Benedict hopes to help 3 little children find love

By GYNNIE KERO

SEEING three children roaming around a settlement in Port Moresby was heart-wrenching for Benedict Barekas.
The social worker from Eastern Highlands is a father to three children himself and knows how they need love and care all the time.
Benedict, 50, from Lufa district, had come down from Goroka to Port Moresby to visit his three children attending school in the capital city. He and wife Bella had allowed their children to come and live with their uncle (mother’s brother) in Port Moresby since 2016 because there are better schools in the city.
“I’m a social worker. I’ve come across a lot of cases of displaced people. My village is no exception. A lot of sorcery-related violence and killings within tribes (result in people including children being displaced).”
His three children pointed him to the three youngsters Rosie, 9, Julius, 7, and Lucas, 5, loitering in the neighbourhood
As a social worker, Benedict wanted to know more about the three. He was told that both their parents had remarried and left them behind with their grandfather (mother’s father) Sailas Taghera from Koiari in Central who collects and sells empty cans for a living.
Sailas told Benedict that Rosie could not continue her education at a primary school in North Waigani this year because he could not pay her school fee and uniform. He explained that whatever money he earns from selling empty cans is enough for their food. They are also living on someone else’s land.
Benedict “social welfare” instinct kicked in.

“ I’m a social worker. I’ve come across a lot of cases of displaced people.”

“My concern is the old man. What happens to the three if their grandfather is gone? Who will take care of them?”
Benedict wanted to do something for Rosie, Julius and Lucas. He recently posted on Facebook the plight of the three siblings.
The public response to the story was overwhelming. Everyone wanted to help. A few even enquired about adopting the three lovely children.
Some gave money which Benedict used to buy clothes and food for the children and their grandfather.
Benedict will shortly have to leave for his home in Goroka where he and wife Bella live. The plight of the three children Rosie, Julian and Lucas he had come to know is too hard to ignore and forget. He needs to help them.
So he is now sorting out with relevant government agencies the children’s papers so he can include them into his family. Wife Bella is all for the idea. Benedict thanks her for always supporting him in helping others.

Benedict recalls his days as a case worker on Manus years ago when refugees were brought into the country from overseas, at a time when PNG itself had its own internally-displaced people needing attention and help.
For example, in the Highlands region including his own village, people became displaced because of tribal wars, sorcery-related violence and killings.
Benedict has since formed and registered an association to facilitate peace and reconciliation processes among the warring tribes.
“After my job as a case worker on Manus, I used my pay to help people. I did that through awareness. I started in 2018 and 2019. People at home took ownership and eventually we conducted reconciliation. There are still issues in other areas so I will continue this campaign.”
He preaches peace and love to warring factions, emphasizing how important it is to look after, rather than killing, each other.
He tells them “we do not own life nor the giver of life.”
The giver of life, the Lord Jesus, advocates “loving thy neighbor as thyself”. Benedict knows siblings Rosie, Julius and Lucas deserve that love immensely. He is hoping to provide it to them.