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By VERONICA MANUK
A PERSON with disability in East New Britain, who has been taking the lead in
organising youths in raising funds to help public amenities, sadly passed away
last Saturday.
Henry Tirivo from Tapo, in Kokopo district, passed away at Vunapope St Mary’s
Hospital after a short illness.
Five months ago, Mr Tirivo established the Tapo Disable Youth Association and
had been actively working with those without disability to raise funds to
upgrade the facilities in the province.
Apart from raising funds, his other aim was to assist youths in his area to keep
them busy and from participating in illegal activities.
Mr Tirivo had been living with the disability for 11 years.
He was involved in two major fundraisings.
The money the association raised in the first fundraising exercise was donated
to Vunapope St Mary’s Hospital and Nonga Base Hospital with each getting K619.
He again arranged for the second major fundraising activity two weeks ago to
help the aid post in his area and Calang Disable Service in Kokopo.
While he was in hospital, his group through the fundraising, raised more than
K800.
He also arranged in assisting the Vunapope Hospital last month by providing them
with a vehicle loaded with garden food to feed patients at Nonga Hospital, who
were transferred there due to heavy down fall of volcanic ash from Mt Tavurvur.
Mr Tirivo had set an example for those living with disability as well as those
without to not sit and wait for handouts but to find ways to sustain themselves
and the community around them.
Coordinator of Calang Service Paul Valuka said Mr Tirivo’s initiatives, through
the media, had received recognition through out the province, the nation and
also from international organisations.
Mr Valuka said that Mr Tirivo had set a standard for those living with
disability and the nation to follow.
 
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