Erap juveniles receive gifts

JUVENILES at Erap Boys’ town rehabilitation centre had an unusual surprise visit from Caritas PNG and the police juvenile office yesterday who brought gift bags and presented to each of them.
Unlike the usual gifts being properly wrapped with colorful gift wrappers, the items came in small clothing bags.
 “They are very special gifts for these juveniles as each bag contains cooking utensils, clothing, water bottles, toiletries, mosquito nets among other things,” said Clara Romaso, Caritas coordinator for Lae office said.
Mrs Romaso said  the gifts were bought according to the needs of each of the 10 juveniles.
Most of them are thousands of miles away from their families as they came from Manus, Oro, the Highlands provinces, Milne Bay and others.
Sgt Cathy Rimbau, the police juvenile officer for Morobe province, said with the festive season, many were celebrating  with their families, friends and loved ones.
“And we want to show these boys that they are also special and that we want to make them feel that they are remember this season even though they are far away from their families,” she said.
Sgt Rimbau also encouraged them to think and live positively and to see the time they were serving at the centre as a challenge to change their attitudes and behaviours about life.
The centre also received gifts which include a kerosene lamp, garden tools, cooking utensils and sports equipment.
The Erap boys town at present looks after 10 juveniles most are from the other centres in PNG with the youngest being a 10-year-old.
“With everyone celebrating Christmas, we are very thankful to receive such small but very important gifts and we say thank you,” one juvenile said.