Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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CMCA & Mine Villages Women Associations Endorse K5.3 Million for OTML Donga Project
CMCA and Mine Village Women & Childrens’ Association presidents present investment payment to OTML
The eight Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) and Mine villages Women & Children Associations have committed a K5.3 million investment in the 150-men donga project to accommodate employees at the Ok Tedi Mining Limited’s (OTML) Bige operations.
This commitment was signified by a presentation of a dummy cheque to OTML’s Economic Program Manager, Mr Steve Hoap at the Cassowary Hotel in Kiunga, Western Province on August 16, 2023.
This event was attended by representatives of OTML, Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) and presidents of the nine associations.
Speaking on behalf of the presidents, Mrs Saridu Saudi of the Suki-Fly Gogo Women and Childrens’ Association, thanked OTML for giving the women and children associations the opportunity to invest in the Ok Tedi project. She also applauded OTDF for all its administrative and development support for the women and children programs in the regions impacted by the mine and the province as a whole.
She said: “I am really blessed this morning. I stand with a joyful heart speaking as we present this funding to OTML. This is a major investment for us and as we seek partners to collaborate with us, I want to thank the OTML management for this opportunity. Thank you.”
Saridu Saudi addressing the CMCA Women & Childrens’ Association Presidents forum, Cassowary Hotel Kiunga, Western Province
“We are thrilled to witness the collective effort of the CMCA Women Associations as they commit K5.3 million to the 150 Room Donga Project,” said Mr Havini Vira, CEO of OTDF.
“This commitment reflects the women’s dedication to partner in growth, progress, and improved livelihoods for all,” Mr Vira said. He said this investment, with guaranteed returns, will generate profits that will support the women’s development activities beyond mine closure.
The presentation event coincided with a scheduled meeting of the Women Presidents, which served as a powerful reminder of the potential that can be unlocked when communities work together towards a common goal.
Receiving the investment on behalf of OTML was Mr Steve Hoap, Manager Economic Programs. He expressed gratitude for the CMCA Women Associations resolve to support initiatives that will generate significant returns for the women and their communities. Mr. Hoap also thanked OTDF for guiding the women leaders and their associations in investing wisely over the years.
UNITECH and OTDF strengthen partnership
The Unitech officials and OTDF Executives showing the signed MOU document
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) and University of Technology Lae (UNITECH), initially signed in 2020, was reviewed and extended for another 3 years (2022 -2025). Signed on Wednesday 19 July, this MOU establishes the terms and conditions under which UNITECH and OTDF will jointly undertake
PNG UNITECH/DODL ratifies all the admissions made by OTDF (subject to fulfilling the eligibility conditions prescribed by DODL) and enrols the students.
The annual enrolment for Adult Matriculation program is 1000 students while FODE is 300 students.
These figures are for both Up Graders and Full Correspondence Students. Total number of students who graduated from the Adult Matriculation program from 2019 to 2023 is 1,117 while FODE is 480. On average, 20 students every year get the second opportunity to attend universities and colleges through our FODE/AM program.
Semester two registration for FODE and Adult Matriculation students, Samagos Learning Center
OTDF’s Star Mountain Community Learning Centre (SMCL) is affiliated with Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE), Department of Education while the Adult Matriculation program is offered under a franchise agreement with Department of Open Distance Learning (DODL), PNG University of Technology. the distance and flexible education program in Western Province. Under the MOU, OTDF advertises the programs at its own cost and admit the students with eligibility under the criteria set by DODL-UNITECH. OTDF also provides all the pre-admission and post-admission services to the students based on specific requirements of each program in consultation with DODL.
Iogi village gets safer drinking water
Village Planning Committee Chairman for Iogi village, Mr James Ukin (middle) receives the project from OTDF CEO Mr. Vira (L)
Ensuring the availability of safe drinking water is crucial for a sustainable future. The strain on water reservoirs is growing, fueled by both short and long-term climate variations, as well as the escalating demands of increasing population. Western Province, despise having so many rivers, struggles with safe drinking water but thanks to OTDF, prayers have been answered.
“We have struggled to access clean water and this project is a need for the community. We travel long distances to collect water, now it is at our doorstep” — Anna Koworto, Women Leader, Wai-Tri Trust —
A mother fetches water from the gravity fed tap installed a meter from a house
Iogi village on Friday 7 July received two rainwater catchment project to provide clean water for drinking, washing and cooking to more than 300 people.
Village Planning Committee Chairman for Iogi village, Mr James Ukin, received the project on behalf of the of Iogi community. He said: “Clean water is important for us to live healthy in the community so thank you for the service.”
OTDF CEO Havini Vira said partnership is the key to development at all levels.
“Partnership is important to serve the people. OTDF cannot do it alone, we need the support from the government, churches, youths and the community to work together to bring change.”
OTDF CEO and a young member of the Iogo community try a tap connected to the water catchment
Worth over K400,000, the project was built with funding from their Village Development Funds (VDFs) under the Wai Tri Trust arrangement from the Ok Tedi Mine compensation benefits.
Delivered by the OTDF Infrastructure team, the project consists of eight 5,000 litres tanks installed in two separate locations in the village with pipes connected throughout the village community and households accessing water via gravity fed taps.
The rainwater catchment project took two months to install and complete.
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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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.
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Western Province
North Fly District
Middle Fly District
South Fly District
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Our latest Annual Report is a comprehensive report of what OTDF has achieved and defines/outlines our ongoing priorities and goals going forward.
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Each month, our OTDF media team creates a PDF newsletter that encapsulates the many activities and achievements by OTDF, partners and communities.
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OTDF is committed to cooperation and integration of ideas from our community, therefore, we are always interested in what you have to say.