CLC handover ceremony attended by Damera community and nearby delta villages
On 4 November 2024, the Damera Village Community Learning Center (CLC) was officially handed over by Ok Tedi Development Foundation in South Fly, Western Province. This major infrastructure project will serve over 700 villagers in Damera and 25,000 people across the surrounding Manawete Trust Region.
The CLC is an outcome of the Manawete Women & Children’s Association’s Action Plan (2019-2024), with support from Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) through Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).
The CLC will be used to provide essential educational and life skills programs to empower local villagers. The facility is strategically located on school grounds, a neutral space within the village, to ensure accessibility for all community members.
Ms. Philma Bulima, President of the Manawete Women & Children’s Association, thanked OTML and OTDF for their commitment to overcoming logistical challenges to deliver this project in the lower Manawete Trust region. She also acknowledged the contribution of local men, who decided to allocate 12 percent of compensation payments to women, children, and youth.
“This building is like our child, we must care for it as it will nurture us with the skills we need to use to progress,” said Ms. Bulima.
The project is a legacy of the Community Mine Continuation Agreements (CMCA), which allowed compensation funds to be shared with women and children in the region. Havini Vira, CEO of OTDF, emphasised that the CLC is a direct result of this decision, helping to drive development across the Manawete Trust Region.
The CLC opening marks a significant milestone for the community, fostering collaboration and creating lasting impact through education and shared growth.