1 Dec
PNG – World Aids Day “Universal Access & Human Rights”
December 1st 2009 is “World Aids Day”, Papua New Guinea commemorate the day with the rest of the world to mark the 21st commemoration.
Papua New Guinea joins the world to observe the significance of the Day with the national theme”Make HIV Prevention, treatment, care and support accessible in PNG…It;s our Right.
Rimbunan Hijau Group like other corporate organisations in Papua New Guinea have been supporting the cause in many ways. It has donated the HIV/AIDS care centres, orphans, HIV work related NGOs and even being a Platinum member of Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (BAHA) for the past three years. I has contributed K600,000.00 to BAHA and has a Work Place HIV Policy.
Listed below are pictures in preparation for the World AIDS Day and the staff who wear red to promote the day.
Werigz & the handyman at work putting up the ribbon.
Staff of Rimbunan Hijau wearing Red.
The Big Red Ribbon at the background
24 Mar
Don’t only give your care, but give your heart as well
The City Pharmacy must be congratulated for the initiative in orchestrating the Pride of PNG Awards – Empowering Women. Women in this country must recognized in for their effort in promoting what ever they do in promoting whether it be HIV/AIDS, Law and order, education or environment etc… The closing date for the nomination was
Maggie with my workmate discussion sweets for the HIV/AIDS kids.
15 May, 2008. This had prompted me to profile a woman who had gone out of her way to be a volunteer in HIV/AIDS, Home Based Care and Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme.
The UN General Assembly by resolution 836(IX) of 14 December 1954 recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children’s Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.
In observing the Universal Children’s Day, in 2007 December 14th the Rotaract Club of Port Moresby and its organizing committee through Maggie Gomara and Rose Apini of NCD Provincial AIDS Committee coordinated the Orphans Christmas Lunch.
Unlike 2006, last year there were about 250 to 300 children and teenagers attended had lunch and received gifts. The Honeybee Christian Pre School offered their premises to host the lunch for the children. Most of those who attended were orphaned by HIV/AIDS, kids and teenagers living with HIV/AIDS and those living in most risky areas. The children came as far as 8 mile, 5 mile, 6 mile, Tatana, Kilakila and Baruni villages
In 2006, over 35 kids attended lunch and all were presented with gifts. The Lunch was made possible through donations from individuals and certain business organizations and with tireless support from Ms. Gomara.
I met Maggie in 2006 when I was at Mahuru village to donate the gifts and other food stuff from my employer and she talked about the kids and the initiative of the Rotaract Club and her involvement as a volunteer. Again in 2007 at the Honeybee Christian Pre School when my workmate I and were unloading the stuff out of the vehicle she came over and met us and directed us to where we’ll put the gifts and other goodies for the kids.
While chatting with her, I come to realize her commitment and involvement with the kids and other volunteer work she is involved in. I was totally moved while talking to her I realized that her eyes turned red as she almost cried. “I felt like all these kids are my own, there is no adequate funding from authorities and other organizations and at times I want to give up but who else will care for them. The school is just about to start, who will pay for these children’s school fees”, said Ms. Gomara.
From Baruni Maggie now resides in Mahuru, she is a committed volunteer on Home Base Care (HBC) and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Her volunteer HIV/AIDS work started in July 2003 and at that time she was a Volunteer TB advocator based at St Theresa Clinic at Hohola and Lawes Road Clinic Konedobu. Sadly though, such volunteers do their jobs mostly out of their own pockets for People Living with HIV/AIDS and their children.
Most notably, she even cared for Peter Momo between October 2004 to July 2005 and his son from November 2004 to August 2006 when she personally decided to move into the 3 Angels care Centre for PLWHA at Korobosea.
Through her commitment and her network with the target population she was then invited to join NCD Youth at High Risk Settings Strategy Project (NCD YHRSS) by the NCD Provincial AIDS Committee Secretariat. Her specific role was to mobilize the Out of School Female Youths between 15 to 30 years who are involved in full time, part-time and opportunistic Sex work in Night Club settings.
Though she is semi literate, which has not stopped her from what she is doing as she had a heart for those she is caring. Since joining the NCDYHRSS Team up till now she had attended and successfully completed the following trainings;
1) 3 Days HIV/AIDS, STI and Sexual Health Advocacy
2) 5 Days Basic Introduction to HIV/AIDS, and Sexual Health
3) Care and Counseling
4) 3 Days Introduction to Behaviour Change Communication
5) Volunteer Counseling and Testing
6) Home Based Care (HBC) and Counseling for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
Overtime Maggie has proven to be honest and a reliable Volunteer to the National Capital District Provincial Aids Committee according to Mr. Ben Maraga, while most of her colleagues have departed due to financial needs she remained and dedicated her time and heart to the People living with HIV/AIDS both the infected and affected.
