Remembering Eileen Tugum

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of a passionate member of the Fred family. Eileen Tugum, our much-loved Papua New Guinea (PNG) Country Manager, passed this week having shown incredible bravery during a period of illness.

Eileen dedicated her life to supporting and advocating for the people of Papua New Guinea. Following an esteemed career as a journalist and civil society leader, Eileen joined Team Fred as PNG country manager in early 2021 and set straight to work. Eileen was instrumental in cementing The Foundation’s relationship with the PNG government, and a key proponent of initial planning for the proposed Centre of Excellence in Eye Health.

But it was Eileen’s personal warmth and good nature, combined with her positive and determined spirit that impacted everyone she encountered the most. From Port Moresby to Auckland, we all benefited from Eileen’s determination, commitment to social justice, genuine care for people and ability to identify and encourage positive action regardless of the situation.

Despite our great sorrow at losing Eileen from our team, we are all so much the better for knowing her. A true one in a million, Eileen will certainly live on in her family, the huge number of people she has helped and, for Team Fred, in our work and our actions.