‘Woman of Courage’ recognised

Joseph is from Kape village, in the Imbonggu district of Southern Highlands Province.

In a ceremony held at the American Corner in Port Moresby earlier this month, friends, family and stakeholders gathered to witness Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray present the 2018 Ambassador’s Woman of Courage award to Lero in honour of her work to help women and children affected by domestic and sorcery related violence.

“The U.S. Embassy, through the Woman of Courage award, recognizes that Rebecca Lero Joseph will inspire women in PNG who have little to no educational background to stand tall in their respective communities to contribute meaningfully without fear or shame,” said Ambassador Ebert-Gray. 

Lero Joseph started her ‘Heart project’ as she calls it, in 2006. Today, known as the St. Francis Orphanage Care Centre, it has three bush material huts for women and is a safe place for women and children. It has successfully helped more than 40 cases of women and children affected by family sexual and sorcery related violence

The brave Southern Highlands mother-of-four established and sustained this important community project for more than 11 years and is grateful to the Catholic Church for their assistance.

Remembering what inspired her to start up the St Francis Orphanage Care Centre, she spoke affectionately, “gutpela pikinini laik igoh touchim HIV infected pikinini or toktok loh ol meri kisim birua loh sorecery, ol papa mama pullim ol igoh, why?”

She has survived the worst of times, but her determination and drive comes straight from the heart, empowering her to send all school age kids to school daily while ensuring they are fed and clothed.

As part of this year’s Woman of Courage ceremony, Ambassador Ebert-Gray presented an award of PGK1,700 to the St Francis Orphanage Care Centre.

Each year, the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby selects three Women of Courage, one each from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.