ISLANDS PETROLEUM CHARITY FOUNDATION DONATED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO ST MARY’S HOSPITAL, VUNAPOPE

BY WASITA ROYAL

ISLANDS Petroleum is expanding its charity reach across the country, with a target to raise one million kina through its We Are One Foundation (WAO)

The foundation, known for its annual colour fun run, is scaling up from one centre to eight this year. This is a move that signals a new era for corporate philanthropy in Papua New Guinea.

Last year, the colour fun run in Kokopo raised over one hundred and sixty-five thousand kina and that money had helped buy a nearly one hundred thousand kina worth of medical equipment for Vunapope St Mary’s Hospital including delivery beds, sterilisers, and a surgical lighting system.

This year, the fun run will include other centres, Kokopo, Lae, Port Moresby, Kimbe, Kavieng, Madang, Alotau, and Popondetta.

“WAO works to promote unity, health, education, sustainability, community development in PNG by working closely with government authorities, health institutions, corporate partners and the communities,” explained Nicole Kamara the WAO Foundation Coordinator.

This foundation has provided a structured way to partner with health authorities and provincial governments giving corporate sponsors like Agmark, Tropicana, and G-Boi Enterprise a visible platform to show their support building a brand of loyalty in the community.

“I want to encourage other small local businesses to join force to the existing companies who continuously throw support during the colour fun run for the good of the community,” said the chairman of the Vunapope Hospital Board, Mr William Lamur.

This foundation isn’t going to stuck with the fun run alone; on Mother’s Day, May the 10th WAO will launch a musical festival in Port Moresby. The proceeds will go towards equipping the cervical cancer unit at the Port Moresby General Hospital. Kamara says it will become an annual event, with plans to eventually expand to other sections of the hospital and to Rabaul as well.

For the Islands Petroleum, this WAO Foundation seem to become more than a charitable arm but is now seen to be a model for how corporate PNG can do philanthropy at scale, with measurable impact, and with a growing footprint across the country.

This year’s target is one million kina which could change how businesses approach community investment in the years ahead.