People’s advocacy group, Focus Gulf PNG Inc., is calling on the State and national leaders to come to the aid of PNG’s flag designer, Susan Karike Huhume.
Mrs Huhume, who hails from Meii Village, Central Kerema, is fighting for her life at the Port Moresby General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit after succumbing to an illness last week.
She was rushed to the hospital and is currently in a critical condition at the hospital.
Known then as Susan Hareho Karike, Susan submitted a design which was accepted as the design for the PNG flag in 1971 and four years later, she joined the newly born country in raising our national identity on September 16, 1975.
In a statement, Focus Gulf PNG Inc chairman, David Vai’i, said: “Susan became an iconic figure at the tender age of 15 and since then, she has etched an indelible mark in our political history which is now known world over.
“Out of the simple mind of a village woman who lived a subservient life in a Catholic Mission on Yule Island and throughout her lifetime, we have a place in the world. We stand out uniquely.
“Today we are identified by the colours of red, black and gold, with the kumul in flight in white on a yellow triangular background, and the Southern Cross in white on another corresponding black triangular background, which forms the arresting design of the national flag of PNG.”
However, Vai’i says as we speak, this down to earth and lowly mother of four is struggling to see the last days of her life, and she is at the mercy of the doctors and apparatus at the hospital.
“As advocates and volunteers who stand for the rights of our people from the Gulf Province, we appeal to the National Government, State agencies, leaders and the general public to remember this lady and support her in this time of her distress,” states the chairman.
“Let’s just do it for Susan. Let’s give her the comfort she needs now. Let’s stand with her family and pray for her recovery. Let’s support the family financially and donate whatever we can to support them.
“We are appealing. We trust your hearts and we trust your patriotism and nationalism.”
Contact Vai’i and executive officer John Raga on 7171 9217/70999199 or email davidvaii@yahoo.com.
(Susan Karike Huhume at the PMGH intensive care unit)