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In a significant development for the remote coastal village of Sirifara in Papua New Guinea's Northern Province, the Olgeta Foundation was recently approached with a heartfelt plea from Councilor Robin Safitoa. Representing a community that had been devoid of basic health services for four decades, Robin presented a compelling case for support to outfit their newly completed Aid Post. The initiative to construct this facility was a bold step taken in 2022 by the villagers themselves, culminating in its completion in 2023, thereby marking a new chapter in their pursuit of accessible healthcare.


Recognizing the critical need and the potential impact of this endeavor, the Olgeta Foundation reached out to Del Cole, the director of Someone Who Cares, a like-minded Brisbane-based foundation with a history of successful collaborations. Del's response was nothing short of enthusiastic, echoing a shared commitment to making a tangible difference in underserved communities. This synergy between the two organizations has set the stage for a promising partnership aimed at equipping the Aid Post in Sirifara, which serves a population of approximately 5,000 people across the village and its surrounding wards.


The collaborative effort between the Olgeta Foundation and Someone Who Cares represents a significant stride towards bridging the healthcare gap in Sirifara. The partnership's goal extends beyond merely providing the physical infrastructure; it encompasses a holistic approach to healthcare delivery, including the provision of medical supplies, beds, and essential equipment necessary to make the Aid Post fully operational by the end 2024.


This joint initiative is not just about the tangible aspects of healthcare provision but also about instilling hope and empowerment within the Sirifara community. The Aid Post stands as a testament to what can be achieved when community leaders like Robin Safitoa take decisive action towards addressing the needs of their people, and when organizations such as the Olgeta Foundation and Someone Who Cares join forces to support such visionary community projects.


As plans unfold to outfit the Aid Post, the partnership is exploring all avenues to ensure that the facility is equipped with everything necessary to provide quality healthcare services. From basic medical supplies to advanced equipment, the focus is on creating a healthcare environment that is both accessible and sustainable, ensuring that the residents of Sirifara and the neighboring wards can look forward to a future where essential health services are within reach.


This collaboration between the Olgeta Foundation and Someone Who Cares is a shining example of how partnerships can amplify the impact of grassroots initiatives, transforming the lives of communities and setting a precedent for future endeavors in similar contexts. As the project progresses, the eyes of many will be on Sirifara, watching as this beacon of hope rises to meet the healthcare needs of its people, thanks to the concerted efforts of those who truly care.

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In a remarkable demonstration of community spirit and collaboration, the Olgeta Foundation is still navigating through significant logistical challenges to facilitate the delivery of the donated hospital beds to Papua New Guinea. This effort was made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Brisbane Royal and Women's Hospital and the invaluable assistance of Del Cole and her organization, 'Someone Who Cares.


'However, the donation presented unique challenges. We grappled with issues related to the collection of the beds, storage solutions, and delivery logistics, the hospital assisted where they could assisting with delivering the beds to us over a week and this collaboration with them was a great experience however there is much more needing to be done to get the beds to PNG. Immediately what to do with so many hospital beds being released to us in a short period of time? You could say there was definitely a time there when we were getting desperate for solutions.


The real turning point came when Craig connected with Del Cole, the director of 'Someone Who Cares' – an Australian non-profit organization. This small, dedicated team, comprising of Del, Davin, and Roz, is known for their two decades of dedicated service in aiding Papua New Guinea and other Pacific/Asian nations through donations to schools and hospitals. They stepped in to offer a helping hand.


Craig De Wit with Del Cole, the director of 'Someone Who Cares'


In an act of extraordinary generosity, they provided a truck for transporting the beds from the hospital, when the hospital couldn’t, as well as collecting from afar nearly two tonnes of donated bed linen and helping to wrap and package it, they assisted with purchasing containers, and gave us priceless advice along the way. This contribution was not just logistical but also significantly enhanced the overall success of this part of the project. We are very thankful for the help by these amazing people.




The other challenge was to fill 40ft containers with the beds, each weighing 145 kg, and we desperately needed help. Our young PNG ambassador, Murray Thistlethwaite, took action and called for assistance via social media. We were overwhelmed by the number of young people who turned up to help which included Sonia Thistlethwaite, Alida Thistlethwaite, David Thistlethwaite, Kieran Maskelyne, Ryan Maskelyne, Tatiana Belapuna, Howard Yanda, Francis Ikupu, Frank Kabalu, Haresh Ramanan, Isabella Asnicar, Mary Kowas, Conila Kuk, Sean Lamur, Ju-Ho Lee, Alorah Puritau, Ruth Kawale and our boy’s Julien and Alex de Wit,  their friend Jenco (the Gentle Giants) and many others.



Even Murray’s Aunty and Uncle got involved! Further Craig’s niece, Jana and her husband Lachlan Walker allowed us to store the containers on their property whilst we loaded them with the beds. A heartfelt thank you to every one of you.


The success of this endeavour would not be possible without so many people coming together to help make it happen, hence our Foundation name “Olgeta” a pidgin word literally meaning all together.


Now we will be focusing our efforts on shipping the containers to PNG and planning distribution to the outer islands where these beds are most desperately needed.





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The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) has chosen to donate 197 hospital beds to the Olgeta Foundation LTD for delivery to Papua New Guinea. This significant contribution stems from a collaborative effort between RBWH and the Olgeta Foundation, led by Dr. Ken Thistlethwaite, the Medical Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at RBWH and the Director of the Olgeta Foundation.


This donation of hospital beds addresses a critical need, particularly in remote villages where healthcare infrastructure is lacking. Currently, patients in these areas receive treatment on woven mats on the floor, underscoring the urgent need for proper medical equipment. This act of generosity not only underscores RBWH's dedication to global health but also reflects the personal commitment of charitable organizations such as the Olgeta Foundation.


The 197 hospital beds are poised to make a significant difference in enhancing the quality of care and medical services available to the local population in Papua New Guinea. Collaborations and acts of kindness like these play a crucial role in bolstering healthcare infrastructure and providing support to communities in need. This initiative serves as an inspiring example of the positive impact achievable through partnerships between healthcare institutions and foundations committed to improving global health outcomes.


Moreover, this act of generosity not only delivers tangible support in the form of essential medical equipment but also signifies the broader commitment of healthcare institutions and charitable foundations to the advancement of global health. The effects of such collaborations extend beyond the physical donation, fostering hope, well-being, and a sense of community support in the recipient regions. Initiatives like these indeed serve as inspiring models for the positive change attainable when organizations and individuals unite with a shared goal of fortifying healthcare infrastructure and contributing to the welfare of communities in need.


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