Two weeks after fires destroyed the homes of over 200 families in Hanuabada Village, Port Moresby, two Australian NGOs have distributed over 800 solar lights to children and their families.
International development NGO, the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), and Australian charity, SolarBuddy, this week worked alongside Hanuabada relief coordinators, Dadi Toka Jnr and Lohia Boe Samuel, to deliver solar lights to the community.
SolarBuddy and KTF have been partnering for the past 12 months to light up the lives of children and families in remote areas across PNG.
“When we heard about the devastating fires that destroyed the houses and livelihoods of so many residents in Hanuabada village, we knew we had to respond,” said Dr Genevieve Nelson, CEO of KTF.
“This is our small way of lending a hand to the Hanuabada community; letting them know that they are in the hearts and minds of Australians at this difficult time.”
The distribution effort was coordinated by NCD Governor Powes Parkop and the Hanuabada relief committee.
Founder and CEO of SolarBuddy, Simon Doble, said: “These SolarBuddy lights, partly donated by school children in Australia, will help the families stay safer in this difficult time.
“Hopefully the children of Hanuabada will also use them for their homework.”
Together the NGOs have distributed over 3,000 solar lights to communities in Oro, East Sepik, New Ireland Province and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Solar lighting reduces reliance on the burning of toxic kerosene, dangerous campfires, and expensive battery powered torches for a source of lighting, and enables children to do their homework after dark, parents to work on small business, and improves security for women and children after the sun sets.