A Mother’s Journey to Protect Her Child

Mother Finds Support

Port Moresby, March 22, 2025 — A heart-wrenching story of resilience and community support emerged in Port Moresby this week as a mother shared her harrowing experience in seeking help for her nine-year-old daughter, who was taken to the highlands by her father and reportedly suffered abuse.

During a visit to the local Secretariat, the mother expressed her despair, saying, “If I wasn’t a strong mother type, I would have already collapsed from the pain.” Despite her urgent plea for assistance, she found little support at the Secretariat, leading her to seek help from the Tribal Foundation. It was here that she encountered a compassionate team willing to assist her in navigating the challenging circumstances.

Thanks to the dedication of the Tribal Foundation and generous contributions from donors, the mother’s daughter has returned home to Port Moresby and is currently receiving counseling to help her begin the healing process. The alleged molester has been arrested in the highlands and is expected to face justice in court next week.

The mother’s experience sheds light on systemic issues within local support frameworks, as she voiced frustration over bureaucratic processes failing to deliver timely aid to those in crisis. It is sickening and tiring to see frameworks and consultations that are sucking up all the money that is supposed to help the people in need.

This situation should prompt community advocates and organizations to reconsider how assistance is provided to vulnerable individuals. “Frameworks don’t work unless the people work.” This statement by Yambrumari, The White Pukpuk (Crocodile) urged for action-driven initiatives that directly engage with communities and address their immediate needs.

Source: Yambrumari, The White Pukpuk (Crocodile)