Lending a Hand inPapua New GuineaWheelchair Foundation Australia receives a warm welcome in Papua New Guinea |
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In February of 2003, Gosford West President Tony Mylan and five other members traveled to Papua New Guinea for the distribution of 240 wheelchairs that were sponsored by Rotarians in the United States, and delivered to Port Moresby by sea container directly from the factory in China. From the early years of the 20th century, Papua New Guinea had been administered by Australia up until its independence in 1975. During World War II, Australians bravely liberated the country from hostile occupation, and in doing so, found great allies in the indigenous people. Stories told since the 1940's recant the support and friendship that Australian troops received from the New Guinea people. It is this same support and friendship that Australian Rotarians have been giving back to the citizens of Papua New Guinea for many years. David Conn is a member of the Rotary Club of Boroko, PNG and served as our Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) responsible for the duty free importation of the wheelchairs, their distribution to the disabled in need, and returning photos to us of the recipients. The visiting Rotarians were completely overwhelmed by the warm reception and thankful gestures that they received from the wheelchair recipients and their families in the coastal towns of Gaire and Wewak. "It is very hard to put into words the way it makes you feel when you change someone's life by putting them into a wheelchair for the first time," said Graham Allen. Donald Sullens commented, "When you give a kid a wheelchair here, you might as well give them the world." Part of the frustration in getting foreign aid into developing countries such as Papua New Guinea has been that the donations of money rarely filter down to the people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. "These tangible, life changing wheelchairs don't get lost in the paperwork, and get directly to the people who need them, that's why I think this is the best project we have ever done," said Lyall Hood. "As Rotarians, civic leaders and professionals we have the ability to immediately improve the lives of disabled people, and to participate in an international service project that has succeeded far beyond anyone's expectations," says Harry Melkonian. The volunteer directors of Wheelchair Foundation Australia, Harry Melkonian, Graham Allen, Lyall Hood and Tony Mylan have committed to a long-term relationship with the people of Papua New Guinea, and look forward to helping the physically disabled change their lives for the better with the help of basic mobility wheelchairs. Recently, an additional 500 wheelchairs were sponsored in Papua New Guinea by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and were distributed by the Rotary Club of Boroko. |
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