Digicel Foundation

Dr. Gideon Gelesi standing in as a Technical Health Advisor highlighted pressing issues regarding the facilities need to stakeholders, the Government and Lutheran Church.

Dr. Gelesi pointed out to the officials at the gathering that Gaubin hospital was in dire of infrastructural development, as the current structures are worn out beyond time and gradually falling apart.

Another issue affecting the rural hospital is the need for new and young staff who are able to keep up and move efficiently in doing their duties, serving the 120, 000 plus people on the island.

The rural hospital has been without a vaccine fridge and as such could not implement vaccination programs in its rural communities.

Digicel Foundation donated a solar powered vaccine fridge worth K57, 000.00.

The fridge will be used to store vaccines, blood samples, and has an ice maker. This is valuable when health workers travel into remote areas.

Digicel Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Serena Sasingian, enlightened people, staff and students at Gaubin about roles and functions of the Foundation and of their assistance to communities since its inception 2008.

Rosso outlined that out of 426 high and secondary schools throughout PNG, Digicel Foundation chose Busu because of its discipline and high academic performance.

When officiating at the opening of the new 4-in-1 double classroom on Monday, March 13th, Rosso told the students: “It always blesses my heart when I come here and see all those beautiful smiles on your faces and the cleanliness of Busu and everything else. I should say, this reflects on your staff, your principal, your board of management, na yupla yet.”

The building, complete with an additional K50,000 computer lab, is set aside for the Grade 12 and 11 science students.

Speaking at the event, chairman of the Digicel PNG Foundation, Michael Henao, said they have been looking forward to the opening of the two-storey K1.6 million building, which is the highest amount the Foundation has ever spent on a single classroom.

‘BeLit’ is a flagship program of Digicel Foundation aimed at utilizing digital platforms for enhancing and making education accessible to all.

In 2022, six secondary schools in the nation’s capital were selected as part of its BeLit Program to set up computer labs.

These schools included; Jubilee Secondary School, Marianville Secondary School, Kila Kila Secondary School, Tokarara Secondary School, Gordons Secondary School and Badihagwa Secondary School.

Branch Manager Peter Browne, shared that Atlas Steel PNG is pleased to remain a proud sponsor for the Men of Honour Awards since the beginning of the campaign in 2014. 

‘’This is the seventh year the company is supporting, now with a sponsorship of K25, 000. Additional support includes merchandise packs for each of the three selected ambassadors for the Momase Region,” he said. 

This year, three ambassadors will be selected from each of the four regions, with one ‘Unsung Hero’ award going to an ambassador from each region.

BSP Head of Marketing and Public Relations, Gorethy Semi, stated that BSP is pleased to continue its support for the third year now. 

This follows the recent launch at Waigani Central in Port Moresby.

The Digicel Foundation team set up an information booth along with their partners, where residents gathered to find out more about the Men of Honour campaign as well as the role of their partner organisations.

Head of programs for Digicel Foundation, Valda Kereu, outlined that nominations for outstanding men who do extraordinary work in the communities opened in November and will close on February 3^rd, 2023.

Students and staff warmly welcomed the Digicel Foundation team on the 1^st of June to the groundbreaking of the new 4-in-1 double-storey classroom.

The infrastructure is valued at K1.6 million, which is, by far, the highest amount the Foundation has ever spent on a single classroom.

Busu principal, George Noble, acknowledged Digicel PNG’s head of regions and general managers, consumer sales, Brian Malone, for putting him in touch with the Foundation’s CEO, Serena Sasingian.

The grants program is a great way for Digicel staff to give back to their communities or villages. Patricia Kassman from Agevairu in Kairuku District, Central Province was one of 10 staff who were awarded a K5000 grant.

Agevairu Health Centre located at Kairuku District helps out surrounding villages, and has 10 operational rooms and five staff members of the Health Centre.

Kassman acknowledged Digicel Foundation for the opportunity to give back to her community.