Faithful Catholics and citizens in Vanimo, Sandaun Province are transforming the town in preparation for the Pope’s visit to the Papua New Guinea province next month.
The preparations in the province is being led by Father Miguel, who gave an update to the Post-Courier Online on the work currently taking place on the ground.
“Work on the ground, we have put up some banners to welcoming Pope Francis, posted in their places. we have also cut the grass at the side of the roads.
“From Vanimo to Baro, a 15-minute drive outside Vanimo town is already clean, everyone is doing their best all villagers are doing their part in cleaning the area in putting the flowers so it looks very beautiful from what it usually is, it is very clean,” Father Miguel shared on the progress.
One of the challenges with the preparation right now is funding. Funding has been allocated from the provincial Government but they need more to carry out the preparations, Father Miguel said.
Despite the funding problem, it has not slowed down the preparations.
In Baro where the Pope will visit, a footpath for the Pope is being constructed for the Pope’s wheelchair from their own pockets.
Chairperson for the Papal visit Bishop Rozario Menezes SMM, stressed that the Papal visit team is working closely with the organising team in Vanimo, with preparations on track.
“We are working hand in hand with the team in Vanimo, a team from National Events went to Vanimo last week to see the place and get the list of materials that they need, to put up a stage there.
“Holy Father will meet with all the faithfuls of Vanimo, preparations for the stage are going well. The team came back to get all the materials to go back and put up a stage,” Bishop Rozario said.
Pope Francis will travel to Vanimo on Sunday, 08 September and will fly back to Port Moresby The visit is expected to bring all the Catholics from rural parts of Sandaun province to Vanimo town.
Meanwhile, People in Vanimo are panning Gold from the river to help with preparations for the Pope’s Visit.
Argentinian missionary Father Martin Prado from the Holy Trinity Parish in Baro, 20-minute drive outside Vanimo said they have not yet received funds for preparations.
Despite this, the people are doing all they can with fundraising.
Last week when father Prado traveled to a rural Parish called Maka, near the Sepik River, the people were panning gold to go sell at the town to assist with preparations.
“The People in the Bush I went there last week and they are doing many ways fundraisings, some are going to the river to search for Gold.
“We are preparing and working hard, no funds yet no money had come even when the newspaper said fund, but nothing.
Bishop Rozario Menezes chairperson of the Papal visit committee said a budget was presented to the government and the government is willing to help help in any way.
“I think they are paying for the services, not stages, whatever we ask them thwy are ready to help, ” Bishop Rozario said.
According to the tentative programme, Pope Francis will fly to Vanimo Sandaun Province, on the afternoon of Sunday 08 September.
While in the province Bishop Manezes reveal that the Pope will visit the Lujan centre for girls and then will Travel to Baro where Father Prado’s Paris is.