power up png

You might remember that last year Mr M and I travelled to Papua New Guinea to visit friends who had just moved there with their two girls (and now new addition third girl). 

We got to explore PNG a bit and live in the community with the lovely locals of Gusap, in between Lae and Madang. We loved every minute (and really want to go back asap!) 

Recently though it was brought to my attention that the local hospital at Gusap no longer has power. What? I hear you say. A hospital with no power? I know. The Gusap Health Centre services roughly about 20,000 people in the Ramu Valley, most have moved to the area to gain employment in agriculture (sugar, palm and beef). The hospital this year couldn't afford to pay their power bill...and so subsequently their electricity was cut off. As you can imagine a hospital without electricity is quite the problem. And this was in February. 

Since then they have been 'making do' - moving beds into rooms with more light. There is a delivery room for women to have their babies but it has no windows, so now this is where the babies are being born...

If a baby comes at night, they simply deliver it my the light of their mobile phones.

My friend, Ange, who lives at Gusap discovered the hospital's crisis and set about finding out what she could do. The power company agreed that if $5000 were raised they would turn the power back on. So this is our goal. I swiftly offered to set up a facebook page with information, how to donate and we are in the midst of trying to organise a fundraising auction night to be held on Sunday 30th October. 

Head to Power Up PNG Hospital facebook page for more information - and if you would like to donate any goods it would be greatly appreciated, simply email me at ellaatbella@gmail.com. Little Miss Emma has got some things up on the auction, we will be updating the album as we receive donations. 

Stay tuned, I will keep you all posted on our fundraising efforts.