Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Ok Tedi Development Foundation Donates Vehicle to Kiunga Vocational Centre
The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) endorsed its commitment to supporting education in Western Province through the donation of a vehicle to the Kiunga Vocational Centre (KVC).
The handover took place at the Brown House 2 car park in Kiunga witnessed by the OTDF Board of Directors including the Chairman of the board, Mr. Jesse Pile. The Board of Directors handed over the car keys to Kiunga Vocational Centre Principal Mr. Andrew Yima and two Heads of Department.
Principal Mr. Andrew Yima, on behalf of KVC’s staff and students, expressed appreciation for OTDF’s contribution, noting the vehicle will improve mobility and operational efficiency for the centre. He added this support will further enable KVC to deliver high-quality vocational training that meets industry needs and prepares students for employment or entrepreneurship. “Thank you OTDF, we are grateful to receive this asset from you. You have contributed greatly to our school with this asset.” Said Mr. Yima during the handover.
The OTDF Board Chairman Mr. Pile in his remarks emphasised the significance of this support, stating: “It is with so much joy I present this vehicle to you today. Institutions like Kiunga Vocational Centre are important to us because you educate and prepare our children for future opportunities. As a foundation, we see it as our responsibility to partner with such institutions to ensure our children receive the knowledge and skills they need to contribute meaningfully to the development of Western Province.”
This support aligns with OTDF’s broader development agenda, which prioritises capacity-building, education, and the empowerment of young people across the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) regions and Western Province.
The ceremony concluded with the official handover of the vehicle keys by Mr. Pile to Mr. Yima, witnessed by the OTDF Board of Directors and KVC’s staff, marking another milestone in OTDF’s long-standing partnership with educational institutions in the province.
Development partners declare Pukaduka 1 and Mutam Villages Open Defecation Free
A major milestone in sanitation and community health was reached when two villages in Western Province’s South Fly and Delta Fly regions were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) on the 29th and 31st of July 2025.Pukaduka 1 Village in the Suki Fly Gogo region and Mutam Village in the Dudi region of the CMCA Trust area have successfully eliminated open defecation through the combined efforts of communities, development partners, and government agencies.
The declarations were made in partnership with the South Fly Women and Children Association (SFW&CA), Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA), and the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), as part of ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene across Western Province.
The events were celebrated with community members, local leaders, and key stakeholders, including WPHA Manager for Public Health Mr. Gagole Segela and South Fly District Development Authority representative and Chairman of the SF district WaSH Committee Mr. Joel Galuma.
The ODF declarations are part of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program implemented by OTDF as one of the programs Key Result Areas (KRA) in the OTDF Strategic Business Plan which aligns with the Western Provincial and District Health plan. The program aims to eliminate open defecation by encouraging safe sanitation practices, building household toilets, and running intensive hygiene awareness campaigns.
In both villages, achieving ODF status was the result of months of dedication and collaboration. OTDF and South Fly Women and Children Association (SFW&CA) facilitated Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) training, empowering villagers to take ownership of their sanitation needs. A combine population of 2,256 people were reached through the CLTS program. Every household now has a functioning toilet, and handwashing practices have become part of everyday life.
Speaking at Pukaduka 1, OTDF PSSD Manager Mr. Moses Kalup praised the determination of the villagers:
“This milestone shows what can be achieved when communities, local organisations, development partners, and government work together. Achieving ODF is not just about building toilets, it’s about protecting health, restoring dignity, and ensuring a cleaner future for our children and communities.”
WPHA’s Manager for Public Health, Mr. Gagole Sagella, also congratulated the villages, noting the broader public health impact:
“Ending open defecation breaks the cycle of preventable diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. Your hard work will lead to healthier families and stronger communities. Today we are here to celebrate with you a new beginning.
We thank SFW&CA for being instrumental in driving this program and acknowledge OTDF for funding initiatives that change community perceptions. We hope to continue this partnership to deliver better health services across CMCA communities in Western Province.”
Mrs. Saridu Saudi (Women President) unveiling the ODF billboard for Pukaduka1 village
SFW&CA leaders expressed pride in the achievement and gratitude for OTDF’s continued support. Mrs. Saridu Saudi, President of Suki Fly Gogo W&CA, highlighted the significance of partnership in creating lasting change:
“Through this partnership with OTDF, we have been given ownership and a voice in deciding how resources are used for projects that directly benefit our communities. Thank you for bringing positive change to the lives of our people. We are more than grateful to OTDF for giving us a platform to be true development partners.”
