Orphanage calls for govt support

 THE Government has been urged to support destitute children indirectly affected by the HIV/AIDS virus.

Andrew Terry (pictured), one of the people behind the Tarangu Orphanage in Port Moresby, said the problem was staring everyone in the face but nobody wants to come forward to help these homeless and helpless children.

The Tarangu Orphanage is located at 2-Mile Hill. 

It is one of registered charitable organisations in the country which provides care for children living on the streets.

“There are children out there who have been left to fend for themselves by irresponsible parents,” he said.

“They are missing out on free education because their main objective in life right now is survival.” he said.

“The Government must list the registered groups and help.”

Terry is supported in the project by Port Moresby residents such as Joseph Then, Rupa Mulina and Anna Solomon.

“There are Catholic priests and medical doctors among the contributors who come every now and then to donate clothing or food. Joseph has even taken in seven orphans to care for,” he said.

About 40 children are living in a makeshift shelter.

“These are children you see everyday in Boroko selling little things or downtown directing vehicles to parking spaces,” he said.

“At the end of the day while most families are preparing meals for their children, these children meet in their little groups to count their takings and use that to buy a meal.

“If there is a TV on at a tucker-box they go there to pass the time before finding their card-boards to sleep on the sidewalk. In the morning, they go through the same thing again.”