The designer of Papua New Guinea’s national flag is currently in critical condition at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
Susan Hareho Karike (now Mrs Huhume) is on life support at the Ward 7/Intensive Care Unit.
Her eldest son, Philip Huhume, is concerned that his mother has been overlooked for almost 30 years.
“Will the government recognise her while she’s still alive?”
He told Loop PNG that people know the flag but have no idea of the woman behind it.
“Bikpla samting mi laikim em i mas gat luksave lo mama.” (Most important thing I want is recognition for mother.)
Philip has also asked for the country to support his mother in prayer.
Susan Huhume fell ill last week.
From Meii village in Gulf province, Susan designed the flag in 1971 while she was a student at the Sacred Heart Mission School on Yule Island.
On 16th September, 1975, the new PNG flag carrying Susan’s design was raised at the Independence Hill at Waigani, in Port Moresby.
Married to Nanny Huhume from Goroka, EHP, Susan has four children and 12 grandchildren.
(Susan Huhume, PNG’s flag designer – Anatman Pictures)