‘Keep donating to Haiti appeal’

PAPUA New Guinea has raised a total of K12,000 to date to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.
The amount was raised through the Digicel PNG appeal which was launched two weeks ago.
Digicel marketing manager Moin Qadri said Digicel received about 11,000 hits (K11, 000) and an additional K1,000 from fundraising activities under the appeal programme.
Education Minister James Marape has appealed to Papua New Guineans to keep donating in order to restore the education system for the children in Haiti.
“More than 1,000 teachers and close to 80,000 school-age children have perished or still missing in rumbles of devastation,” Mr Marape said.
“I grieve for the children of Haiti, who have lost their lives, their friends, their teachers, their educational facilities, and, foremost, their parents through the earthquake,” he said.
He said more than ever, PNG would join the international communities in assisting the people of Haiti, particularly the children to restore hope and normalcy in education.
“As Education Minister, I cannot just watch but appeal to all PNG through the Unesco Relief Efforts for Haiti and the UN Flash Appeal for all Papua New Guineans, public servants, companies, and school children to stand with the people of Haiti, especially the children,’’ he said.
As part of the appeal drive, education department staff and PNG national commission for Unesco will be hosting fundraising events on Saturday at different shopping centres to sell Haiti appeal bumper stickers at K2 each.
Other fundraising activities under the Haiti appeal are ‘Kina Per Child’ and ‘Walk for Haiti’ by Port Moresby residents on Feb 27.
Other groups, including churches, have also launched appeals for Haiti earthquake victims.