Main aim of the charity

The aim is to protect children between ages of 5 years old to 14 years both male and female. These are children who a victims of sexual violence and abuse, torture, child prostitution, orphaned, destitute... These Children are given care in terms of temporary accommodation, spiritual guidance and enrichment, food, water, sanitation, and freedom to be children.

How the employee got involved and why

My passion for this charitable cause was ignited through my strong belief that every child has the right to dream, feel safe and be loved wherever they are or come from. I also believe all children should have access to basic human rights including quality education, access to clean water, food, clothing, health and nutrition. Unfortunately, like in many parts of the world, majority of children in Papua New Guinea are most vulnerable and become destitute due to poverty (39.9% of PNG live under the poverty line), gender inequality, discrimination, malnutrition as well as lack of access to quality education and health. Imagine a child been stripped off her innocence as early as 5 year old. Imagine a child been tortured for sorcery related crimes. Imagine a child been forced into prostitution at the age of 10 year old. Imagine a child been subjected to Child Labor and not fed for days. Imagine a child witnessing her own father bash her mother to death. Imagine a child protecting his 8 year old sister from being raped by her own father so he takes her and run for miles in the dark to seek help and refuge. Imagine a child being left on the street to fend for herself simply because her parents are unemployed and have no means of survival except beg on the street. Imagine a child been born with a disability and his parents abuse and neglect him since he can remember so he ends up on the street afraid and alone and have no choice but beg for his next meal. Just Imagine! Sadly, these are the harsh realities that many children are faced with on a daily basis in Papua New Guinea. These are the true and heart-wrenching stories that captured and convicted my heart to invest/commit my time, energy and resources to this Non-Government Organisation. Despite Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) economic boom led by extractive industries, almost 40 percent of the country’s population lives in poverty. The government has not taken sufficient steps to address gender inequality, violence, corruption, youth related, and child welfare issues. Rates of family and sexual violence are among the highest in the world, and perpetrators are rarely prosecuted. Papua New Guinea is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman, with the majority of women experiencing rape or assault in their lifetime and women facing systemic discrimination. While such acts have long been criminalized and domestic violence was specifically proscribed under the 2013 Family Protection Act (FPA), few perpetrators are brought to justice. Three years since the FPA was passed, it has not been implemented.” Coming from a privileged home and growing up in a community where poverty, violence and alcohol and drug abuse existed, I saw first-hand the negative impact these had on the community especially on Children. I remember early on in life, I wanted to do something to make a difference and this burning desire had stayed with me all this time. Fast forward to 2017, I learned about a Centre for vulnerable women and children and out of curiosity I paid them a visit. In there, I found children as young as 4 up to teenagers/adolescents (both male and female) residing there on a temporarily basis each with their own predicament in life. After my first visit to the Centre, my desire and passion grew stronger and I knew this was my time to do something to pay my blessings forward and make a difference in a child’s life. As a single mother of two sons (16 and 10) who are so privileged in life and come from a loving home, I felt compelled to introduce my sons to these children who were not so lucky with the cards life had dealt them. I needed to expose them to this reality so they are reminded to contribute to humanity in any way they can at a very early stage in their life.

What work does the employee do for charity?

My charity work involves volunteering my time and resources at the New Life Children’s Crisis Centre. This Centre is a safe house for children who are victims of domestic violence and abuse, rape and torture, child prostitution and labor who are kept safe on a temporary basis. This is the one and only Centre in Lae City that provides temporary shelter to vulnerable children. I have been involved with this charity work since 2017. Although my role as a volunteer (back in 2017) was limited to only visiting the children on a monthly basis to bring food, clothing and gifts, however since identifying some of the pressing concerns in the Centre, I have taken a more responsible and constructive approach and have offered more support in terms of raising funds and seeking resources to donate to the Centre to invest in various programs that will benefit the children in the long run even after they leave the centre. I am passionate and committed to this charity because I truly believe all children should feel safe and loved where as they are potentially future Leaders of our nation. Sadly, the harsh realities in Papua New Guinea indicate that Women and Children are the most vulnerable citizens in the country where corruption and poverty is rife. In fact, almost 40% of PNG’s population lives below the National Poverty line. Reports suggest that 4 out 5 children experience Neglect, Abuse, Rape, Torture and Violence every day in Papua New Guinea. In Lae City alone, there are at least 2-3 reported cases of Child Abuse every day. 14 cases every week and the Child Welfare Office has backlog of cases yet to be processed through the legal system. The New Life Children’s Crisis Centre is basically a safe house for Children between the ages of 3 years old up to 14 years old who are processed through the Justice System under the Lukautim Pikinini (look after children) Act 2015. Unfortunately not all children who go through the Justice System are protected so most (90%) children end up going back to their abusive environment and/or are forced to survive on the streets because children often run away from home for the fear of being abused again. Every year there are at least 800+ children (only reported cases meaning children are brought to the welfare office to seek assistance) who go through the legal system and end up at the safe house as a temporary solution until such time their case is cleared then they are released back to their legal guardians. It has been reported that more females than males (80-20 ratio) go come to this center for refuge mainly due to sexual abuse by their immediate family members. “Family and sexual violence (FSV) is widespread across Papua New Guinea (PNG) both within and outside the family. Women and children are particularly vulnerable. And despite the alarmingly high statistics we see in the few studies that exist, this is thought to be only the tip of the iceberg. The full magnitude of the problem of FSV in PNG is not understood due to the lack of disaggregated data available and the challenges survivors face in coming forward. Family and sexual violence is a medical emergency and must be treated as such. FSV survivors can suffer both acute and long-lasting medical and psychological consequences. If they do not receive adequate and timely care, there can be grave ramifications for the individual and potentially also the community” In fact, since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been staggering and alarming cases reported everyday on mainstream Media and social Media Platforms of Women and Children been raped, murdered or subject to discrimination and violence and sadly most of the reported cases were believed to be family and domestic violence related.