Foundations work in partnership for common purpose

Thursday 18, August, 2016 – Port Moreby, National Capital District|| Sharing similar focus areas, Digicel PNG Foundation and We Care Foundation have worked hand in hand making a difference in the lives of the unfortunate, especially in urban settlements.

 

WeCARe! Foundation have built community care groups especially in settlements, volunteers who help them in their work on the focuses they have identified.

 

According to WeCARe! Foundation founder, Fr. John Glynn, his is a foundation for women and children at risk.

 

“WeCARe! supports communities with assistance and services needed to enable the poor, people living with disabilities (PWDs), marginalised and abandoned young women and children to become good, decent, valued and productive citizens of PNG,” Fr. John said.

 

For the past three years, Digicel PNG Foundation has been supporting WeCare! With funding to help them bring these much needed services to the disadvantaged population.

 

Digicel Foundation has given over K600, 000 to support the work of WeCare Foundation with a donation of K210, 000 every year, through a gentlemen’s agreement between Fr. John and Patron Digicel Foundation, Dennis O’Brien.

 

Similar to the focuses of the Digicel PNG Foundation, their approach both empowers and develops skills in people who may feel helpless; and also allows a greater reach to the most vulnerable in the community. Their focus is on educating and providing basic provisions for vulnerable young children and people living with a disability.

 

Activities include, running Early Learning Centre’s and Care Groups for children in settlements, seeking medical attention and the provision of basic necessities such as diapers and food, issue assistive devices such as crutches, walkers or wheelchairs where appropriate for PWDs.

 

Digicel PNG Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Beatrice Mahuru said Digicel Foundation is pleased to support the work of WeCARe! to address the common concerns.

 

“Our assistance towards WeCARe! Foundation ultimately goes towards the truly vulnerable and socially marginalized of Port Moresby’s urban settlements. Our shared focus areas ensure that our people who face day to day difficulties receive assistance, particularly in the areas of health and education, so that they live fulfilling lives and can become productive citizens of PNG.  We’re very thankful to Fr. John and his team for the phenomenal work they do on a daily basis.” Mahuru said.

 

To date Digicel PNG Foundation has funded 474 classrooms and 14 libraries, 22 Mobile Health Clinics, 4 rural Health Aid Posts, 3 Women’s Resource Centres, co-funded 5 Family Support Centres in partnership with UNICEF and NDoH, graduated 261 grassroots community based teachers in early childhood development and learning and over 15,000 men and women are now equipped with basic business skills.

 

900 people with special needs, their families and communities have been impacted by the Community Based Rehabilitation Program; and the Men of Honour Awards – a campaign against violence in PNG, is the latest to the Foundation’s development portfolio.

 

Established in October 2008, Digicel PNG Foundation has directly invested K65 million in PNG’s rural, remote and marginalized communities across all 22 provinces directly impacting over 500,000 people.