His work has touched the heart of many at the national level and now has gone on to get recognition on a global level.
Founder and President of Simbu Children Foundation Jimmy Drekore will be leaving Port Moresby for New York City on Sunday, to receive the World of Children Health Award 2016.
Drekore is the Health Honouree of the World of Children Award, a global recognition and funding program for people specifically and exclusively serving the needs of children.
World of Children Award is likened to the Noble Peace Price for children and has five categories; education, youth, humanitarian, child protection and health.
The package includes a funding of $US50, 000 which according to Drekore will subsidize SFC’s “Brave Heart” program over the next three years, beginning next year, to assist children with cardiac conditions.
Jimmy’s wife, Merrylynn, gave all credit to Jimmy’s passion, saying her husband “does it with a genuine heart and deserves it”.
She will accompany her husband to receive the award next Thursday, October 27 (October 28 for PNG).
Drekore, also the inaugural winner for Digicel’s Men of Honour Award thanked the Digicel Foundation for the recognition in 2014, which he said has been his launch pad.
Digicel Foundation CEO Beatrice Mahuru, on congratulating Jimmy, described him as the trailblazer for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands nations.
“We’re very honoured that we can bask in Jimmy’s light. He’s achievement has been phenomenal because his wife has been his backbone and his support allowing him to do all that he has done for Simbu Children Foundation.”
Furthermore, upon his return to PNG, Digicel Foundation will donate a K190,000 mobile health clinic to the SFC for the “Brave Heart” program.
Representing the Board of Directors, Fr John Glynn said Jimmy’s story should be an inspirational one to other Papua New Guinean and the world.
“The real secret to a happy life is the way you relate to other people, so Jimmy and his wife are relating to the children of his community in a wonderful way.”