Revd Peter Rickman, Chaplain at St Paul's Collegiate School, recently completed a transformative seven-week sabbatical working with the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) Health Department in the Solomon Islands.

This sabbatical, marked by its challenges and rewards, reinforced the deep historical connections between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands and provided Rev. Rickman with profound personal and professional growth.

The Anglican Church of Melanesia has long-standing ties with New Zealand, a relationship that has fostered collaboration and mutual support over the years. In 2017, Rev Rickman founded the Solomon Island Medical Mission (SIMM NZ), a registered charity dedicated to improving healthcare in the Solomon Islands. SIMM NZ supports two rural health clinics, Fauabu and Taroniara (St. Clare's), and supports the Mother Emily School, a rural school serving a community of economic refugees living in very challenging conditions in the forests and palm oil plantations.

During his sabbatical, Rev served as a medic on the Southern Cross Anglican Mission Ship, undertaking a two-week tour of duty that brought him to 11 remote village communities on the Island of Guadalcanal. This experience tested his physical, social, emotional, and spiritual limits, pushing him to adapt to the 35+ degree heat, cope with mosquitoes, snakes, and large spiders, navigate river crossings and rough seas, and manage poor sanitation and extreme weather events. The diverse range of medical needs he encountered further highlighted the critical importance of SIMM NZ's work.

Despite the daunting challenges, Rev found the experience deeply rewarding. He played a crucial role in supporting local health initiatives, facilitating training programs, and helping to develop sustainable healthcare solutions. His hands-on approach not only strengthened the local health infrastructure but also allowed him to witness firsthand the resilience and spirit of the local communities and healthcare workers.

The sabbatical also offered Rev a unique opportunity to reflect on the importance of global service and the role of faith in addressing critical issues such as health and wellbeing. The warm and generous hospitality of the Solomon Islanders, along with their resilience, kindness, and love, left a lasting impression on him. This adventure was not just a professional undertaking but a life-giving and life-changing experience that deepened his faith and commitment to serving others.

Rev’s return to St Paul’s Collegiate School was marked by a renewed vision and inspiration, fueled by the stories and experiences he brought back from the Solomon Islands. His journey stands as a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated individuals can have on global communities, highlighting the enduring power of faith and compassion.

Rev Rickman extends his heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported him and made this transformative journey possible, particularly the generous support provided by Hato Hone St John Ambulance, Tui Medical, and The Melanesian MissionTrust in Auckland who funded and resourced the mobile medical clinic aboard the Souther Cross mission ship.

He writes, “There are so many people who made this life-changing experience possible,  I am indebted to my family,  my wife Jane and the Headmaster, Mr Skeen, and the Board of Trustees of St Paul’s Collegiate School who supported this initiative from its very beginning.” 

In celebrating this incredible adventure, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of the Anglican Church of Melanesia and its historical ties with New Zealand, a legacy that continues to bring hope and healing to the heart of the Pacific.