Frequently Asked Questions

1.   What is the climate like, and what kind of clothes should I bring?

The climate here is incredibly pleasant.  It is around the lower 80¹s in the day, and 60's at night.  Bring a sweater or sweatshirt, as well as raingear as it often rains in the afternoons.  You can wear scrubs in the hospital, but it is not necessary - whatever is most comfortable for you.  The cultural expectation is that women wear dresses or long skirts at all times, except indoors in your flat or in a missionary home.  You can wear sandals, tennis shoes,  or whatever is most comfortable for you.

2.  What are the living accommodations like?

The volunteer doctor's flats (apartments) are small, but more than adequate. The  flats each have a refrigerator, stove, oven, toaster, and a microwave. The laundry room, where you will do your own laundry, is connected to the flats, and your clothesline is in the front yard. Two studio flats and one two-bedroom flat are available.

3.  Is Malaria an issue?

Not really.  There are very few mosquitoes here, so you will not need any repellant unless you are  planning on spending any time on the coast.  However, prophylaxis is recommended but not mandatory. The missionaries here do not take it.

4.  What are the "On-Calls" like?

Depending on how many doctors are here at the time,you will only take 2-3 calls a week, and have several weekends off (though most doctors round on their own patients on the weekend mornings).  The hospital is about a 5 minute walk from the doctor's flats, and the average is about 2-3 phone calls per call night - of course, sometimes more, and sometimes none at all.

5.  Will I have a phone or email access?

You can either bring a laptop, or simply use the computer in the doctors office to which you will have a key.  When you get here, you can set up an email account with us which you can have your regular email forwarded to.  You must, however, be sure that no large emails (larger than 50 KB) are forwarded to this address, and that only a reasonable volume of email is forwarded. You will also be limited to emails smaller than 50 KB sent from your address here. Keep in mind that the phone lines are often down, so daily access is not at all guaranteed.  You will also have a phone in your flat. Long distance service can be arranged.

6. Are there any recreational activities?

We have a basketball court where the doctors and MK's (missionary kids) often play in the afternoons, and on Saturdays.   If you are a runner, you can also go running  outside of the station, though we don't suggest running alone.   A weight room is available.  Bring a swim suit if you like swimming, because you may have time to go to a beautiful nearby waterfall.

7. What opportunities for worship are there?

8.  Do I need to bring my own linens and kitchenware?

There are plenty of sheets and towels provided in your flat, so you do not need to bring your own. You will also have dishes, utensils, and pots and pans provided.

9.   How much money should I bring?

You may spend $200-$300 US on groceries per month.  You also must pay for transportation into town to go to the grocery store and market ($60 US round trip), as well as to and from the airport ($45 US per trip).  These trips are sometimes shared to reduce expenses.   You will also need to pay a small monthly fee for email, as well as whatever long-distance phone calls are made.   And of course, bring as much as you wish to spend on souvenirs. There are ATMs in the airport in Port Moresby and in Mount Hagen where you can use your debit card to obtain up to 2000 kina per day. This is easy for you, and the banks take care of the currency exchange for you.

10.   Hospital Station/Compound Description:

The station is not large, taking only 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other. Besides the hospital buildings, there is Nazarene College of Nursing, offices for the Nazarene mission, about 10 missionary homes, nursing student dorms, and many houses belonging to PNG national staff. There are many children on the station, both MK's and PNG children. There are around 15 full-time missionaries here, as well as their children. Women may not walk on the station after dark without male escort (which the missionary families happily provide) nor walk off of the station alone at any time. We have security guards, but they cannot be everywhere at once.

11.  If I am bringing my "non-medical" spouse, what is there for them to do?

They can be as busy as they choose to be.  There is plenty of work to be done, if they will seek it out.  Some possible examples are organizing and cleaning the store room, teaching the nationals working in the hospital how to use computers, helping to organize the nursing college library, filing, helping in the MK school, helping in the community school, and many more.  There are also lots of PNG children on the station who would love to play with them.

12.  Are there any other guidelines I need to know?

No smoking. No alcohol. Modest, culturally appropriate dress (women wear skirts/dresses). Men and women who are not husband and wife should be careful to avoid any appearance of impropriety, understanding the Papua New Guineans have a stricter understanding of this than most westerners.

13.  What is the primary focus of Kudjip Nazarene Hospital?

The spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is first and foremost a Christian ministry. We treat the sick out of compassion, because of Christ’s example of healing, and to provide an opportunity to bring men, women and children to a saving knowledge of Jesus. About 800 people come to Christ through the ministry of Nazarene Hospital each year.

14.   Do I have to be a Christian or endorse the doctrines of the Church of the Nazarene to volunteer there?

We prefer that our volunteers become actively involved in ministry, that they are willing to pray with patients, or to explain salvation through faith in Jesus when the opportunity arises. Our volunteers have come from a wide variety of denominational and doctrinal backgrounds. Occasionally a doctor who is not a Christian, but who has agreed to abide by our standards of behavior, and has agreed not to oppose our ministry has come as a volunteer. Occasionally they have placed their faith in Jesus for their own salvation while here with us.