Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Failure Not an Option – OTDF FODE Program
IT is always heartbreaking to see a student struggle in school and does not get good grades to allow him to continue to college.
Western Province students are no exception, as they are faced with challenging situations, be it financial, peer pressure, family obligations or just simply that the school is too far from home.
As a result, a good number of students are leaving school at grades 10 and 12. This was the case for now 26 year old AJ Anton from Kungim Village.
He completed Grade 12 in 2012 in Port Moresby but did not meet the grade requirement for college due to peer pressure.
In 2013, AJ applied and was supported by the Wai Tri Trust to upgrade his marks through FODE & Adult Matriculation program.
He studied hard in order to fulfil his desire to get into college, find work and support his future. “Adult Matriculation has made me achieve a lot in my life. It has made me progress onto Technical College which has made me who I am today,” he said. Now, he is currently employed as a Lab Technician with Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) after joining in 2017.
AJ said failure or failing exams is not a vocabulary appropriate for school dropouts.
The adult matriculation program allows the student to study the materials at home and on their own time and pace.
Getting a pass mark will all depend on the student and how much time they invest to understand the course materials. It did open doors for him and his peers, and can do the same for others also.
In 2017, the OTDF Community Education Services (CES) Team have developed FODE Policies and Guidelines, to expand operations, provide effective coordination and transparent as well as accountable service delivery.
These are based on maximizing the benefit to the Western Province communities, focusing on quality, community support and improved academic results. At present OTDF has established 10 Satellite Study Centres (SSC) with its own coordinators offering FODE and Adult Matriculation programs. The SSC’s are North Fly (Tabubil, Nigerum & Kiunga), Middle Fly (Bosset, Aiambak, & Kaviananga), and South Fly (Nakaku, Tapila, Kawiapo, & Daru).
OTDF Supports CMCA Women in SME
THE CMCA women from Suki Fly Gogo, Middle Fly and North Fly had the honour of meeting Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) advocate, Ms Penny Burns from Australia. She is a long-time resident of PNG being here over 13 years, working with various companies including Asian Development Bank, Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) and Monier Limited. She has qualifications in commerce and trade and has successfully advocated for PNG artisans and crafts from various regions of PNG on the global market.
She is currently the Executive Manager of PennyWise Consultants with over 100 SME developed in PNG as well as in Australia. Her recent visit to the Middle Fly region to witness a mini craft show in August – put into perspective the challenges our CMCA artisans are facing to market their crafts.
She did an informal data collection exercise during this craft show which showcased handcrafted bags, hats and other usual personal and household items. A visit to nearby villages further proved that artisans from CMCA have a lot to offer but require guidance to prepare the crafts for the challenging national and international markets.“Internal exposure will only occur when national marketing of the crafts and their artisans are promoted regularly.”
Information as shared by Penny will act as the initial basis for OTDF M&E staff to develop a formal approach to collect data to analysis and provide a recommendation for programs and activities if not policies to promote rural artisans in the CMCA especially for both female and male entrepreneurs.
Ms. Bala Tedumo a women leader and OTDF Officer responsible for North Fly Women’s programs said Ms Burns visit was timely as CMCA had creative artisans but needed support in marketing skills and knowledge. “We will workshop to the association members the requirements and also show what crafts can be sold on the international market hence (be able) to prepare well to conform with international standards.” Ms. Burns said selling the crafts to a tourist is a one off sale which only happens at a certain time frame during visits. To earn a living and venturing into an SME business is far more complex especially for artisans. Starting with supply and demand, the artisan must find a niche market where he or she can sell the specially tailored crafts. Only then can the artisan start to scale the business. She gave an example of three artisans whom she had secured international markets for, and from this experience said overseas buyers will only buy a product which pass quarantine guidelines and tailored for them. OTDF through its Business Development Department provides business advisory services to support SMES, Regional Women’s and Youth Associations to transition to full operational independence.
OTDF Provide Economic Sustenance Through Fishing Project
THE long awaited Zibo Zonga Fishing project in the Middle Fly region of Western Province is taking shape. This was made possible through positive partnership and dialogue with the Papua New Guinea National Fisheries
Authority (PNGNFA) and OTDF’s Business Development Division.
According to Business Development Team leader, Mr. Gabriel Kotona, a proposal to revive the project was presented to the NFA last month and NFA came back with a positive response.
“The National Fisheries Authority is very happy with our submission and has placed the Zibo Zonga Fishing project as one of its priority undertakings in the country,” Mr. Kotona said.
He also said that the PNGNFA is proposing a counter funding venture of K500, 000 if all necessary requirements are properly documented during the initial feasibility studies.“We are carrying out feasibility studies in the twelve villages that have ownership of the fishing company.
These are Kavianaga, Obo, Owa, Levame, Kasa, Komovai, Aiambak, Wangawanga, Bosset, Manda, Mipan and Kuem,” Mr. Kotona added. Mr. Kotona said the feasibility study is concentrated around post-harvest documentation which will project adequate information on product type and costing.
“Initially we will locate a neutral area where the factory will be erected to provide market for the local fishing villages and at the same time establish satellite ice machines throughout the twelve villages powered by a hybrid power source.” This is in relation to NFA requirements for fish products to be stored in cooling systems that run on a 24 hour basis.
The Middle Fly Trust chairman, Masola Abilo, also made a commitment of K300, 000 to support and get the project off the ground. “This is the project that my people have been waiting for and we really appreciate what OTDF is doing in terms of its progress,” he said. Most of the products will be exported to established domestic and international markets so that local fishermen benefit fully.
OTDF is committed to improve self-sustainability and quality of life of Western Province communities.
With proven track record on effective and efficient implementation of development programs, strong partnerships, open and transparent communications with appropriate and accountable financial and operations support systems
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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Executive Management
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Board Members
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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.