Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Middle Fly Women receive association dinghy & motor
L-R Charlotte Mathews association president, Lyne Bap association vice president, Ms Bala Tedumo OTDF officer and Executive Manager Corporate Services at the handover of the dinghy and accessories.
The Middle Fly region of the Western Province is characterised with large bodies of water hence transportation is a challenge experienced by government and other development partners in service delivery.
One such development group is the Middle Fly Women and Children’s Association of the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA). The association serves 18 villages scattered along the lakes of the Middle Fly and along the Fly River corridor.
The executives on 15th March received their long-awaited administration dingy and 75 horse-powered outboard motor delivered through Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).
Association president Mrs. Charlotte Mathews in her welcome remarks noted the delay in the delivery which impacted their movement when conducting their work down river however expressed gratitude on behalf of the association members to the Trust Administration team and OTDF for delivering the association’s transport asset. She said: “Apart from OTDF support, I give credit to my women executives, who tirelessly support the association and its work in our community. We know it is voluntary work, however the good work and leadership role you play has not gone unnoticed, and you will be rewarded.”
OTDF Corporate Services Executive Manager Mr. Raul De los Santos in his response congratulated the Middle Fly women for their role in taking lead in development within their Middle Fly communities. He said: “Good stewardship is important, especially the women who take care of the family and children, more importantly applying the same principle to the care of the assets delivered today”.
The handover Ceremony was witnessed by the executives of the association and OTDF staff at the OTDF Yard in Kiunga.
Program Services on track in 2022
Sapuka rice milling training for local farmers
Education continues to progress at year end for Program Services Sustainable Department (PSSD).
The Community Education Service (CES) section saw a steady increase in results for this year (2022).
Executive Manager Program Services, Mr Eric Kuman, in his presentation at the OTDF Board meeting provided updates from data collated.
Director Kuam Sanewai remarked that the presentation was evidence that OTDF achieved and exceeded its 2022 planned target indicators.
Mr Kuman presented that the rate of students completing studies in both FODE and Adult Matriculation (AM) stands at 765 per year.
He said since 2019, FODE/AM has seen 2003 students sitting exams and completing.
In the CMCA scholarships, 119 students will have completed tertiary studies this year and graduated in different disciplines.
The highlights continue with the Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) team progressing with 17 homes in construction at selected villagers in the North Fly and 19 Community Learning Centres’ built across the three districts of Western Province.
OTDF GDS (Agriculture) trainee explains the process of pollinating vanilla to produce beans
The Livelihood Development program team have been providing consistent support for vanilla farming, with 67 growers registered during the extension exercise with over 4.1 Hectares so far surveyed in North Fly. Interest is growing.
Although faced with challenges in Middle Fly, rubber stumps distribution is complete and rubber tapping training provided to 54 Suki Fly Gogo growers, in South Fly.
Regional Development team progressed the Food Security Program (FSP) in the South Fly, with over 50 farmers involved. Rice milling machines were distributed to four sites and training given to the rice farmers at Kawiapo and Sapuka villages.
Youths prepare site 2 to plant rice at Sapuka village, Suki, South Fly
Over 80 house hold clusters are engaged and manually tilling 6.1 hectares of land. So far the farmers have harvested over 1.3 tons of rice from every half hectare. The mentioned villages have on site Community Seed Bank Centre facilities which house the rice mills built at a total of K101, 000.00 and within the six months of construction provided employment benefits for casual workers paying K60, 000 as wages.
As added value to the FSP program, 250 kilograms of cassava cuttings were sourced from NARI in Lae and planted on over half a hectare of arable land, with the cassava plants growing well.
In the Social Development sector, the program upskilled 498 participants this year completing Life Skills training in sewing (150), music (131 youths), baking and food processing (166) refereeing and coaching (51 youths) to 32 leaders & association executives receiving Community Development, Financial Literacy and Leadership Training.
Financial Literacy training facilitated by Bank South Pacific (BSP) in Tabubil
In Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WaSH), 880 households were surveyed and community awareness and mobilising programs conducted successfully for communities in Suki Fly Gogo starting at Pukaduka 1 village, schools and health facilities. The building of 20 Ventilated Improved (VIP) latrines and installation of a RUSS pump signalled the start of the roll out program throughout the CMCA starting in the South Fly.
Tutuwe women and children donate fuel to Kiunga Police
Mrs Serah Meroke (R) presents the fuel docket to Inspector Anjap Minata (L), witnessed by OTDF Program Services Executive Eric Kuman (middle), association executives and police personnel
Kiunga Police received 877 litres of fuel costing K5, 000 from the Tutuwe Ara Women and Children’s Association on Thursday 28 December 2022.
The Tutuwe Ara is one of nine women and children associations under the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) arrangement between Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) and the mine impact communities.
Association Vice President, Mrs Serah Meroke made the presentation on behalf of the 29 Tutuwe Trust villages along the Kiunga to Tabubil Highway.
She said: “We did our association patrols and received reports of general law and order issues in our 29 villages. We can only do our part by supporting the police with fuel to control the issues in our communities as they are the authorised personnel by law to uphold peace and good order. We want to celebrate Christmas and New Year peacefully”.
Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Kiunga Police Station Commander, Inspector Anjap Minata said the donation comes when his officers have rolled out special operations to monitor peace and order during this festive season. He said: “For as long as I can remember, this support is a first. I have spent about 14 years in Kiunga and receiving this support tells me that, the private sector have seen the need of the police.” He is hopeful, more support of such follows from the local business community.
OTDF Executive Manager Program Services Mr Eric Kuman on behalf of the association explained the existence of the association and the work it conducted in the communities.
“The women have a Five Year Strategic Plan with focus on development objectives, included is support to the law and justice sector. This donation is as much a part of the plan they are working towards achieving. The struggle is real, police presence is needed in all districts, Western Province is a huge area and with manpower and logistical issues it’s a nightmare. We can only imagine the challenges the police face.”
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.
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.