SWIM Mission in Solomon Islands

1.      SWIM is an acronym for “Short Workshops In Mission”, which is a mission arm of the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (CRCA). The Australian based Board for SWIM is located in Tasmania.

   2.      The Mission began with fulltime staff in Solomon Islands    in 1998, when Rev Kevin Rietveld and his wife Machi were    appointed by the CRCA to commence work with local    churches.

   3.      SWIM Solomon Islands is Registered in the Solomon    Islands as a Registered Charitable Trust, and is an Associate    Member of the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA).

   4.      THE FOCUS OF ITS MINISTRY IS THREEFOLD AND SEEKS TO PRESENT    A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MISSION.

A. Firstly there is theological    training and education for church leaders, pastors, catechists,    Sunday School teachers etc. This is usually done by running workshops or training programs either in Honiara, or in the provinces.

B. Secondly there is development assistance, helping people in villages develop building and other skills while building or upgrading a clinic or classroom etc. This is often done in conjunction with visiting overseas teams (SWIM Teams) helping out in local church or community based projects.

C. Thirdly there is relief assistance, usually provided by donations of medical goods, clothing, educational supplies etc. from overseas. Some emergency financial assistance is given under exceptional circumstances, and when resources allow.

OTHER AREAS OF SWIM MINISTRY.

1. SPONSORSHIP. Over the years SWIM team members have developed relationships with many village children and as a result we now sponsor 40 students in school and 4 families through daily living assistance.

2. WORK WITH DISABLED.  Daily living assistance for people with disabilities, by way of food and clothing.  Jack Visser, our projects man, has started a program to build toilets for the many disabled around the Honiara area.  The government has little funding available to assist these people, and sanitation is at the bottom of the list.

3. HOSPITAL SCHOOL.  A school is provided for the young patients in Honiara Hospital.  Children of adult patients who are also in the hospital also attend.

These projects are all funded through the kind donations of Churches and individual Christians in Australia and other places.