Caring with all of your heart
* More needs to be done for children orphaned or affected by HIV/AIDS. MATHEW WERIGI writes. *

WOMEN in this country must be given recognition for their efforts towards nation building. Many go through life, doing great things but remain unknown. This is a profile of a woman who has gone out of her way to be a volunteer in HIV/AIDS, Home Based Care and Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme.
The UN General Assembly by resolution 836(IX) of 14 December 1954 recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children’s Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day be observed as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.
In observing the Universal Children’s Day on December 14 last year, the Rotaract Club of Port Moresby and its organizing committee through Maggie Gomara and Rose Apini of NCD Provincial AIDS Committee coordinated the Orphans Christmas Lunch.
About 300 children and teenagers attended the event. The Honeybee Christian Pre School offered their premises to host the lunch for the children. Most of those who attended were orphaned by HIV/AIDS, kids and teenagers living with HIV/AIDS and those living in risky areas. The children came from the 8 mile, 5 mile, 6 mile, Tatana, Kilakila and Baruni villages
The lunch was made possible through donations from individuals and business organizations and tireless support from Ms Maggie Gomara.
I met Maggie in 2006 when I was at Mahuru village to donate gifts and food stuff from my employer. She talked about the kids and the initiative of the Rotaract Club and her involvement as a volunteer.
Last year at the Honeybee Christian Pre School when my workmate I and were unloading the stuff out of the vehicle she came over and met us and directed us where to put the gifts and goodies for the kids.
While chatting with her, I came to realize her commitment and involvement with the kids and other volunteer work she is involved in.
“I feel like all these kids are my own, there is no adequate funding from authorities and other organizations and at times I want to give up but who else will care for them. The school is just about to start, who will pay for these children’s school fees”, said Ms. Gomara.
Maggie from Baruni village now resides in Mahuru, she is a committed volunteer in Home Base Care (HBC) and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).
She began volunteer work in HIV/AIDS in July 2003. At that time she was a volunteer TB advocator based at St Theresa Clinic at Hohola and Lawes Road Clinic Konedobu. These volunteers do their jobs mostly out of their own pockets for People Living with HIV/AIDS and their children.
Maggie cared for HIV/AIDS person Peter Momo between October 2004 and July 2005 and his son from November 2004 to August 2006 after which she decided to move into the 3 Angels care Centre for PLWHA at Korobosea.
Through her commitment and her network with the target population she was invited to join NCD Youth at High Risk Settings Strategy Project (NCD YHRSS) by the NCD Provincial AIDS Committee Secretariat.
Her specific role was to mobilize the out of school female youths between 15 to 30 years involved in full time, part-time and opportunistic sex work in night clubs.
Since joining the NCDYHRSS Team she had attended trainings in various areas including; HIV/AIDS, STI and Sexual Health Advocacy, Care and Counseling and Introduction to Behaviour Change Communication
Maggie has proven to be an honest and reliable volunteer to the National Capital District Provincial Aids Committee according to Mr Ben Maraga.
Most of her colleagues left for financial reasons but she has chosen to dedicate her time and heart to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Ms Gomara has visited suspected infected people and counseled them to agree for HIV testing in Hanuabada, Tatana, Porebada, Gabi, Gaire villages, Koki, 2 Mile, 9 Mile and Vadavada settlements.
“I want all these kids that I am taking care of to complete school and one day look after themselves, their care takers are not looking after them well and most are homeless and even live on streets. My biggest aim and dream is to one day build a care centre to look after such unfortunate kids”, said Maggie.
She reminded me of what Mother Teresa once said, “Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don’t only give your care, but give your heart as well”.
Maggie and NCD PAC are grateful to Rotaract Club of Port Moresby, Red Cross, individuals and business houses (Rimbunan Hijau, Coca Cola Amatil, Gateway Hotel, Laga Industries and others) who donated in cash and kind including gifts to make the 2007 Orphans Christmas Lunch a success.
She told me that she is now raising funds for orphans and vulnerable children together with PLWHA and is appealing to organizations and individuals for assistance.
Those who want to help can contact Maggie through the NCD Provincial Aids Committee on Phone 323 0515 Fax 323 0166 and B Mobile 693 0930.
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