Methodist Church in 1993. It has been disrupted by the coups but has maintained a presence in Ba for many years. It serves the Fijian population of around 905,000 (as estimated in 2006.) The Lifeline centre is in Ba. There are no full time staff and all workers at Lifeline Fiji are part time volunteers. There is one phone line and one national free call number that accepts international calls. Lifeline Fiji operates during standard working hours. Pictured to the right is a Lifeline Fiji training session in progress.
Lifeline Tonga was established by the Wesleyan Church about 20 years ago. It is a church operated NGO. Its main work is telephone counselling. There are two phone lines which provide a national coverage for the population of 112,000 people. Lifeline Tonga also accepts international calls. Pictured are Lifeline Pacific members meeting with the Tongan Minister of Health.
Lifeline Samoa has strong Methodist church heritage connections and serves a population of about 220,000. There is a team of more than 55 volunteers and paid staff offering 24/7 telephone counselling, face to face services, counsellor training and postvention services. Lifeline Samoa also takes part in a weekly radio talk back show. Its freephone service is fully funded by Samoa’s national phone company. Pictured are Lifeline Samoa staff and volunteers