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Hannah Stapleton, Jenn Hammond and Co president Murray McKay It was great to have Living Child present an update on the project's developments in the remote outlands of PNG. Jenn Hammond has taken over as Executive Director from Sarah David, who remains involved as Founder and Midwifery Adviser. Jenn has been part of the Living Child maternal/childhood health projects for the past 7 years. She spoke of the ongoing tremendous challenges for the villages in the area, and women and children in particular, as the region was swept by extreme flooding with major impact on their housing and food production. Water supplies and toilets were swept away. This was followed by a major earthquake with many injuries, ongoing malnutrition and major community health problems. Access for aid was almost non existent but Living Child was able to muster limited support for the villagers. A community needs health survey was undertaken and resulted in the supply of medical equipment for their most basic needs. Horrific Massacre Worse was to follow when the villagers were attacked by violent gangs, supplied with weapons from outside the area. 26 were killed, mainly women and children, and 32 homes were burnt down. Even women protecting their babies were slaughtered. This violence is destroying their proud and resilient communities with sporadic and selective violence continuing. Living Child has now combined with UNICEF in an effort to rebuild these communities in terms of re-engagement especially for the women and children, general health and community engagement for a better future. Because of the extreme violence, this has at last attracted the support of local Police which is seen as a major benefit for the future. So Much to Be Done Jenn spoke of the enormity of the work to be done in support of the villagers specific women’s and children’s health ongoing needs, and education for children in order to help lift them out of poverty. Developing Pastoral Care through local church communities and support for young men’s holistic health, hopefully leading to employment, are also underway. A number of Funding Gaps have been identified and we will possibly hear more of this as a means of further supporting LIVING CHILD and their amazing work in a largely forgotten part of our world. Thank you to Jenn and Hannah for being part of our meeting and updating on the problems being faced by the communities that LIVING CHILD supports. |
What an amazing Rotary story this is, as was outlined by both Valentin, and Peter, from Scarborough Rotary.
