Touched by a Kokoda angel

By MALUM NALU

The heartbreaking loss of an expectant young Kokoda woman in 2008 turns into a blessing for all of Kokoda on the inaugural Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day to be held there tomorrow.

The Kokoda ambulance at St John’s Ambulance yard at Rainbow in Port Moresby.-Picture by JEFF KEOUGH

Indilah Sakiki, from Waju village in Kokoda, died of cerebral malaria on July 22, 2008 and because of the transport difficulties in getting her to hospital.

Her death so touched Australian Jeff Keough, a good mate and former workmate of her husband Daniel Sakiki, that he started an organisation called Kokoda Angels to raise funds for an ambulance in memory of Indilah Sakiki for the people of Kokoda.

For the last two years, he has been single-handedly approaching people and organisations in Australia to help the people of Kokoda, the start of the famous Kokoda Track which saved Australia during World War 11.

Such has been the response that Keough has been able to bring a fully-kitted Toyota Landcruiser ambulance, the first of its kind in the country, into Port Moresby.

He was planning to fly into it into Kokoda today by helicopter, in time for Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day celebrations, however, a last-minute change of plans means the ambulance will be shipped into Popondetta on Nov 9 and then driven to Kokoda.

“Kokoda Angels started when my friend’s wife died of malaria seven months into her pregnancy,” Keough, who is married to a Papua New Guinean woman, told me.

“Because there was no vehicle in that area, I started a charity to raise support and get an ambulance vehicle and medical assistance.

“It’s been two years now since it was started.

“The vehicle has been here in Port Moresby, at St John’s Ambulance, for three months now, where we’ve been preparing it for Kokoda as well as trying to organise transport.”

Front view of the Kokoda ambulance

Keough said the ambulance would not have been possible without the help of Sandvik Mining (which donated the vehicle), Penrite, Kumho Tyres, Alltrac 4WD, Century Batteries, Roof Rack City, Terrain Tamer, Speedy Wheels, Variety Masters, Consort Shipping, SBS Electrical, St John’s Ambulance and South Australian premier Mike Rann.

“It will be used to support the 15 aids posts in ward 10, Kokoda,” he said.

“We’re working together with Kokoda Foundation, who have helped with supply of medical kits and we’ll be helping to transport patients.

“The truck is a mining service vehicle so it’s extra heavy-duty, has lock-up cabinets and we’ve put beds and canopy at the back for patients.

“It’s been fitted with a bulbar and winch, radio, spot lights and siren.”

Keough is no newcomer to PNG, having assisted PNG as a volunteer and aid worker during the 1994 volcanic eruptions in Rabaul, 1999 El Nino-induced drought, 1998 Aitape tsunami, 2007 Northern province cyclone and many others.

He asked people who were willing to assist Kokoda Angels to contact him on mobile 73368478 or visit its website http://www.kokodaangels.com.