Post Courier December 31, 2020
RAMU NiCo Management (MCC) Limited, last week, donated food items to a group of Manam islanders from Dugulava village, living at Mangem care centre in Sumkar, Madang Province.
The islanders, who had been displaced following a volcanic eruption more than a decade ago, shared stories of land at the care centre being over-used, making the soil infertile to grow crops, and conflicts with the locals from the area forcing them to live in fear and misery.
Spokeswoman of the Dugulava villagers, Makom Ururu, who wrote the letter to the MCC seeking assistance, said during this time of the Christmas, many activities happened at the care centre, however, there are some very disadvantaged or poor families who miss out.
The villagers do their own fundraising and often get donations also and share equally among themselves, but still need more assistance.
Mrs Ururu said it was her idea to approach potential donors particularly business houses with a kind heart and generosity, to assist their people.
“I am thankful to MCC for their immediate response to our request for assistance when other business houses were hesitant to help.” she said.
“MCC is living by its motto of ‘one Ramu NiCo, one community’ during this Christmas festive period and we salute the company for that very kind and generous gesture.”
She said what they received would be used in a traditional “exchange basket” program at the care centre.
Mrs Ururu said the basket exchange would help the islanders’ families to do fundraising towards their children’s school fees and other necessities.
It would also support families with small macro business activities like table-market sales, poultry raising, baking and selling items to sustain their living at the care centre.