Ms. Gomara even visited suspected infected people and counseled them to agree for HIV testing in Hanuabada, Tatana, Porebada, Gabi, Gaire villages, Koki, 2 Mile, 9 Mile and Vadavada settlements.
“I want all these kids that I am taking care of must complete school and one day look after themselves, their care takers are not looking after them well and most are home less and even leave on streets. My biggest aim and dream is to one day build a care centre to look after such unfortunate kids”, said Maggie.
It reminds me of what Mother Teresa once said, “Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don’t only give your care, but give your heart as well”.
Maggie and NCD PAC are very grateful to Rotaract Club of Port Moresby, Red Cross, all individuals and business houses (Rimbunan Hijau, Coca Cola Amatil, Gateway Hotel, Laga Industries and others) who donated in cash and kind including gifts to make the 2007 Orphans Christmas Lunch a success.
She told me that she is now raising funds for Orphans and Vulnerable Children together with PLWHA early last year and she is appealing to organizations and individuals to assist her.
For those who are interested, she can be contacted through NCD Provincial Aids Committee on Phone 323 0515 Fax 323 0166 and B Mobile 693 0930.
-ENDS-
WORDS & PICTURES BY:
MATHEW WERIGI
14 Nov
Chicken & Brocoli
* Sliced Chicken Breast * Brocoli Pieces * 1 teaspoon Vetstin/Zest-i * 2 teaspoon salty soy sauce * 1 teasppon minced garlic * 1 teaspoon minced ginger * 1/2 teaspoon of cornflour mixed with water
Marinate chicken with salty soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Add some oil to frying pan and when hot, cook chicken. Add brocoli, cook for three minutes. Add cornflour and water stiring until the sauce thickens.
SERVE WITH RICE FORA QUICK & EASY HEALTHY MEAL
1 Nov
Future careers on line
*Upset over Kiwis could launch NRL careers for some Kumuls *
The Kiwis are expected to win the match at Skilled Park and should, given their high world ranking.
But as England discovered a week ago, the exuberance, flair and desire of the Kumuls cannot be taken lightly.
PNG coach Adrian Lam has whipped his players into a mindset of self belief which mixed with their natural talent, helped produce a narrow first-up loss to England.
Lam has convinced his players, many with little or no international experience, they can compete with the big boys.
He has told them they have a wonderful opportunity to do what veteran Stanley Gene did in 1995 when he caught the eye of English talent scouts in the same tournament.
Lam said players like Brisbane Norths flyer George Kepa, young Gold Coast Titan David Moore and utility-hooker Charlie Wabo all had NRL appeal.
“I had Kepa last year and as a player I can tell you he has matured three-fold,” Lam said.
“There’s a couple from last year who’ve really come on who haven’t played NRL or Super League, who are standing up to opposition so much more experienced.
“Just about all our players are in the shop window.
“Some of them could possibly make a future out of the first, second and third matches.”
Lam said while PNG players had varying personalities, they all shared one common goal.
“A player like George (Kepa) is playing for a future in rugby league somewhere,” Lam said.
“PNG have established an identification programme to bring young players to Australia.
“The North Queensland Cowboys, which is more like home for them, is an ideal set-up for that.”
New Zealand, who struggled to match the intensity of Australia in their 30-6 opening loss, will want to bounce back against PNG, who played with surprising composure against England.
Kiwi forward Greg Eastwood, who is joining Super League champion Leeds after the World Cup, said New Zealand respected PNG but were determined to hit back after a disappointing game.
“It (30-6 loss) was definitely disappointing, but all the boys are over it now,” the 21-year-old who scored 15 tries in 62 games for the Broncos, said.
“We gave our all and tackled our hearts out against the Aussies but we gave them too much possession with penalties and errors.
“Our defence kept turning up inside and outside, the boys were very committed.”
Eastwood was impressed with PNG’s first-up showing and their ability to stay with their structure.
“I was impressed and their big front-rower has been in the newspapers already saying he is going to give us our money’s worth and he looks like a mean machine,” Eastwood said. – AAP
werigz
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