Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
Latest News
Ok Tedi Development Foundation delivers Community Learning Center
Improving lives of the people of Western Province is a priority of Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) through its subsidiary Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).
Moian village in the Middle Fly CMCA Trust region received its Community Learning Centre (CLC) on Friday 14 July. It was funded by the 10 percent Women and Children funds from the OTML compensation package.
Middle Fly Women and Children Association President, Ms. Charlotte Mathews received the key to the CLC on behalf of the Upper Middle Fly villages.
President Mathews (middle) celebrates with development partners
President Ms Mathews thanked the development partners and stakeholders for continued support. “I urge the women and youths of Moian to take ownership and care of this CLC infrastructure, this is your university; I encourage you all to get involved in using the building to continue your education, learn life skills and conduct meetings. She said life skills training and capacity building programs will be facilitated for the communities in Upper Middle Fly. “We do this work because we have the heart for our people. Our faith outweighs the struggles and our perseverance pushes us to accomplishing our plans outlined in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan (2019-2023),” said Mathews.
According to the OTDF Executive Manager Program Services, Eric Kuman, the CLC is a unique concept to bring life skills training to the community, giving equal opportunity and shared responsibility for the mission of educating all members of the community. He said: “Open the doors to partners, NGO’s, donors and government to use the CLC for development work. It is not an OTDF building; it is community property and most importantly, take care of it.”
OTDF takes lead in addressing Menstrual Hygiene issues: Empowering Women and Girls
Menstruation, a natural process experienced by women, has long been shrouded in silence due to cultural taboos. However, the importance of menstrual hygiene in managing menstruation safely and with dignity cannot be understated.
Many developing countries, are addressing this critical aspect of women’s health with backing from public and private sector water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, as well as local initiatives focusing on reproductive health and education.
Consequently, women and girls continue to face tremendous challenges regarding menstrual hygiene, hindering their access to WASH facilities, healthcare, education, dignity, and gender equity.
Recognising the urgency of this issue, the OK Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), through its Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) program, has launched an awareness campaign in the South Fly region of Western Province, using the menstrual hygiene management (MHM) concept to teach students and communities.
Students from Gigwa Primary School and 25 individuals from Pukaduka 1 village who attended the MHM training
Mrs. Margaret Naipu Secretary to the Suki Fly Gogo Women and Children’s Association in an interview said: ”I want the MHM program to extend to the Fly Gogo communities as well as other Suki communities.”
President Mrs Saridu Saudi was vocal on the cultural beliefs and taboos relating to such topics of women health issues: “Let’s help our young female members of the community, one day this information will help save their lives when safe practices are administered at an early age and at the teenage level, I have witnessed many young mothers have complication during pregnancy and this starts with such trainings. Due to the taboo to not talk about such issues, women suffer the consequences especially when pregnant and during delivery.”
The objective of this initiative is to bridge the information gap surrounding MHM and integrate it into the WaSH development programs. By doing so, OTDF WaSH aims to empower community members with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate MHM effectively into their daily lives.
“MHM awareness and training must be introduced to the communities and schools in order to change the negative perception, taboos and stigma to improve the health and hygiene of women and girls. We believe that by addressing the challenges related to menstrual hygiene, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls,” said Mr. Andrew Mari, Manager Program Services Sustainable Development (PSSD) of OK Tedi Development Foundation. “Our awareness campaign in the South Fly region is just the beginning. We are committed to driving positive change, breaking down taboos, and ensuring that women and girls have the resources and support they need to manage menstruation with dignity.”
The OTDF WaSH program’s efforts to address menstrual hygiene challenges align with the broader goals of promoting gender equity, health, education, and the right to WASH services for all. By raising awareness and providing the necessary tools and knowledge, the program aims to empower women and girls, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
Total of 103 students from Gigwa Primary School and 25 individuals from Pukaduka 1 village attended the MHM training. 60 queen reusable pads were distributed to grade 4 to grade 8 students and MHM pamphlets. The training was delivered by Niugini Good Samaritan Foundation Inc. in partnership with OTDF.
P&O Maritime Logistics welcomes two new cadets for sea time training
L-R: Leo Gideon P&O Health and Safety Superintendent, Andrew Mari OTDF PSSD Manager, Jacklyn Jeremiah Deck Cadet, Sailas Waimona Deck Cadet, Peter Tani P&O ML Kiunga Operations Manager, Shemila Kasi OTDF Education Staff.
Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) is proud to announce the addition of two new cadets to the Maritime Cadet Program to undergo sea time training, strengthening the commitment to safety, education, and skill development in partnership with the P&O Maritime Logistics (P&O ML).
The cadets, Ms. Jacklyn Jeremiah and Mr. Sailas Waimona, will embark on a journey of 24 months of sea time training aboard P&O vessels, as part of the prestigious OTDF Maritime Scholarship Program.
The Program commenced in 2013 in collaboration with Ok Tedi Mining Limited and P&O Services (PNG) Ltd. It aims to build human capacity in Western Province while fostering career growth in the maritime industry.
Both Ms. Jeremiah and Mr. Waimona are part of the 2022 batch of applicants selected for this unique learning experience. Their induction into the program took place on August 21, 2023, at the P&O Maritime Kiunga office, in the presence of Superintendent Leo Gideon, the Health and Safety (HS) inducting officer, and Program Services Sustainable staff from OTDF.
During the induction, Superintendent Gideon highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to safety across its global operations. He emphasized the significance of the General Safety Induction as a fundamental step into P&O ML operations. Superintendent Gideon also took time to familiarise the cadets with the P&O ML Code of Business Conduct (COBC), which outlines the standards, procedures, and rules governing daily operations. This comprehensive induction serves as a practical guide for maintaining professional relationships with business partners, customers, employees, and communities. Understanding the COBC is integral to P&O ML’s employee induction process, promoting personal integrity and environmental responsibility.
A P&O ML vessel navigating the Fly River
According to Mr. Andrew Mari, Program Services Sustainable Manager, the Maritime Cadet Program is open to eligible individuals from Western Province. He expressed that this program presents a remarkable chance for participants to cultivate their maritime careers, enhance interpersonal skills, establish valuable networks, and achieve career goals. Mr. Mari encouraged the cadets to become ambassadors for their districts, families, and OTDF, with the aspiration of one day captaining a vessel navigating the Fly River.
P&O ML is excited to welcome Ms. Jacklyn Jeremiah and Mr. Sailas Waimona as cadets from this year’s batch. Their dedication, alongside the support of OTDF, reinforces P&O ML’s commitment to fostering excellence in maritime education and shaping the future leaders of the industry.
OTDF’s Maritime Scholarship Program is delivered in partnership with Ok Tedi Mining Limited and P&O Services (PNG) Ltd.
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.
View
Executive Management
View
Board Members
View
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.