With Pukaduka 1 and Mutam now Open Defecation Free, no one in these villages practices open defecation, a shift that improves hygiene, enhances and fosters community health, and protects the environment.
This success stands as an example to other communities across Western Province to embrace sanitation improvements and work towards ODF status.
OTDF remains committed to partnering with SFW&CA, the WPHA, and local government to ensure more villages achieve ODF, contributing to healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.
Kawok Village Celebrates Milestone in Community Housing
Kawok Village in Western Province is making strides in community development, with four new permanent houses built.
In a proud moment for Kawok village, located 40 minutes by dinghy along the Fly River from Kiunga town, four newly constructed three-bedroom homes were officially opened before a crowd of more than 300 villagers from Kawok and neighboring Moian.
The homes, funded entirely through the Kawok Village Development Funds (VDF) and the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), mark a significant milestone in the village’s journey towards sustainable community development. The PGK 700,000 project was delivered under a compensation agreement between the Kawok community and Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML).
Chairman of the Kawok Village Planning Committee (VPC), Mr. Simon Kobowut, said during the handover ceremony that the project is part of a long-term vision for the community, driven by the village’s 5-Year Development Plan.
“Infrastructure development is my key focus, I want my people to sleep under iron roof of a permanent house,” Mr. Kobowut said. “Our plan revolves around three major goals: access to clean water, decent housing, and off-grid electricity for the entire community. We will use this plan as our guide and continue to support one another in building our village.”
Villages witness the handover of a home to its owner
House owners Jackson John, Chris Bonney, Gill Michael, Velamina George thanked OTDF for the support in the project and most importantly the VPC chairman Simon Kobowut for the allocation of the homes to their families.
Ward 18 Councilor, Mr. Bondit Kembayong from nearby Moian village, commended the leadership of Mr. Kobowut for his perseverance in seeing the project through to completion.
“To the families receiving their new homes today – take pride in them,” he said. “Development doesn’t happen overnight. The longevity of any project depends on the care and commitment of the community.”
Trust Administrator Mr. Johanis Saferius reflected on the project’s journey, highlighting the strength built through collaboration.
“Delivering projects in remote communities comes with challenges but this is what gives these developments lasting value. He said OTDF also stepped in to manage variations beyond the original PGK 700,000 budget, ensuring the project’s success.”
Executive Manager of Corporate Services, Mr. Raul De Los Santos, called the new homes a legacy of leadership and a foundation for the future of Kawok village.
The housing project follows the recent success of another major initiative in Kawok — a water catchment facility that now supplies 45,000 liters of clean water daily. Five 9,000-liter tanks, installed by OTDF contractors, use gravity-fed flow to deliver water through 20 taps across the village.
This latest project is the second largest infrastructure investment in Kawok’s history and was once again overseen by the OTDF Infrastructure Development team, led by Project Team Leader Mr. Pascoe Sevese.
The people of Kawok are setting a powerful example of community-led development, transforming vision into reality.
Who We Are
Each executive and board member, team and individual involved with OTDF is an essential part of achieving the goal of allowing the residents of Western Province to have greater choices in mapping out their own direction to live better lives.
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Executive Management
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Board Members
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Our Partners
What We Do
Operating independently of OTML since 2009, we are proud to have 50 full-time staff, 60 part-time staff, and committed volunteers throughout Western Province dedicated to ensuring our objectives and goals are aligned with those of the communities for which we serve.
To date, we have achieved significant outcomes across our investment portfolio and all five pillars of CMCA community development.
Economic Development
From inception as an independent organisation in 2010, OTDF has worked tirelessly with the CMCA communities to establish family and village-based economic and food production options.
Women's & Youth Development
Developing women and youth aspirations following the intensive consultative community engagement in the communities and mine villages.
Infrastructure Development
OTDF continues to focus on infrastructure delivery for communities to gain easier access to regional centres and government services, and to get produce to markets.
Community Health
The OTDF Strategic 5-year plan goal for the Health Sector is the CMCA primary health care service delivery strengthened and in line with the Western Province & National Health Plans.
Community Education
The OTDF Education Sector goals are to improve to quality education services, improve teacher education and training.
Our Communities
Western Province
North Fly District
Middle Fly District
South Fly District
Annual Reports
Our latest Annual Report is a comprehensive report of what OTDF has achieved and defines/outlines our ongoing priorities and goals going forward.
Newsletters
Each month, our OTDF media team creates a PDF newsletter that encapsulates the many activities and achievements by OTDF, partners and communities.
Contact Us
OTDF is committed to cooperation and integration of ideas from our community, therefore, we are always interested in what you have to say.