Group focuses on helping disadvantaged children in capital

A FAITH-based non-government organisation in operation since 2008 has been accommodating and helping disadvantaged children in National Capital District and Central with a long term development goal of addressing the growing problem.
Born Free Sanctuary – Out of Home Care (BFS-OHC) founder and director Philip Vaki says they had housed and taken care of dozens of unfortunate street children over the last decade by providing a home for them, educating them and helping them get established for life as adults.
Vaki said he had ran the care centre on his property, converting his home into a haven for affected youth and children from Port Moresby and Central.
Vaki said he realised many young lives were at risk of being wasted and potentials unfulfilled and decided to do his bit to look after unfortunate children by providing shelter, food and helping send them to school.
He said his organisation also had value based programmes for the children that sought to strengthen their faith and morals as well as guiding them to be good Christians and honest citizens.
A devoted Seventh-day Adventist, Vaki said maintaining the centre was a great challenge annually but he had managed to stay open through the support of the community and partners.
BFS-OHC receives support from Australian based charity organisation Operation Food for Live (OFL).
The centre which is Vaki’s home, was converted into dormitories for 27 girls and seven boys.
Recently, the centre was formally recognised and certified as an organisation caring for children by the Child and Family Services (CFS) office.
Vaki said BFS-OHC was committed to doing its part to ensuring Prime Minister James Marape’s declaration that “no children would be left behind”.