Despite criticism from the public about associations hosting fundraising nights to raise funds for their own benefits, the student associations in the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) are committed to their end of year projects and are keen on giving a helping hand in their respective provinces. The UPNG Manus Students Association’s Vice President Isaiah Ioate stated in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG that project ‘Karai Blo Chauka’ was part of an initiative to fundraise and purchase medical supplies and mobility aids for the people in the Manus Hospital in the month of November. “Karai blo Chauka’ was an initiative of the 2023 Executives of the Manus Students Association. At UPNG trying to give back to their home province.” “It reflects how we (Manus children) want to give back to our people.” MSA Executives had been in liaison with the Manus Provincial Health Authorities (PHA) and found out that the hospital had seven wards and only one run-down wheel chair that all the patients used. As such, they started to fundraise to purchase items for medical equipment and mobility aids. “We came up with the project as this year’s annual project. The Basic gist was to give medical and mobility equipment to the Manus PHA.” UPNG MSA 2023 executives, according to Ioate, had received donated medical equipment and mobility aids from the City Pharmacy retail outlet in Lorengau from Ms. Cynthia Kewei of CHAUKA in partnership with its exclusive retail partner Jacks of PNG, as well as a K5, 000 grant from Kina Bank through their community support program and from the families from Manus as well who wanted to support the cause. Ioate stated that the total cost that covered the donated items including cost of shipping, was K19, 000. The Association helped deliver much needed medical equipment and mobility aids to the Manus Provincial Health Authority and the Manus Provincial Hospital. A combined total of 4 baby weighing scales, 12 pulse oximeters, 2 nebulizers, 2 oxygen flowmeters, 6 arm slings, 15 blood pressure machines/monitors, 11 glucose machines/monitors, 9 adult weighing scales, 12 digital thermometers, 4 otoscopes, 2 fetal Doppler with gels, 8 wheelchairs, 10 boxes of gloves and 2 pairs of crutches were donated to the Manus Provincial Health Authority and the Manus Provincial Hospital. “We would like to thank Mr. Francis Possy, the CEO of the MPHA, Mr. Daniel Kelesiani and Mr. Cosmas Lowangelo for receiving us and making time for this donation drive.” “We had to do something to help our people because the government couldn’t be at two places at once.” Meanwhile, Ioate added that it was a challenge getting the Manus students at UPNG to cooperate with the executives for the fundraising drives throughout the year but they are relieved that they managed to succeed with their initiative. “This experience has helped us to realize that we are able to identify what our people need and help in any way that we can.”