Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
Latest News
One of 17 pioneer OTDF staff bids farewell
Miape Baupupu, Igea Yassa Manager PSO, and Philemon Nahuet Regional Development Team Leader present a gift as appreciation from OTDF
Like any good story, there must be an ending. For one Morobe man who called Western Province home for the last 34 years, this finally happened on 13th December when he humbly bid goodbye. Miape Baupupu arrived in the Western Province a young energetic man and took up post with the Western Province Government as an Agriculture Officer.
He joined OTML Regional Development in 2006 and continued his community development work based in Tabubil maintaining OTDF relations with the mine village communities.
He spent the rest of his working life with OTDF up to his retirement. He recalls his life in Western as extraordinary and wonderful. “I have spent a good number of years here in Western Province,34 to be precise, I have done my bit in community development work, I have enjoyed every bit of it. My time has come to depart, as it is now time for the new ones to carry on the good work started.
There are challenges along the way, but be prepared to meet and handle them as they make you a better development officer and person”, he said. Chief Executive Officer Mr. Havini Vira thanked Miape for his long service to Ok Tedi recalling the days when he worked alongside Miape in the fisheries program.
“You have done Ok Tedi and the people of Western Province proud through your services, we wish you well in your path ahead”.
Youths receive grassroots coaching and referees courses
Basketball referee training session at Madiri Primary School, South Fly – Picture credit: Peta Sports Management
Effective youth development programs to engage meaningfully with youths is the focus for 2021 going forward.
Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Community Development (CD) Sector commenced its youth development sports program in May this year in the North Fly District.
After that, the program proceeded to the Middle Fly, which was held at Kaviananga village with 24 participants for basketball, 20 for volleyball, and 20 for rugby league.
A representative from Aiambak, Middle Fly Ms. Karen Elizah said she had learned a lot from the referee and coaching training. “I learned a lot but the highlight was the legal methods of tackling a player on the field. I will return to Aiambak and pass on this skill to interested rugby players” she said.
“In South Fly, we had many females for the other two codes except for rugby. Generally, we had a good composition of participants per region with many participating.”
For Manawete and Kiwaba regions, the training took place at Gaia Primary School in Kawiapo village where 16 did basketball training, 18 for volleyball, and 21 for rugby league.
Dudi and Suki Fly Gogo participants had their training at Madiri Primary School with 24 participating in basketball, 20 for volleyball, and 20 for rugby league.
The program delivered three modules; Phase 1: Grassroots Coaching and Referee Course, Phase 2: Facilities Development & Sports Administration Course, and Phase 3: Talent identification and development.
PETA Sports Management Limited was engaged to deliver phase 1 of this program which started in May 2021. The Program had a good response with 223 (40 from North Fly and 183 from Middle Fly & South Fly) youths participating. According to PETA Manager, Percy Mataio, the program is aimed at fostering a strong, happy and healthy community through sports.
“Knowledge and skills you’ve gained during the training are for you to go and impart in your communities because we want to see peaceful communities. Through sports, you can provide unity for all,’’ said facilitator Mataio.
Tommy Polang OTDF CD Coordinator said the Phase 1 Program addresses development goals in the CMCA Youth Development Plan 2019 – 2021. The common sports identified in this plan include rugby league, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
Polang said the highlight was the three female participants who showed up for the Rugby League basic coaching in Middle Fly. He encouraged more women to stand up and take the challenge.
WestAgro Updates
Wait Tri & Middle Fly Trustees visit the WestAgro Fly Vanilla project site # 2 at Samagos, North Fly District, Western Province
Vanilla Grow out Tunnel Construction Begins
Site Construction Manager, Shauli Elimelech is now a resident at Samagos and has completed the excavation of all foundations for the six grow-out tunnels to be constructed at site 2.
Additionally, tunnel framework fabrication has also begun with all structures expected to be erected next month.
The WestAgro Holdings and Fly Vanilla Boards have approved six new shareholders, all documentation for the transfer of shares has been completed, and ‘Share Certificates’ have since been authorised by the WAH Chair for release to the respective entities.
Registration with the IPA is in progress and a handover ceremony will coincide with the November CMCA Development Trust meetings. Further financial support for Fly Vanilla, especially from the Middle and South Fly Trusts is expected at these meetings.
Following on from the exciting news reported in August that vanilla vines at Samagos and Tepabit (km17) trial site had produced their first flowers, more flowers have since emerged. Many of these have been successfully pollinated with vines now growing the first vanilla beans for the project.
The layout for site 1 has also been completed, incorporating a 100 vine demonstration plot marked out for the planting of shade trees, this plot will replicate a smallholder farmer plot. The site will also include a vanilla bean buying and farmer technical training facility.
Rice Project Plot Preparation Underway
On-site groundworks have started at Kaviananga, Village, Middle Fly. Project Manager Barak Bernstein has made multiple site visits, while OTDF technical support staff member, Veao Nami is now permanently onsite coordinating the start-up works with the community. The first 12 families from the Kaviananga community have been engaged to clear the water channel to the site, peg out initial trial crop planting sites, and dig site boundary drainage channels for both upland and lowland (padi) rice, including two varying transects and germination plots.
There has been some delay with the delivery of the capital equipment and fertilizer, these items are now expected into Obo by late November.
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.