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

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The Manawete Women and Children’s Association has successfully expanded its community based sewing training program across Damera, Kenedibi, and Urio villages.

South Fly, Training, Women & Youth Development

Damera Village participants

The training forms part of a longer‑term capacity‑building process that began in 2024, when Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) worked with Kiunga Vocational Center (KVC) to train community Trainers of Trainers (TOTs). These community TOTs were equipped with sewing and facilitation skills by KVC instructors, enabling them to deliver practical, hands‑on training directly within their own villages.

Building on this foundation, the November 2025 sewing trainings were arranged by OTDF and delivered by the trained community TOTs, in collaboration with the Manawete Women and Children’s Association. Conducted between 4–14 November 2025, the program aimed to strengthen Women Social Issues Concern Group (WSICG) members, support sustainable livelihood activities, and encourage the local production of school uniforms and other essential garments.

Participation across all three villages was strong, demonstrating growing interest in skills‑based economic opportunities. In Damera Village, 27 women completed the full training program, while more than 50 additional women attended as observers. In Kenedibi Village, 24 women—comprising 15 adults and 9 youth—completed the program, with over 50 women observing the sessions. Similarly, in Urio Village, 24 women actively participated in the training, supported by both adult and youth trainees, alongside more than 50 consistent observers.

Urio village training highlight

Although the trainings were originally planned as week‑long activities, all three communities completed the program within an accelerated three‑day period. This reflected the strong commitment, cooperation, and motivation of participants, as well as the effectiveness of the community‑led training approach. Throughout the sessions, trainees gained practical experience in fabric cutting, machine sewing, and garment finishing, and successfully produced WSICG uniform blouses as part of their hands‑on learning.

As participants’ skills improved, early signs of economic activity began to emerge, with women exploring opportunities for home‑based sewing services, uniform production, and small‑scale microbusiness initiatives. These developments highlight the potential for sewing skills to contribute to household income and longer‑term community resilience.

Despite the positive outcomes, several challenges were identified across all three villages, including limited access to sewing machines and materials, varying skill levels among participants, and the need for more time to practise and reinforce newly acquired skills. These lessons underscore the importance of sustained support, adequate resources, and continued mentorship to ensure skills are retained and translated into sustainable livelihoods.

In response, the Manawete Women and Children’s Association recommends increasing access to sewing machines, expanding training to include a wider range of garment types, and providing structured follow‑up support focused on small business development. Strengthening collaboration among WSICG groups in neighbouring communities is also seen as a key strategy for sustaining momentum and shared learning.

Through this community‑driven and skills‑focused approach, the Manawete Women and Children’s Association reaffirms its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and strengthening economic resilience across Western Province by scaling up locally led initiatives that respond directly to community needs.

OTDF Renews Three-Year Vehicle Lease with Local Company

Economic Development, North Fly

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) has renewed its three-year vehicle lease agreement with GRE Village Business Group a local company from Tutuwe region, for the continued use of an Isuzu Dyna vehicle.

The lease agreement was formally signed on 31 December at the OTDF Conference Room in Kiunga, marking the continuation of a long-standing working relationship between the two organisations.

The new agreement follows the successful completion and expiry of the previous lease arrangement in November 2025 and reflects OTDF’s ongoing commitment to ensuring uninterrupted logistical support for its operations while strengthening partnerships with locally owned businesses from mine-impacted communities.

Under the agreement, the Isuzu Dyna will be used to support a range of OTDF’s logistical and operational requirements. These include the transportation of equipment, and materials necessary for program delivery, community engagement activities, and other operational functions across OTDF’s areas of responsibility.

The lease arrangement is critical to maintaining operational efficiency, particularly in supporting field-based activities along the Kiunga Tabubil Highway and villages in and around Kiunga.

“The conclusion of the previous lease in November 2025 required a timely replacement to ensure continuity of transport support,” said OTDF Acting CEO Mr. Andrew Mari. “This new three-year agreement enables OTDF to sustainably meet its logistics requirements while reinforcing its commitment to engaging local landowner companies as trusted service providers”. Engaging such local companies aligns with OTDF’s broader mandate to promote local business participation, create economic opportunities for local communities and landowner groups, and ensure benefits flow back to mine-impacted communities.

The lease agreement includes clearly defined terms and conditions covering vehicle use, maintenance responsibilities, and operational requirements. The vehicle will be operated strictly in accordance with OTDF’s internal policies, safety standards, and compliance requirements to ensure reliability and safe usage throughout the lease period.

GRE Village Business Group welcomed the agreement, stating that the lease provides a stable and ongoing commercial opportunity for the company as a community-owned business, while strengthening its partnership with OTDF.

The lease will run for a period of three years, providing certainty for both parties and supporting long-term planning and operational continuity.

OTDF continues to engage CMCA local companies through a range of service arrangements, including transport, logistics, and other operational support services. These engagements form part of the Foundation’s broader strategy to support effective program delivery while promoting sustainable local business development and participation in the mine-affected regions.

OTDF Reinforces Support to Education with K100,000.00 For Okma Junior High

Education, North Fly

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) has further strengthened its commitment to education development in the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) communities with a K100,000.00 financial contribution towards the building of the Okma Junior High School in the Nupmo Region in Western Province.

A dummy cheque was officially presented on the 31^stof December at the OTDF Conference Room by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of OTDF, Mr. Andrew Mari, to representatives of the Okma Junior High School Board. The funding is specifically allocated toward the building and refurbishment of school infrastructure, with the aim of improving learning conditions for students.

Okma Junior High School is in the Nupmo Region within the mine footprint areas of Western Province, an area where access to quality educational facilities remains a key development priority. The investment will support the construction and upgrading of classrooms and other essential facilities, ensuring a safer, more conducive learning environment for both students and teachers.

Mr. Mark Yauram, Okma Junior High School Vice Chairman, thank OTDF for its support towards this social obligation towards the betterment of Okma. During the presentation he said, “On behalf of the people of Okma, I would like to thank OTDF for supporting this social obligation. This investment, a first of its kind, that will work towards something greater for the generations to come.”

Mr. Veao Nami, Acting Program Services Manager, expressed his appreciation to the board for taking up the initiative to address a community need. “What you took up the initiative to do will open doors for the next generation and the next.”

The School Board Chairman during the presentation spoke that you will never go wrong when investing in education.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr. Nali emphasised that the support reflects OTDF’s long-term vision and strategic objectives.

“This support is important because it aligns directly with the goals of the organisation. Education is the pillar of our future, and by investing in school infrastructure, we are investing in the next generation of leaders from our CMCA communities,” Mr. Nali said.

Mr. Mari echoed these sentiments, highlighting that education remains a core pillar of OTDF’s development mandate. He noted that improved infrastructure not only enhances learning outcomes but also encourages school attendance and supports teachers in delivering quality education.

The Okma Junior High School Board welcomed the assistance and expressed sincere appreciation to OTDF for the timelydonation. Board members acknowledged that the funding would greatly assist the school in addressing long-standing infrastructure needs and improving overall education standards for students in the Nupmo Region.

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation continues to work closely with community stakeholders, school boards, and local leaders across Western Province to deliver meaningful and sustainable development outcomes. Through targeted investments in education, health, and community development, OTDF remains committed to empowering CMCA communities and supporting long-term social and economic progress.