In Touch Media raises K85, 000 for flood victims

Lae-based local company In Touch Media Limited, in conjunction with its subsidiary FM Morobe 94.7 Radio Station, raised more than K85,000 in both cash and kind for the flood-devastated people of Oro through the 'Hands across the Land – Oro Appeal'.

In Touch Media and its subsidiaries including In Touch Multimedia Productions, Power Haus Records, In Touch Events and FM Morobe went on a 90-hour around-the- clock fundraising drive from last December 14 to December 17.

The initiative was part of In Touch Media’s community service that entailed mobilising corporation as ordinary residents of Lae city and Morobe province gave a helping hand to wantoks in Oro.

In Touch Media general manager, Lady Nohoranie Bogan, said: “The ‘Hands across the Land-Oro Appeal’ is the second for the local radio station, FM Morobe, following the ‘Asian Tsunami Appeal’ in 2004.

“The ‘Hands Across the Land –Oro Appeal’ was a success as it showed that there was compassion in people, especially ordinary people, who made up much of the FM Morobe 94.7 listenership and gave whatever little to the appeal.

“Donations poured in from a diverse group of people including churches, families, middle income workers, betel nut sellers and children who walked in from the street to contribute.”

Lady Nohoranie said the total raised in both cash and kind from business houses and the general public was K85, 241.62 and this was now in the trusted hands of St Andrews Local Parish in Oro for distribution.

“Shipment of the goods was made possible by Consort Shipping Lines,” she said.

“The donations included: one bale of 50 mosquito nets, three suitcases of assorted clothing, nine rainbow bags of assorted clothing, 180 boxes of clothes, two boxes of kitchen utensils, eight bales of assorted clothing, eight bales of assorted footware, 34 dozen garden items and 36 bales of 50 kg rice bags.

“The appeal was launched by the Secretary of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea and supported by Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Oro’s very own Ambassador Lucy Bogari.

“In Touch Media management acknowledges the following for their support in making the ‘Hands across the Land - Oro Appeal’ a success: Anglican Church of PNG, Ambassador Lucy Bogari and the Eroro community in Port Moresby, Lae police for their constant security presence throughout the appeal, numerous companies and business houses for their support in kind and the faithful listeners of FM Morobe and individual families, churches, organisation, community groups and the ordinary people of Morobe province.

“The donations were transshipped free of charge by Consort Shipping to Father Gombera of the Anglican Parish in Oro Bay and distributed to care centres at Eroro/Oro Bay, Gona/Kurou, and Emo.”