Friendships formed through advocating for animal welfare
Shared passion for animals drives fundraising and marketing initiatives at the RSPCA in Papua New Guinea.
For Australian volunteer Samantha Eismen, volunteering as a Marketing and Fundraising Mentor with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Papua New Guinea (RSPCA PNG) was more than just an assignment - it was an opportunity to make a lasting difference and build meaningful friendships.
RSPCA PNG, based in Port Moresby, is Papua New Guinea's only community-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to animal welfare. It provides sanctuary and care for abandoned and mistreated animals while educating the public about the importance of animal welfare. Samantha’s role focused on enhancing the marketing and media capabilities of the organisation to boost its visibility, reputation and fundraising efforts.
Samantha describes the local staff as ‘a powerhouse of support, kindness, and dedication.’ Together, they embraced digital tools such as implementing a Customer Relationship System (CRM) and setting up adoption pages on Facebook. These initiatives help the RSPCA reach a wider audience, strengthening the team’s marketing and media skills while building confidence to overcome challenges.
Building confidence and expertise
Samantha transferred a great deal of knowledge to the organisation’s Marketing and Media Officer, empowering them with the skills to navigate their responsibilities more effectively. The team has since delivered successful fundraising events such as a golf tournament, which attracted a record number of participants and funds raised.
‘I was fortunate to contribute to the team’s yearly fundraising events, introducing new tools and strategies to enhance their marketing efforts,’ shares Samantha. ‘Watching the team embrace and adapt to these innovations was deeply gratifying.’
One of Samantha’s highlights was working with her mentee, Theresa Charman, who is the Executive Assistant of Public Relations at RSPCA PNG. Their combined passion for animal welfare was fuelled through brainstorming, creating and implementing strategies that strengthened the RSPCA’s marketing and fundraising efforts. ‘It was immensely rewarding to watch Theresa's confidence and expertise grow, knowing she would continue to lead impactful initiatives long after my assignment ended,’ says Samantha.
‘More than colleagues’
The team at RSPCA PNG valued Samantha’s contribution and her commitment to adapting to the local culture by learning Tok Pison, which is one of over 800 languages spoken in PNG. Something Samantha found incredible to learn about. Her honest feedback facilitated fair communication, and her skills aligned with the organisation’s needs. Theresa shares: ‘Samantha built great relationships with everyone and quickly adapted to PNG culture. She was exceptionally caring towards staff members and had a deep love for animals. Her affection for the shelter animals was evident through her daily visits, where she formed strong bonds with them.’
For Samantha, the experience was defined by the relationships formed: ’We became more than colleagues; we became friends, united by a shared purpose of advocating for animal welfare.’
Because of this collaboration, RSPCA PNG is now in a strong position for sustained growth and impact in its mission to advocate for the welfare of animals in Papua New Guinea.
The team at RSPCA PNG encourage Australians to share their skills in upcoming assignments across Papua New Guinea. Theresa says: ’our people are warm and friendly, with a strong desire to learn new skills’.
