Fitzgibbon charity helps people in need in PNG
A north Brisbane-based charity is preparing to ship containers of donated education and health resources to people in need in Papua New Guinea.
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A FITZGIBBON-BASED charity is preparing to ship containers of donated education and health resources to people in need in Papua New Guinea.
Project Yumi was formed in 2016 by Renee Mero, a former primary school teacher who is now director of the charity, and two friends.
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“My husband is from PNG and I’ve been travelling up to PNG often and have gone to his village,” Mrs Mero said.
“I’ve seen the state of the school there and, being a teacher, I was shocked at how under resourced the teachers were and what they were doing with what little resources they had.”
Mrs Mero said Project Yumi was created after she put a post on the Sandgate Mums Facebook page looking for books and resources for the school.
“I got such a phenomenal response from people that we were able to fill containers full of stuff,” she said.
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The charity now ships about three or four containers a year.
“In the past 12 months we have sent two 20 foot shipping containers and one 40 foot container. In the next three or four months we’ll be sending another 20 foot and 40 foot container.
“We are sponsored by the Sir Brian Bell Foundation which is based in PNG; they pay for the containers to be sent over to PNG.
“We have another sponsor Oilmin Field Services — a mining company in PNG — they help us distribute the items. We also have an airline company that helps us.”
Project Yumi seeks donated education resources such as books, teacher’s text books, stationery items, exercise books, school bags, shoes and furniture such as desks and chairs.
“We were able to provide 40 desks and chairs for a school where a classroom burnt down,” Mrs Mero said.
“I spoke to the kids and they said it was so great to have desks and chairs and not have to sit on the floor.
“I’ve seen a lot of mothers crying because they don’t think they’re thought about. It’s very overwhelming for them.”
The charity also collect items suitable for small health clinics and aid posts such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, crutches and mobility equipment.
Project Yumi currently has two sheds full of donations which need to be transferred to shipping containers and they are looking for volunteers to help.
“It’s such a big job to pack it all and we’re trying to reach out to the local community for help,” Mrs Mero said.
The volunteer container packing day will be held this Saturday, July 27 from 9am at Storage Choice, 256 Zillmere Rd, Zillmere.
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