Mary MacKillop Today’s Inclusive Communities is a vital program in Papua New Guinea aiming to increase access to inclusive health and education services while raising awareness of the rights of people with disability in remote village communities. People with disability in PNG face discrimination, segregation, isolation as well as social and physical barriers that restrict their ability to fully participate in society. Our partnership with Callan Vanimo Inclusive Education Resource Centre enables volunteers to be trained to assess, identify and refer people with disability to available health services while also holding community days and raising awareness about the rights of people with disability through engaging, fun and creative activities. It’s estimated that 955,000 people in PNG living with disability do not have access to social support, health services or education. Last year, thanks to you, the number of our volunteers increased by 11 to 31 with an additional 77 people with disability identified by our volunteers. Our volunteers work to determine the level of support required to enable all to achieve their social, educational and health goals, transforming their lives. This project received support from the Australian Government through an Australian Aid: Friendship Grant.
