Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities

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Sports facility upgrades to boost schools in Western Province

Infrastructure Development, North Fly, Training, Women & Youth Development

Hongas Primary School Principal, Mr. Fogy Ika Ade thanking the partners for the support

To promote youth development through sports, four primary schools in Western Province have received new sports equipment and major upgrades to their facilities. This initiative is part of the Community Sports Development Enhancement Program, funded by the Women & Children Associations of Western Province, with support from the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).

The schools—Gretutu Primary School, Kiunga Town Primary School, Hongas Primary School, and Montfort Primary School now have refurbished basketball courts, soccer goal posts and new sports gear. These improvements are aimed at providing better opportunities for students to engage in sports, stay active, and build essential life skills.

At the handover event, Ms. Ruth Ukins, President of the Nima Ara Women and Children Association, urged the school communities to maintain the new facilities. “We hope everyone, including students and the local community, will use these resources respectfully and share them to benefit all,” she said.

Participants flanked by partners in sports

Hongas Primary School Principal, Mr. Fogy Ika Ade, expressed gratitude, highlighting the positive impact of the upgrades. “This donation is a great help,” he stated. “Most schools in Kiunga lack the funds to invest in sports facilities or equipment. This support will have a lasting impact on our students and community.”

Looking ahead, the OTDF Community Sports Development Enhancement Program will expand its efforts through collaboration with the North Fly District Office. Plans are underway to develop and support additional sports programs across the communities, demonstrating a commitment to further fostering youth development and community engagement through sports.

Ms. Charlotte Mathews President for the Middle Fly Women and Children Association said OTDF has been providing essential support to ensure programs and projects reach more communities. She said “Their contribution is helping to create a sustainable model for community development in the region.”

These recent developments are expected to inspire other communities to invest in youth and sports as a means of building stronger, healthier societies.

Ok Tedi Development Foundation and Catholic Health Services Partner

Health, North Fly, Training

Sister Philomena addressing the participants during the certification ceremony at the Peter Torot Training Center

In an effort to improve community health and wellbeing, the Ok Tedi Development Foundation OTDF WaSH Team, in partnership with Catholic Health Services, conducted a four day training session for Village Health Volunteers (VHV). The training was held at the Peter Torot Training Hall from August 26th to 29th, 2024.

This initiative is a refresher training designed for VHVs working within the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) communities. The training aims to equip volunteers with vital information and skills to support pregnant women, ensure effective antenatal care, child nutrition and care as well as prevention of malnutrition. By doing so, the program aims to ensure safe and healthy childbirths and improve overall children health outcomes in these communities.

With a focus on Health and Hygiene for the community the training covered several critical areas, including health and hygiene for babies and growing children, effective antenatal care practices, and the identification of malnutrition and prevention. By reinforcing these key aspects, the program intends to empower VHVs with the necessary knowledge and tools to better support expectant mothers and growing children in their communities.

“This refresher training is essential for our VHVs, who play a crucial role in our community health systems,” said Rody Ukins, North Fly District Hospital Health Manager. “By equipping them with up to date knowledge and practical skills, we aim to enhance their capacity to provide quality care and support, especially to the most vulnerable members of our community.”

The refresher training serves as a pilot initiative to explore how the WaSH program can better use the existing VHV health system to improve overall health outcomes in the CMCA communities. By utilising the skills and presence of VHVs, OTDF WaSH Program hope to create a more integrated and efficient community WaSH framework that addresses not only child health but also broader public health challenges.

“We are excited to collaborate with OTDF on this important initiative,” said Sr. Philomena , Catholic Health Services. “Our goal is to build a healthier community by ensuring that our VHVs are well-prepared to handle various health challenges and provide effective care at the community level.”

OTDF and Catholic Health Services will assess its effectiveness in order to improve and expand the program in the future. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen community health systems, ensuring that local health volunteers are well-equipped to meet the needs of their communities.

“Through this partnership we can help address some of the issues of Health, family planning and nutrition in communities,” Moses Kalup, Manager PSSD- OTDF. “OTDF is here to add value and support the system in terms of bridging good health to the communities.”

The four-day training session concluded on August 29th, with plans for further collaboration between OTDF, Catholic Health Services, to continue improving health outcomes in Western Province. This initiative is a step toward building a sustainable health care system in these communities, driven by local volunteers and supported by expert partnerships.

Financial independence for CMCA Women: A Step towards a brighter future

Economic Development, Middle Fly, Women & Youth Development

Moreen Ison (Binge Village) purchasing store goods from New Century City Limited for resale at her Trade Store accompanied by other recipients .

Twenty-five women from the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) Trust region recently completed a week-long financial literacy training program at the Peter Torot Center in Kiunga. This initiative, organised by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), is aimed to equip these women with crucial financial management skills.

Throughout the training, participants gained insights into the significance of saving, budgeting, and maintaining financial discipline. This knowledge is critical for managing their finances effectively, supporting their families, and enhancing their living standards. At the end of the training, these twenty-five women were awarded certificates of participation, marking their achievement.

One notable outcome of the training was Barbra Uako from Mipan Village in the Middle Fly CMCA Trust Region, who became the first participant to secure a loan from MiBank. She used the funds to purchase stationery for resale, marking a significant milestone in her journey towards financial independence.

Following this success, eight additional women from the training group obtained loans to invest in their local businesses. Among them is Denise Koma Albert from Timindemesuk, who invested in fuel for her outlet and stock feed for her poultry business. Her entrepreneurial spirit demonstrates the positive impact of the financial literacy training.

According to the OTDF Business Development team, this training initiative is crucial for raising sustainable businesses and promoting financial independence among these women. It also raises a culture of savings and entrepreneurship within their communities. With ongoing support and education, these women are self-assured to become role models, inspiring others to take control of their financial futures.

The success of this program highlights the vital role of financial literacy in empowering individuals and driving economic growth in the CMCA communities. As these women build their financial wisdom, they are contributing to a more prosperous and self-reliant future for Western Province.