Waaki te Angabwatin iaon Tarawa Teinainano ma Betio ibukin te Scabies ma te Trachoma

TARAWA, KIRIBATI - 2 April, 2025. E a tia te Botaki ni Kuakua ni moana ana kabuti-bwatin ibukin totokoan butinakon aoraki aika te scabies ao te trachoma iaon Tarawa Teinainano ma Betio. Te waaki aio a taaketenaki iai aomata ni kabane, ao oina bwa e na kauarerekea te kanganga ae kona n riki n aoraki aika rang eweewe aikai.

E kamatoa te Botaki Ni Kuakua bwa iai rinanin bwaai-n-aoraki aika uoua ibukin te aoraki ae te scabies: bwa te bwatin ibukia aomata ni kabane, ao te tangauri ae na kabiraki iai aon te kun.

Te Scabies, bon aorakin te kun, ae rang n rereke riki irouia ataei aika uarereke, riki iaon baia ma waeia. E rang kakawaki bwainaorakiana ni moantaai bwa e aonga n aki butinako.

Ibukin te Trachoma, e kona ni karekea aorakin te mata ae kona n reke iai te mataki ngkana e aki waekoa ni bwainaoraki, ao iai teniua rinanin bwainaoraki ae a na tibwatibwaaki.

Te kuriim bon ibukia ataei aika uarereke mana re tibwa bungiaki nakon nimaua namwakaina, ao te bwatin ae te ran a na anganaki ataei ae onoua namwakaina nakon itiua te ririki. Bwatin a na anganaki aomata ni kabane n aki tabe ma roroia.

E kauringiia aomata te Botaki ni Kuakua bwa a riai n amwarake imwaain nimakin aia bwatin bwa e kona n reke te maraki-ni-biroto ma te mumuta ngkana akea kanoan te biroto.

E tua naba te Botaki ni Kuakua nakoia aomata bwa a ibuobuoki ni butimwaiia neeti ngkana a kawari mwengaia ibukin tibwatibwaan te bwatin. E rang kakawaki te moantaai n totoko ibukin te scabies ma te trachoma imwaain ae na manga butinako riki.

MOH Launches Medication Distribution Campaign for Scabies and Trachoma on South Tarawa and Betio

TARAWA, KIRIBATI - 2 April, 2025. To tackle the spread of scabies and trachoma, the Ministry of Health is rolling out a vital medication distribution campaign this month in South Tarawa and Betio. The campaign, which targets all members of the general public, aims to reduce the impact of these highly contagious diseases.

The Ministry has confirmed that two types of medications will be provided for scabies: tablets for all people, and a cream that will be applied to the skin. Scabies, a skin disease, commonly affects small children, particularly on their hands and feet. It's important to treat it early to prevent further spread.

For trachoma, a leading cause of eye infections that can result in blindness if untreated, three types of medications will be distributed. The cream is specifically for children from birth to five months old, while liquid tablets will be given to children aged six months to seven years. Tablets will be administered to all individuals, regardless of age.

Health authorities are urging the public to ensure they have a meal before receiving their medication, as taking it on an empty stomach may cause stomachaches and vomiting.

The Ministry of Health is also asking the community to cooperate with health workers and nurses when they visit homes for the distribution. Early treatment is essential in preventing both scabies and trachoma from spreading further.

Residents of South Tarawa and Betio are encouraged to take part in this campaign and ensure they and their families are protected.

Consultation Training Session for Church Departmental Leaders in Kiribati.

Korobu, Tarawa - 30 March, 2025

Today, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kiribati hosts a crucial consultation session for its departmental leaders, aimed at equipping them with the necessary tools to fulfill their roles in the church’s global mission outreach. The training takes place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and will be centered around the theme for the church in 2025, “I WILL GO TO THE END OF THE WORLD.”

The consultation meeting today commenced with a devotional led by the General Secretary, Pr. Titau Tavita, who focused on Matthew 5:14-16. He emphasized the call to go out and be the light to the world, performing good works as demonstrated by the ministry of Jesus. The ultimate goal is for people to glorify God.

Following this, the Kiribati Mission President highlighted the Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) program for 2026, titled "TPUM for CHRIST." The program will culminate with the New Zealand Pacific Union in 2027, supported by Kiribati. In 2028, the program will extend to the Australian Union Conference.

Kiribati SDA Mission will be the first in this union to implement this initiative next year.

Over 180 international speakers are prepared to assist with the rollout of the "TPUM for Christ" program in 2026. Some of these speakers will travel to Kiribati, where they will be dispatched to all regions of the country, including the Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern areas.

The goal is to ensure that the entire nation is reached with the Three Angels’ Messages.

In preparation for this, the Kiribati Mission has established a committee, "Kiribati for Christ (2026)," which includes mission administration, departmental directors, and two lay members.

The focus of "Kiribati for Christ" is to expand the reach of the gospel to more remote islands, such as Tamana and Arorae, where 27% of the population remains unreached.

The baptismal target for 2026 is 1,000 individuals, based on the average number of baptisms conducted each year.

Additionally, five new churches will be established next year in regions of Kiribati where there is currently no SDA presence, including Makin, Tab South, Beru, Tamana, Arorae, and Kanton.

In Kiribati, the membership ratio of Adventists to the general population stands at 1 to 39, highlighting a relatively significant presence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the country.

This ratio suggests that for every 39 people in the general population, there is one Adventist, making the church a prominent religious community in the nation. The ratio reflects the growing influence of Adventism in Kiribati, where the church’s focus on health, education, and community service resonates with many residents.

Despite the small population of Kiribati, the Adventist Church has established a notable presence, offering spiritual guidance and contributing to the well-being of the community, particularly through its emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and humanitarian initiatives.

Despite being the third Christian denomination to arrive in Kiribati in 1947, after the Catholics in 1888 and the Protestant Church in 1857, the Adventist Church has experienced stagnant growth in membership over the years.

Today, the Adventist Church claims a membership of just over 3,000 individuals, a modest figure when compared to the Catholic Church, which now encompasses more than 60% of the country's population of 120,000.

Interestingly, the Mormon Church, which arrived in Kiribati in 1972, now boasts more than twice the number of Adventist members.

This disparity clearly highlights the significant work that remains for the Adventist Church in Kiribati, as it faces challenges in expanding its influence and outreach in a religious landscape increasingly dominated by Catholicism and growing Protestant groups.