Tess Gizoria passed away recently after a long fight with cancer. This post on 4 December 2024 when she was undergoing chemotherapy says a lot about PNG’s priorities:
“I know my portion is life and life in abundance. But even in saying that, I’m grateful for 34 days in hospital. 34 days where it was touch and go for more than half that time.
34 days where I flatlined once. 34 days where I saw the Hand of God every single one of those days.
But I’m not here to talk about my spiritual journey. That is a private matter I’m not ready to share at this time.
What I did want to say is sometimes God allows us to go through things so those of us who can speak up should speak up.
It all started in February 2023 when I met those 14 women battling breast cancer and undergoing chemo at POM Gen. I also met those nurses and the conditions under which they mix the highly toxic chemo drugs.
I met the 18 year old who had to fly with his parents from Kundiawa to POM everytime for chemo. I met the the lady with 3 kids who was a peanut farmer on the hills behind NBC 5mile who only had the K460 she needed for her first round of chemo that year and ended up never returning.
I met my Sepik sisters who would fly in every month for chemo and fly back home because they either had no where to stay here in POM or no money for upkeep while here. We lost Melody that April. I still remember her face. I remember her youngest/teenage daughter’s face who accompanied her mama every time.
I’ll never forget that April 2023. It was my son’s birthday when Melody and I went in for our chemo session along with the 4 others. I’ll never forget Melody. I’ll never forget all I owe my people of Sepik for the fact that God has given me a second chance at life.
Some of us may never be able to do a whole lot for PNG. But Sepik blo mi yah, ol mama, pikinini na lain blo yumi ba nonap raun painim halivim or dai osem. This will not continue. Our leadership is doing wonders and more such leaders will rise up.
That is my hope and strong belief!
Pic: The PET scan at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia. This will be our Boram and our Raihu Hospitals. Soon and very soon!
mamagraun”
END
RIP Tess
Academia Nomad 
I obviously never met, Tess Gizoria and she like so many others did not get the treatment that she deserved. And she made a very true and important statement when she said ” those of us who can speak up should speak up.” Until everyone who see things that are important and Wrong start to Speak up, we will never see Equitable justice in PNG. Why do unnecessary K2+m. Road Upgrades take precedence over Cancer Treatment for Our Women and Mothers. God Bless Her and may she rest in peace.
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