Mercy mission: Geraldton author Maria Flavel books tea party for Sudan clinic

It’s appropriate Maria Flavel is having a fundraising book sale for a medical clinic in Africa over afternoon tea. Making cakes and sandwiches is what she did at a “wake” when her daughter, Ingrid, lost her first pet. “Honey was my first baby and one of the best things of my childhood,” Ingrid writes in Honey Possum, My First Baby. The book, a joint effort between Mrs Flavel and local artist Jim Evans, follows The Adventures of an Old Boab Tree, proceeds of which were sent to Maria’s sibling, Sister Tarcisia Hunhoff, who was working with children in Port Moresby who had AIDS or TB. Honey Possum will also be a fundraiser helping update the Akot Medical Clinic in South Sudan. A decade ago, Mrs Flavel met Guor Michar at a Geraldton chemist where he was working. The two became accomplices, later firm friends. Mr Michar told Mrs Flavel how he and his wife Abok were involved with a clinic made of mud with a grassed roof. Mrs Flavel has poured her fundraising efforts into the clinic. Mr Michar said construction of a “more modern clinic” started early last year. “It went really well before we ran into a problem of border issues between the two Sudans,” he added. “We were sourcing building materials from Sudan; cement, nails, iron sheets, roofing posts, tools and everything that goes into a building. “We bought the materials in February (2019) from El Obeid, a town in Sudan, about 550km from the clinic. However, we couldn’t get the roofing materials transported to South Sudan for over 15 months. We received those materials in May and were able to complete the roofing. “Our aim was to provide a durable clinic allowing us to provide health services under a weatherproof facility. However, the cost was phenomenal as we ran into a lot of hurdles. Currently, we are running out of money to pay wages for the clinic workers, despite the fact we sent two home last year. The clinic is understaffed and inefficient. Therefore, we are asking for more support to continue saving the lives of women and their children.” That’s where Mrs Flavel comes in. She is hosting a book sale afternoon tea on August 22 at the Catholic Centre in Maitland Street. For $10 you get a cuppa and feed and a choice of three books — and the knowledge you are helping a deserving cause.