Can you imagine living somewhere that no road can reach? And yet, you are connected to it each time you pour your coffee, spread your toast, or nibble chocolate…
Located in the isolated heart of Papua New Guinea [PNG], the Sorita community sits one kilometre from the nearest signs of human life. Dense jungle sprawls as far as the eye can see.
And yet, Sorita provides treasures sought after by millions worldwide. Simple pleasures many of us couldn’t live without.
Cacao beans – the source of chocolate – are lovingly grown by Norman Mondo, one of PNG’s leading cacao farmers.
Without the sale of these precious crops, Norman wouldn’t have a livelihood. His children wouldn’t go to school. There would be no food, no future and no hope for him and his forgotten community.
But it’s not your demand for produce that isolated farmers need. It’s the fact that you can make it possible for them to safely access the nearest town and get their crops to market.
And that’s something you can do right now. By giving $190 today,
you can ensure MAF aircraft continue to arrive at isolated communities, connecting farmers like Norman with the outside world
Plus, every gift given before 31st March will be matched* by a group of generous donors, DOUBLNG your impact and making even more flights possible.
In the past, it took farmers days to walk from crop fields to the nearest airstrip, where their produce would be flown to market. Only those who could carry the enormous 63kg bags through dense jungle would be able to feed and educate their children.
This perilous journey is known all too well by Misis Siwi, a cacao picker from Sorita who works for Norman.
“To walk, it takes two days sleeping in the bush,” says the mother of four. “On the third day, we finally reach the road.”
Many have risked their lives on the hazardous journey to the airstrip. Even if they do make it and there is room for their crops on the plane, it may not be enough - as many could have been spoiled and burned on this long trek, leaving them unsellable.
Norman decided his community has been forgotten long enough.
“It wasn’t wise or sustainable to bring heavy loads over such long distances,” he said. “This area has been neglected for too long. I’m grateful that God has blessed me, so I made the investment for our future.”
Using the money from his cacao plantation, Norman decided to construct an airstrip and, on 25 May 2025, life for the Sorita community changed forever when a MAF plane finally arrived.
“They told us a plane would come”, said Misis, a smile lightening up her weathered face. “Then we saw it circling. We couldn’t shout or cheer, we were just overwhelmed. Tears filled our eyes.”
Honoured to make the first landing were female New Zealand MAF pilots Bridget Ingham and Glenys Watson, who left a deep impression on the community. Their 30-minute flight saved a village risking their lives on bush tracks over many days.
“We saw two women in the plane – and it was a new beginning,” said Misis, “God has opened a way. All of it comes from God.”
You can ensure MAF planes reach more isolated villages in 2026. Your gift of $190 could fuel another 30-minute flight, bringing a lifeline of hope for people cut off from the outside world.
And, if you give before 31st March, your donation will be matched*, doubling your impact and flying twice as far!
With MAF planes flying directly from farm to market, Norman and his team no longer need to put their lives in danger to secure income. Not only that, but MAF identify potential buyers in advance, securing a sale of their crops.
“Now, the MAF plane lands right here in Sorita and takes the cacao straight to Goroka. Our struggles have eased.”
This also means that missionaries and teachers can be flown straight to their village, lives can be saved in a medical emergency, and isolated communities can continue to develop.
Since Norman began farming cacao, he has invested his income into God’s mission – supporting the construction of a health centre in Sorita, planting churches around the Karimui district, and funding flights for missionaries and pastors to share the Good News.
“God has opened a way since Norman put God first. The first thing he does is fund God’s mission, support people, and help those in need,” says Misis, “we want to see the Word of God reach everyone. That’s why we help, we are seeing the change both spiritually and physically.”
But for farmers like Norman and Misis to continue being the hands-and-feet of Jesus in their community, they must be able to access the nearest town. Their lives, and the development of Sorita is dependent on it.
Your gift today can make this possible.
Today, MAF lands at nine remote airstrips across Simbu Province. Almost every flight transports cacao, coffee, peanuts and vanilla to the market town of Goroka.
Each one a lifeline for isolated farmers.
But a MAF aircraft not only transports produce to market. It also makes possible medical evacuations, delivery of school supplies and opportunities for long-term development. An aircraft is truly a demonstration of God's love.
Please make a life-changing gift today.
Your gift of $190 could fuel a 30-minute flight from a remote village, giving local farmers, families and entire communities access to the outside world, and to a brighter future.
Imagine the hope they will feel, when they see that aircraft circling overhead.
*Every gift made before 31 March will be matched up to the total of $28,500 - doubling your impact and reaching more communities across 2026. Anything beyond this will go towards the area of most need.