Kumura Foundation

The event, hosted by a local community-based organisation of Bundi, Kumura Foundation, involved a hearty lunch for 21 elderly members (ages 65 to 90) and a community coffee/milo night at Snow Pass village on Christmas Eve.

During the coffee/milo night, the foundation shared with the villagers their journey and some of the highlights and challenges of their work in 2020. 

“We also played some photo slides and videos of our work to keep the community informed of our journey,” shared foundation CEO, Vincent Kumura.

Betty Higgins and husband Peter Presland, were very happy to host the Christmas get together for the orphans.

Upon arrival at the lodge, local businesswoman, Higgins, dressed up as ‘Mother Claus’ and tearfully welcomed the children.

“If Kumura Foundation hadn’t brought these disadvantaged children from Bundi up to give them an education, these children would not have a brighter future,” she said. “And so, I am supporting the foundation to host the children’s end of year Christmas BBQ.”

On December 5^th, a 17-member medical team from Simbu saw a total of 260 patients and referred 107 patients.

Of these, six patients were referred to remote Brahman Health Centre in Lower Bundi, five to Gembogl Health Centre in Simbu and 97 to the Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial Simbu Provincial Hospital in Kundiawa.

The team conducted a major rural outreach medical program at Snow Pass, Bundi, in partnership with Kumura Foundation, a local community-based organisation (CBO) of Bundi.

Starting on October 25^th in Morobe, the team completed the final leg of their journey in Madang on Monday, November 2^nd.

The 24 trek members reached Saidor, Raicoast, at 4.30pm. On November 4^th, they commuted by dinghy to Madang town; an approximate 5-hour journey.

In Madang, Vincent Kumura of the Kumura Foundation said they were welcomed by prominent businessman, Sir Peter Barter, who gave them the Sugen Aben section of Madang Resort to rest.

Starting in October 25^th in Morobe, the team completed the final leg of their journey in Madang on Monday, November 2^nd.  

The goal of the trek is to raise K60,000 to fund the foundation’s three key rural health and education projects in Bundi for 2021.

Vincent Kumura said at 4.30pm, 24 trek members – 20 men and four women –arrived at Saidor Station in the Raicoast District of Madang Province.

The team’s nine-day challenge started at Wantoat on October 25^th.

On Tuesday, October 20^th, the Kumura Foundation met with Mark Kumul, the principal of the Kundiawa Community Health Worker Training School, to enrol students from Bundi’s seven remote villages to start training in 2021.

“Three more students of Bundi will be enrolled at the Simbu School of Nursing next year, bringing the total number of students undertaking health trainings to 10,” said founder Vincent Kumura.

“The students’ education will be sponsored by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation.

The Kumura Foundation donated K10,000 worth of water supply project materials to Emigari to build the water supply for the Bundi Komba Festival site. Emigari is the host site of the recently-launched Bundi Komba Festival.

Founder Vincent Kumura said the donation came under their ‘Community Service’ focus. Additionally, K5,000 worth of materials for the Bundi Women’s Training Centre at Yandera was also donated.

“One of the dire needs of the people of remote Upper Bundi is an ambulance,” stated Vincent Kumura. “Hence we are now embarking on our ‘Climb2Save’ Mt. Wilhelm Summit Challenge to raise K150,000 to buy our ambulance.”

The Mt Wilhelm challenge is scheduled for July 31^st to August 2^nd.

“Some of you are aware of our last ‘Travel2Change’ COVID-19 Rural Medical Patrol to Jimi border along the rugged and challenging Central Bismarck Corridor crossing Upper Bundi.

On the final leg of their two-day excursion this morning, they met with Prime Minister James Marape as well as boarded Air Niugini’s Fokker 70 at the Goroka Airport.

These 27 children, aged between 6 and 10, hail from one of the most remote areas of Madang Province.

They started their excursion on Tuesday (July 7^th), walking for at least an hour from their transit home at Mondia Pass to Gembogl, Simbu, took a PMV to Kundiawa then travelled for four hours to Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

The twenty-four children, who are schooling in Simbu, are currently on their second term break.

On Tuesday, July 7^th, they left Gembogl, Simbu, at 9:30am.

“On our way to Goroka, we stopped at Daulo Top for some scenic views and group photo sessions,” reported founder of Kumura Foundation, Vincent Kumura.