AFTER more than a month of persistent effort spanning three separate trips, the health facility on Koil Island in the Schouten group of islands is now connected to both solar power and satellite internet, a milestone that brings a long-isolated clinic into the digital age and significantly strengthens the capacity of Sepik Mission’s remote health services.
Solar energy specialist John Kainomba led the installation of the health facility’s solar system, providing reliable lighting for the clinic and powering the newly installed satellite internet dish. Working alongside him, Kelvin Kemba handled the precise task of aligning the dish with the satellite and configuring the Wi-Fi internet network for the facility.
THREE TRIPS, ONE CONNECTION
The first trip last year ended without a successful connection, with satellite alignment difficulties and other technical challenges proving too much to overcome at the time. The team returned for a second attempt, and then a third, each visit demanding patience and precision in a remote island setting with no margin for error. When the satellite finally locked and the connection held, it brought what both men described as a great sigh of relief.
The pair’s work during the same period also extended to Nagum Adventist Secondary School, where they restored a similar remote internet setup ensuring that students and staff at that institution are also now back online as well as the restore the school's broken water supply system.
Joining the team on this final trip to Koil Island were Associate CFO Mr. Bilfred Kangei and Mr. Scannah Aris, the Human Resource Officer for Sepik SDA Health Services, whose presence on the ground reflects the Mission’s commitment to seeing the project through at the highest level.
ONE FACILITY REMAINING
With Koil Island now connected, attention turns to the final facility in the rollout: Tumolbil Health Sub-Centre. Tumolbil is one of Sepik Mission’s most remote health facilities, situated along the international border of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia and the provincial border shared by East Sepik, Hela, and Western Provinces. Its connection will mark the completion of Sepik Mission’s remote health internet infrastructure project.
