The couple bringing a girl from PNG to Australia every Christmas

Linda Pasfield and Anthony Pforr, both photographers, first spotted Agness Titima in Port Moresby through the lens of their camera when she was six year old. 

It felt like fate. There was something about Aggy – as they call her – that captivated them immediately. They decided then and there that she was special.

The couple approached her mum, Sally, to see if there was anything they could do to help her financially – and the question was met by tears. 

“I actually thought that I had offended her – because she was crying so much,” Ms Pasfield said. 

“But I didn’t understand then what Agness’ story was. [Sally] had actually been praying for someone to help her.”

Aggy’s father left her mother when Aggy was born, leaving Sally to raise the child by herself – something that carries a huge stigma in Papua New Guinea.

Further, Aggy had been the target of a curse from witch doctors, seeking vengeance over a land dispute with her grandfather. She spent six months in a coma and nearly died – something her family believes was due to black magic. 

The pair were moved by Aggy’s story, and the potential in her that they could see. Eleven years later, they have stuck with their commitment. They continue to do whatever they can to support Aggy, including bringing her over for a school term when they lived in Brisbane. 

She also helped them move from Queensland to Tasmania in 2015.

“It’s so peaceful here, and lovely neighbours,” she said.  

“Living next to the river is just amazing.” 

In Port Moresby she lives inside police barracks, because her grandfather and uncles are all police officers. Seven people share her house, and she is mostly unable to leave due to the city’s high crime rate. 

“I can ride a bike here, or go for a long walk,” Aggy said. “In PNG, I can’t.” 

“It first, we just wanted to sponsor her, and then that moved to spending time with her,” Ms Pasfield said. 

“She’s like family, she’s like our youngest. My kids and Anthony’s kids treat Agness as a sister. They sort of took her under their wing and spent time with her.”

For Aggy, now 18, meeting the couple made her “excited and scared.”

“When I was small, I was scared of white people,” she laughed.

This Christmas Aggy is staying in Tasmania for five weeks. As well as joining in the big Christmas dinner they have planned, she is spending her time working at the Beaconsfield Newsagency – the first time the year twelve student has had an opportunity to have a job. 

“It’s pretty amazing,” she said. 

“I want to be a businesswoman, I haven’t decided what business yet though.”

Port Moresby has an unemployment rate of more than 60 per cent, so all jobs are highly coveted. 

The community hopes Aggy’s work experience at the newsagency will make it more likely that she will be one of the lucky few to find employment in her home city. 

They have also been going to church during her time in Beauty Point – although Ms Pasfield admits Aggy is a more regular parishioner than she is. 

“I have to be a little bit more disciplined,” she laughed. 

RELATED STORIES:

Sharpener’s idea to donate bikes to children in need is wild success

All you need to know for the Launceston Carols by Candlelight

Watch the animals have a ripper Christmas at Tasmania Zoo

While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox. Sign up here.