By MATTHEW VARI
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)
SPECIAL Olympics PNG (SOPNG) hosted its successful fun day and forum last weekend at the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) gymnasium in Port Moresby.
Advocating for the rights of People With Disabilities (PWDs) in sport, health, and education- the day was held to create awareness of the needs of the intellectually disabled, and was also a lead-up meet to major events for the year.
SOPNG President Takale Tuna said that the event had strong representation from PWDs from the Central Province also, which he said was vital in spreading the role of the organization.
What we are trying to do is to achieve what Special Olympics is all about, which is the three components of advocating health, education and sport.
“Today’s event is to address the health component of the program and the turnout has been very good, few more families have come on board with kids with intellectual disability which we look after,” the former sprint champion said.
“Guest to the day included Psychiatrist Dr Uma Ambi, who came and had in depth discussion with families on how to deal with the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our communities.”
“We had people coming all the way from Gabagaba , Tubuseria ,Vabukori ,Porebada, Pari,and Hanuabada.
Tuna added that they had a long way to go in reaching all PWDs, with only 500 members reached, he thanked those involved with the organisation.
“We have only reached 500 people, and it is estimated that there are 250,000 in PNG alone so you can imagine that we have only scratched the surface and we still have to roll out to the other provinces.”
“When we started in 2012 and 2013 we ran it nearly every month, but we have scaled back a bit as everything depends on funding.”
“We are actually grateful and thankful to Digicel for coming on board with K150,000 a year for the next three years, that help us immensely,” he added.
“With support sponsors like the PNG Sports Foundation, Lae Biscuits, Paradise foods- those are individuals who just come and support us.”
With volunteers running the programs, Mr Tuna said he was impressed with their progress in thus far.
“This year program we have a calendar of events, basically two major events SP Games and we are also sending a team over to Los Angeles USA to compete in the World Summer Games.”
“We are all excited and the patron of the summer games is President Barak Obama who has invited our Prime Minister and his wife to go over there for PNG to be well represented at that level,” Tuna concluded.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)
SPECIAL Olympics PNG (SOPNG) hosted its successful fun day and forum last weekend at the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) gymnasium in Port Moresby.
Advocating for the rights of People With Disabilities (PWDs) in sport, health, and education- the day was held to create awareness of the needs of the intellectually disabled, and was also a lead-up meet to major events for the year.
SOPNG President Takale Tuna said that the event had strong representation from PWDs from the Central Province also, which he said was vital in spreading the role of the organization.
What we are trying to do is to achieve what Special Olympics is all about, which is the three components of advocating health, education and sport.
“Today’s event is to address the health component of the program and the turnout has been very good, few more families have come on board with kids with intellectual disability which we look after,” the former sprint champion said.
“Guest to the day included Psychiatrist Dr Uma Ambi, who came and had in depth discussion with families on how to deal with the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our communities.”
“We had people coming all the way from Gabagaba , Tubuseria ,Vabukori ,Porebada, Pari,and Hanuabada.
Tuna added that they had a long way to go in reaching all PWDs, with only 500 members reached, he thanked those involved with the organisation.
“We have only reached 500 people, and it is estimated that there are 250,000 in PNG alone so you can imagine that we have only scratched the surface and we still have to roll out to the other provinces.”
“When we started in 2012 and 2013 we ran it nearly every month, but we have scaled back a bit as everything depends on funding.”
“We are actually grateful and thankful to Digicel for coming on board with K150,000 a year for the next three years, that help us immensely,” he added.
“With support sponsors like the PNG Sports Foundation, Lae Biscuits, Paradise foods- those are individuals who just come and support us.”
With volunteers running the programs, Mr Tuna said he was impressed with their progress in thus far.
“This year program we have a calendar of events, basically two major events SP Games and we are also sending a team over to Los Angeles USA to compete in the World Summer Games.”
“We are all excited and the patron of the summer games is President Barak Obama who has invited our Prime Minister and his wife to go over there for PNG to be well represented at that level,” Tuna concluded.
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