LETTER FROM ANNE

Documents work of Medical Staff of Sth China Mission of Presbyterian Church of New Zealand ca. 1949, Kong Chuen.

Titles ‘Focus’, ‘Stop! Film can now be shown.’ Hand turns envelope ‘Letter from Anne’ to reverse side ‘Kong Chuen, 1950’. Woman puts paper in typewriter, then looks at calendar on wall. She begins to type letter. Woman gives birth to baby. Local nurses file into building. Bicycles parked outside building, two women ride off, one on back of bike ridden by man.

Women on bikes in street, locals pass carrying loads on their shoulders. Local woman carries toddlers hanging from stick on shoulders, one hanging in basket. Women ride bicycles down country road. Women arrive at school and check children’s hands. Children seated in school yard. Woman teaching local children mathematics outside. Woman walks along country track and comes across baby lying on ground with a note attached. Baby is weighed by local nurse on scales. Group of babies.

Woman walking babies in large pram in garden, missionary nurse greets them. Baby practices walking with help from nurse. Local nurse holds baby. Missionary nurse working with children in front of Red Cross truck. Local women waiting with their children. Views of sick children. Nurse prepares medicine. Group of nurses stand up in class, then sit down. Nurse looks after baby in front of class.

Missionary woman walks in gardens carrying parasol. Missionary women have cup of tea. Missionary woman looks at hibiscus flower in garden. Local nurse prepares medicine. Local nurse feeds baby milk in bottle. Local nurse and missionary sit in garden. Group of missionaries relax, woman plays piano. Hand closes book beside lamp, ‘The End’ title.