Love for the Mamalais

Most of the Mamalai tribe and wider circle have heard about the devastating passing of Oscar Mamalai. He was taken from his beautiful family on Saturday, 2 May 2020 (his 46th birthday) by a random and catastrophic brain anurysum.

It's incredibly difficult to understand how and why something like this can happen to such an incredible and selfless man, and a family who've already endured so much.  Sarah, Oscar's wife, who he adorded wholeheartedly, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2007, and was originally expected to live only 3-18 months. That was 13 years ago and we are blessed beyond words that Sarah is still here with us.  But this hasn't come without it's challenges. After intense treatment and three brain surgeries, Sarah has physical and cognitive impairments that prevent her from working and driving.  Oscar was the income-earner, driver, and primary carer to Sarah, while together the two of them raised their beautiful boys, Joe and Will, now 17 and 14.

As you can imagine, this will have a significant impact on Sarah and the boys in so many ways. There are also significant costs for Oscar's private funeral and buriel service.

Many people from the amazing Mamalai community have asked how they can contribute and have asked to set up a Go Fund Me page to help with financial assistance. While Sarah and the boys are not completely comfortable with this, they have accepted it, and understand why it's important to embrace the gift of generosity.  

In Oscar's PNG culture, if someone gives you a gift you graciously accept it, with much love and gratitude. This is what Sarah and the boys will do. 

Everyone who knew Oscar knows he had a lot of love to give and was always there for others. He put the needs of others ahead of his own. And while he was incredibly generous, his own strength of character and pride made it difficult for him to ask for, or accept, help, but he did when they needed it most. 

We have also set up a page in the app "Gather My Crew". People can register to help Sarah and the boys with a range of things, from meals, garden maintenance, transport etc. There is currently not much on there but if you register now you will be notified of 'tasks' available to help the family. This is the invitation that people can follow to the website - https://app.gathermycrew.org/action/invitesecret=77d344c46ff38543c44a781371d0dbf7 

With love and gratitude, always xxx