The youth of Grandville Seventh-Day Adventist Church are gearing up for its PNG4CHRIST Fundraising Walkathon from Port Moresby to Kerema, KaIntiba, Menyamya, Lae Goroka, Simbu and Jiwaka, in order to support their fellow Jiwaka Adventist members.
This initiative aims to raise funds to contribute towards the construction of a VIP main Centre in Minj, Jiwaka Province.
Chairman of Fundraising Elder James Dat stated that they decided to raise more than what the initial cost was in order to contribute to other programs run by their fellow Adventists in Jiwaka.
“The estimated cost was about K320, 000 but we decided to raise K500, 000, that way we can not only achieve the main purpose of our walkathon which is to contribute the construction of the VIP main Centre in Minj, but also to support another thirty-four VIP care centres in the province as well.”
“Currently, about 10, 000 people are being taken care of at these thirty-four care centres, and apparently they are going to establish twenty more next February – which will bring the number of centres up to fifty-four.”
Mr. Dat stated that this was the result of the people of Jiwaka coming up with the concept of caring for the vulnerable individuals – something he believes the government has overlooked.
“From our view, we’ve seen that the government has forgotten vulnerable and special people like widows, widowers and disabled people.”
“We’ve seen the policies and programs of the government, but the problem is these individuals have been left out.”
“The kind of roads being built, the kind of infrastructure being built, does not cater to these individuals – it does not give them access to certain services.”
According to a concept paper produced by the church, the VIP program has made a great impact on the lives of many neglected and outcast people, giving them support.
This led them to see hope in Jesus Christ and thus many received baptism last year.
The Walkathon event will take place from December 24th, 2023, to January 1st, 2024, signifying the end of the year and the beginning of the New Year.