Papua New Guinea is Australia’s closest neighbour, with only 160km between the two countries.
There are more than 850 languages spoken in PNG.
More than a third of children in the country are moderately or severely malnourished and the country has the highest infant mortality rate in the Pacific.
It is estimated that 75% of children in PNG live in households that have suffered domestic violence.
Only 50% of children like Ravu are immunised, making them highly vulnerable to serious but mostly preventable diseases.
Ravu and his mother both contracted Tuberculosis. “I was so sorry for my mummy when she was sick. I decided not to go to school anymore and just stayed at home with her.”
Grace is only 10 years old, and has suffered from tuberculosis twice. ChildFund-supported mobile health clinics reached children like Grace and Ravu with vaccinations, medication and health education.
We worked with the community to establish backyard gardens across 20 schools, so that children can learn farming techniques while also being able to make healthy and nutritious school lunches.
We’re supporting 9 different primary schools with education materials, teacher training and development of child-centered learning methodologies.
ChildFund has supported mobile health clinics to provide immunisation, education and medicine to the most remote communities across central province. Last year ChildFund immunised 2,236 babies.
