Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Mine impact villages get new vehicles for business
The assets delivered to the local investment companies at Brown House2 Car Park.
In a brief presentation today (August 18), two villages received new vehicles to help boost assets belonging to their local investment companies. The handover took place at the Brown House 2 Car Park with officials from the Executive Management Team (EMT) and Trust Administration present.
Atemkit Village representative Mr. Wilson Sokim from Mine Village and Mr. Elijah Kimun from Kungembit village each received their community vehicle. These vehicles are part of a series of Trust Projects aimed at helping local communities grow and become more self-sufficient beyond mine life.
Mr. Sokim thanked the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) for their support. He said the vehicles will help with the success of a local business in the Mine Village called Hulory Investment.
Mr. Mari the Executive Management Program Services emphasised that the vehicles belong to the entire community. He asked the recipients to manage them with transparency and not to treat them as personal property.
“Remember, these vehicles are for the whole community. Use them responsibly and fairly,” Mr. Mari said.
Mr. Mari also reminded the recipients to be grateful for the support, noting that not everyone gets such opportunities. He highlighted OTDF’s commitment to helping communities and supporting their economic growth.
Sports facility upgrades to boost schools in Western Province
Hongas Primary School Principal, Mr. Fogy Ika Ade thanking the partners for the support
To promote youth development through sports, four primary schools in Western Province have received new sports equipment and major upgrades to their facilities. This initiative is part of the Community Sports Development Enhancement Program, funded by the Women & Children Associations of Western Province, with support from the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).
The schools—Gretutu Primary School, Kiunga Town Primary School, Hongas Primary School, and Montfort Primary School now have refurbished basketball courts, soccer goal posts and new sports gear. These improvements are aimed at providing better opportunities for students to engage in sports, stay active, and build essential life skills.
At the handover event, Ms. Ruth Ukins, President of the Nima Ara Women and Children Association, urged the school communities to maintain the new facilities. “We hope everyone, including students and the local community, will use these resources respectfully and share them to benefit all,” she said.
Participants flanked by partners in sports
Hongas Primary School Principal, Mr. Fogy Ika Ade, expressed gratitude, highlighting the positive impact of the upgrades. “This donation is a great help,” he stated. “Most schools in Kiunga lack the funds to invest in sports facilities or equipment. This support will have a lasting impact on our students and community.”
Looking ahead, the OTDF Community Sports Development Enhancement Program will expand its efforts through collaboration with the North Fly District Office. Plans are underway to develop and support additional sports programs across the communities, demonstrating a commitment to further fostering youth development and community engagement through sports.
Ms. Charlotte Mathews President for the Middle Fly Women and Children Association said OTDF has been providing essential support to ensure programs and projects reach more communities. She said “Their contribution is helping to create a sustainable model for community development in the region.”
These recent developments are expected to inspire other communities to invest in youth and sports as a means of building stronger, healthier societies.
Ok Tedi Development Foundation and Catholic Health Services Partner
Sister Philomena addressing the participants during the certification ceremony at the Peter Torot Training Center
In an effort to improve community health and wellbeing, the Ok Tedi Development Foundation OTDF WaSH Team, in partnership with Catholic Health Services, conducted a four day training session for Village Health Volunteers (VHV). The training was held at the Peter Torot Training Hall from August 26th to 29th, 2024.
This initiative is a refresher training designed for VHVs working within the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) communities. The training aims to equip volunteers with vital information and skills to support pregnant women, ensure effective antenatal care, child nutrition and care as well as prevention of malnutrition. By doing so, the program aims to ensure safe and healthy childbirths and improve overall children health outcomes in these communities.
With a focus on Health and Hygiene for the community the training covered several critical areas, including health and hygiene for babies and growing children, effective antenatal care practices, and the identification of malnutrition and prevention. By reinforcing these key aspects, the program intends to empower VHVs with the necessary knowledge and tools to better support expectant mothers and growing children in their communities.
“This refresher training is essential for our VHVs, who play a crucial role in our community health systems,” said Rody Ukins, North Fly District Hospital Health Manager. “By equipping them with up to date knowledge and practical skills, we aim to enhance their capacity to provide quality care and support, especially to the most vulnerable members of our community.”
The refresher training serves as a pilot initiative to explore how the WaSH program can better use the existing VHV health system to improve overall health outcomes in the CMCA communities. By utilising the skills and presence of VHVs, OTDF WaSH Program hope to create a more integrated and efficient community WaSH framework that addresses not only child health but also broader public health challenges.
“We are excited to collaborate with OTDF on this important initiative,” said Sr. Philomena , Catholic Health Services. “Our goal is to build a healthier community by ensuring that our VHVs are well-prepared to handle various health challenges and provide effective care at the community level.”
OTDF and Catholic Health Services will assess its effectiveness in order to improve and expand the program in the future. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen community health systems, ensuring that local health volunteers are well-equipped to meet the needs of their communities.
“Through this partnership we can help address some of the issues of Health, family planning and nutrition in communities,” Moses Kalup, Manager PSSD- OTDF. “OTDF is here to add value and support the system in terms of bridging good health to the communities.”
The four-day training session concluded on August 29th, with plans for further collaboration between OTDF, Catholic Health Services, to continue improving health outcomes in Western Province. This initiative is a step toward building a sustainable health care system in these communities, driven by local volunteers and supported by expert partnerships.
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.