A little comfort for those in need

LIFESTYLE

By LULU MAGINDE
ESTABLISHED in 2015 by founder and chief financer Philemon Oa, Waima Charity Foundation is a community-based organisation focused on advocating for socially marginalised groups.
Originally a volunteer at the Central Province Disabled Persons Organisation (CDPO), Oa had the idea to create a charitable foundation after being inspired by his own disabled uncle, and after noticing that there wasn’t enough being done to address the needs of the disabled within rural areas.
“We reach out to those living with disabilities and those most vulnerable, with the hopes of empowering them and advocating for their rights as human beings,” said Oa.
Their mission is to sustain and improve the livelihoods of humanity, specifically those living with disabilities, the sick, the imprisoned and those most vulnerable.
Of the foundation’s five objectives, is to empower human resources, which according to Oa has meant volunteers from the foundation paying visits to the unemployed and high school dropouts to give them a renewed sense of hope. There are so many dropouts in Port Moresby so it’s important that they know they have the right to an education and that they shouldn’t waste themselves on alcohol; we build and nurture their intellectual capacity,” he said.
“We initially started as a self-help group and was called Ward Disabled Persons Organisation at one point but then changed our focus of being a charity that focuses on giving rather than receiving.”
Oa said that the whole mentality of receiving rather than giving is outdated which is why the organisation is focused on the bottom up approach of help at the grassroots level.
“The government so far has not done anything for disabled people in rural areas so we’ve adapted this approach where disabled people should help other people living with disabilities in their own communities rather than relying on the government for support,” he said.
They are currently waiting for the Investment Promotion Authority to approve their certificate to incorporate them as a cooperative society. They will later seek funding to expand their activities and branch out to other districts and provinces.
Since 2015, they have been completely self-funded, relying on the support of charitable donations and good Samaritans but that has not stopped the foundation from engaging within communities.
“We are moving very slowly due to funding availability but we have program events planned, for instance, we have a program planned for National Disabilities Day on Mar 29 but we’re really just waiting for our certificate so we can apply for support from foreign donors,” said Oa.
Earlier in the year, the foundation and its staff paid a visit to Bomana MSU Prison Camp to donate biscuits, Colgate, face towels, soap, a carton of noodles and cooked food.
Oa said that they had an official request from Simon Kaoka, chairman of the MSU Prison Camp after seeing their Facebook page Waima Charity.
“We want all the districts and wards to set up what we have started in Waima Village, Kairuku. We even received a call from Kokopo two weeks ago asking for advice to help them start something similar,” he said.
“We’ve also had calls coming in from Momase and the Highlands region, requesting help to start something similar, which is what we wanted to see, that communities will be taking care of their own.”
So far they have helped five districts in Central establish their own associations/societies, with plans to help them form their own cooperative societies.
“The response from corporate houses that we’ve appealed to is very slow which is why we primarily fund our own work,” said Oa.
The working committee consists of eight volunteer members, with additional volunteers joining depending on the interest garnered in the areas or districts they decide to visit.
“This is a model for the Papua New Guineans who want to start from the bottom in their village right up to the national level, we want them to be able to address their people’s needs and wants,” he said.
“I come from a management background and I started this foundation so to all those young people, don’t waste your knowledge. You cannot waste your skills on the streets, try to find something,” he said.
He urges those who find it hard to find employment to help out their fellow humans rather than wasting away an educated mind.
“I would like to take this opportunity to make it public that whoever needs advice to establish their own foundation should reach out to Waima Charity Foundation either on Facebook or via email at [email protected],” Oa said.
Their motto: without you we are nobody, with you we are somebody, rings true to their purpose and vision of eventually removing barriers for socially marginalised groups working hard to make their rights known and ensure no one is left behind.
“In the same token, we plan on seeing ourselves as an established NGOs where we’re actively out within communities, sitting and talking with them to find out what they really need,” said Oa.
Their long term vision is to create a centre for the most vulnerable and those with disabilities, where they can seek help and eventually, if funding permits, help other districts set up their own associations.