Supporting our Mum Iva through cancer

Many of you will have met our Mum, Iva Magaga. Mum is a proud Gunantuna Tolai woman from Matalau village in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

Mum is one of the most influential educators in PNG. She has educated many of the leaders of PNG, and inspired educators around the world.

Many years ago Mum formally adopted Lorena according to Tolai custom. She has since made connections with many of you in Aotearoa. Those of you who met Mum in person can understand our enormous love for her.

To our great sadness Mum has been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer at 66 years of age. Mum needs urgent treatment in order to keep her with us.

We expect the cost of Mum’s initial treatment to be around $70,000 NZD (155,000 PGK). We are hoping to bring Mum to Aotearoa for treatment, which the doctors have recommended due to the limited options in PNG.

In this very difficult situation we would be endlessly grateful for any contributions from our communities. Everything donated will go towards Mum’s medical costs.

Knowing this is a hard time for a lot of people, we don’t make this request lightly.

Mum has touched the lives of many people across the Pacific. We can only wish for this to continue, and that her strength and hunger for life will keep her with us for many years to come. Mum is looking forward to writing the stories of her people for future generations. We are doing everything we can to ensure this happens. Thank you again for any contribution you can make.

Much love,

Lorena & James