There are not too many different ways to tell the ROMAC story, because the organisation does the same thing each and every year by saving the lives of thirty (30) to forty (40) children. Their lives are saved by providing very sophisticated medical treatment in Australia or New Zealand. That medical treatment in most cases doesn’t exist in their home country or is certainly not available to them.
ROMAC is an all-volunteer program, mainly Rotarians, giving great service to the children of neighbouring, developing countries, such as Timor Leste, PNG, Solomon Islands; Vanuatu, Fiji and the like. Iand is eternally grateful for the strong support of the Rotary network in AUS and NZ. In fact it would not exist if it were not for the Rotary network which includes Clubs here in Western Australia.
In Australia, we take a great deal for granted, and we expect a lot in regard to health and welfare. The majority of us are blessed with family who have all their faculties, enjoy a healthy lifestyle and live in a safe environment - children who live in a country that enables any medical condition to be treated, generally, at birth, or in the early years of life.
But ROMAC patients don’t have the luxury of such a system, and it’s only by good fortune that they find their way into ROMAC’s arms, and you can help make it all happen.
ROMAC’s children are aged fifteen (15) years and younger and their conditions include untreated fractures, massive tumours, herniated brain, severe burns and heart conditions. Some conditions can’t be seen, many are disturbing to even look at. It’s impossible to imagine how hopeless these children – and their parents - feel. Often the children are hidden away, unable to go to school, their families shunned by others in their community.
Since starting in 1988, ROMAC has provided life-saving medical treatment to over 450 children.
In recent news you probably heard or read about a Melbourne medical team which surgically separated conjoined twins. It wasn’t ROMAC this time, but twenty (20) years ago it was the Bosin twins from Bougainville. To read about them and also In more recent times when ROMAC looked after Geua (Gay – Wa) from PNG, Click here.
And so it is for thirty (30) to forty (40) children every year
It can only happen because ROMAC receives great support from the medical profession. Not so much from Hospital administrators. ROMAC is charged about $8000 per night for a paediatric ICU.
But as mentioned earlier, all the logistical work, all the fund raising, all the marshalling of people such as interpreters, arranging accommodation is done by Rotary volunteers – ROMAC has no paid staff, our offices are our dining room tables.
The other key ingredient and one vital for ROMAC’s continuing with the program --- the support of the Rotary network - Clubs, Rotarians, Interact etc------------------- -- that generosity makes it all happen.
Donations To donate Click here