By Mimi Pio
A father from Goroka turns to painting to help cover his daughter’s medical expenses.
While attending to his daughter, Bomber Bauo, from Goroka paints and sells his artwork at 4th Street in Lae to raise funds for his 16-year-old daughter, Anna-lee Bauo, who has been bedridden for almost two years.
According to Bauo, his daughter Anna-lee, a Grade 8 student from Kainantu Primary School, fell ill last year and was first admitted to Kainantu District Hospital. Her condition worsened, and she was later transferred to Goroka General Hospital, where she spent nine months in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), then later was diagnosed with Tuberculosis.
Earlier this year, Anna-lee was referred to Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Bauo admitted that the cost of medicine is very high. He said, sometimes he buys drugs from pharmacies when the hospital runs out of supply.
Bauo explained that sometimes his daughter stays without medication for one or two weeks until they raise enough money to afford medication.
He sells his paintings for K250 to K300 each, and uses the proceeds to pay for Anna-lee’s medical needs.
Despite the challenges, Bauo remains determined to support his daughter through her recovery.
