Sambelle vows to follow in her mother’s footsteps

The National Main Stories

By GLENDA AWIKIAK
Sambelle Dadae yesterday praised her late mother Lady Hannah for the many social programmes she had engaged herself in to help people in need.
During the funeral service at the Marimari Lutheran Church in Port Moresby, which was attended by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Cabinet ministers, Sambelle said her mother initiated and actively committed herself to a number of community programmes, “not only to complement the role of her husband (Governor-General Sir Bob) as a national leader but because of the desire and faith she had”.
“Between 2008 and 2017, my mother initiated and actively committed herself in a number of community programmes by establishing the Rise and Shine Ministry,” she said.
That included:

  • Skills training programme in sewing, nutrition and personal empowerment;
  • Bible camps and studies for children and youths;
  • assist the music ministry with instruments;
  • sponsor the under-privileged for further education;
  • sponsor students to evangelist and pastor training colleges; and,
  • Assisted and contributed to various church programmes and activities.

Sambelle said when Sir Bob became governor-general in February last year, her mother was unable to continue with most of her projects.
She, however, re-established the Government House staff devotion, and initiated a ministry to visit women prisoners.
“Finally, my dear mother, as your only daughter, I will endeavour to emulate your accolades for the common good of those around me and my country,” she said.
Lady Hannah died in Australia on Tuesday last week. O’Neill described her as a woman with a burning desire to share her Christian faith and blessings with others in need.
“She was a strong leader in our community and in our country,” he said. “She had been a strong Lutheran Church member who had shared her desires through the church as well in the communities and the country as a whole through her teaching profession,.
“She contributed to our human development.”
Her body will be flown for Lae today for burial at Lae Cemetery tomorrow.