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From Determination to Transformation

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Marib Integrated Christian School is situated within ward 28 of Karkar LLG in Sumkar District of Madang province. The school proudly stands as a beacon of early learning, catering to young minds in their formative stages.

The genesis of this school revolves around the remarkable tale of Jacob Malau, a venerable figure hailing from Marib village. Fueled by a profound sense of duty, Jacob embarked on a mission to address the pressing educational needs of not only his village but also the neighboring communities.

In the words of Emma Malau, Jacob’s daughter, the daily journey to acquire knowledge is an arduous one for the local pupils. Every morning, these determined students embark on lengthy treks to school and back, enduring a tiresome routine that ultimately takes a toll on their enthusiasm for learning.

Emma Malau on her fathers (Jacob Malau’s) determination.

Emma Malau further elucidates that the initial fervor to attend school wanes as the academic year unfolds, dampening the students’ spirits due to the sheer distance they have to traverse. The consequences of this predicament are far-reaching, casting a shadow over the educational prospects of many young children.

A dearth of formal education leaves a void that is increasingly filled by negative forces, fostering an upsurge in criminal activities and law enforcement challenges within the community.

Undeterred by the scarcity of resources, limited knowledge capacity, and financial constraints, Jacob Malau summoned the collective strength of the community. In 2018, a transformative endeavor was realized – the establishment of Marib Integrated Christian School. The fruits of Jacob’s labor were borne out of his resolute determination to make a difference.

Currently, the school’s halls resonate with the joyous echoes of over a hundred students, aged 3 to 9, who have been embraced by its early learning program. A core focus of this curriculum revolves around the fundamentals of phonics, empowering young learners with the ability to decipher sounds, letters, and the art of reading and writing.

Jacob Malau’s journey exemplifies the power of an individual’s vision and determination to sculpt a brighter future for his community. Marib Integrated Christian School now stands as a testament to the transformative impact that one person’s dedication can have on the educational landscape. However, Jacob encounters several challenges in his endeavor.

The classrooms where students gather remain incomplete, resembling open spaces furnished with only a handful of desks and a blackboard – the essentials for facilitating learning. One pressing issue is the absence of adequate fencing to enclose the school premises. This lack of boundary poses a security concern and adds to the array of challenges the school faces. Furthermore, the dedicated team of four educators and two assistants who work tirelessly to nurture the students’ growth are not compensated for their efforts.
Jacob takes it upon himself to support these instructors and helpers through community-driven fundraisers, reflecting his commitment to the cause.

Nevertheless, the road ahead is not without its obstacles. One pivotal hurdle is the need for the school to be formally registered, a crucial step in gaining recognition from the education department. Jacob envisions a brighter future for the school, one where it stands as a legitimate and acknowledged institution.

In a heartfelt plea, Jacob’s daughter, Emma, advocates on her father’s behalf. She earnestly appeals to donors, NGOs, churches, and even governmental bodies to extend their helping hand. The objective is clear: to fortify the school’s foundations, ensure fair compensation for the dedicated staff, and ultimately secure the recognition that the school rightfully deserves.

Currently, Emma is engrossed in a two-week training program focused on participatory community journalism, hosted at Alexishafen. Her purpose in undertaking this training is to contribute her newfound knowledge toward tackling some of the obstacles that Marib Integrated Christian School encounters. The training’s core objective is to foster endogenous development within the community.
As part of this initiative, a group of 30 participants hailing from diverse backgrounds such as Community Based Organizations, civil society groups, and church associations within Sumkar District are benefiting from the training’s insights.

During the initial week of the program, participants were equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to establish their own community-based organizations. Guided by the 4-P communication strategic plan, they also delved into the realm of utilizing Android phones as tools to capture stories on film.
Armed with these newfound skills, participants are poised to chronicle the endeavors and initiatives unfolding within their communities. This documentation prowess serves a dual purpose: it aids in generating a comprehensive record of community efforts, and it facilitates the creation of compelling proposals tailored for small grants from potential donors. These grants, in turn, will be channeled into funding small-scale community projects that cater to the distinct needs of each respective community.

An important note is that this intensive two-week training initiative has been made possible through the support of the Lukautim Graun Program, underscoring the significance of collective efforts and external backing in driving positive change at the grassroots level.

Other Stories: https://insidepng.com/safeguarding-leatherback-turtles-in-papua-new-guinea-a-cultural-and-environmental-endeavor/

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Geekala Makes History

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A mother of three has created history for herself by becoming the first and only specialized female operator of Air Niugini’s Main Deck Loader. A machine used to load and unload larger containerized cargo from the main deck of large aircrafts. 36-year-old Michelle Geekala who hails from East Sepik and Gulf provinces and has worked with Air Niugini Cargo Department’s operations section since 2021.
Michelle said her journey has not been easy.
“It comes with its own challenges but you have to believe in yourself, even when no one does, you have to be your own supporter and critique, challenge yourself to be better than you were yesterday, said Geekala.
Her recent task was unloading heavy mining equipment from the main deck of a Boeing 747-400 series freighter at the Jacksons airport in Port Moresby.

Geekala had previously operated the Lower Deck Loader (LDL) for both the B747 and B737 freighters, but the recent task was her first on the Main Deck Loader.
Air Niugini’s Manager for Cargo Operations, Trevor Elly said the airline’s cargo department has always maintained a healthy level of female presence in its business and in particular its operational areas both within Port Moresby and the domestic network.
“We are proud of Michelle’s progress, breaking into an area where you find only men working there. She is currently the only female in the Port Moresby Operations unit who operates the MDL equipment and joins a legacy of other female Cargo Operations Staff including our current Cargo Business Development Manager.” said Elly.

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Bougainville to Produce First Draft of an Autochthonous Constitution

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Consultations for a constitution for Bougainville towards independence has stated and is nearing its end with the Southern region final chapter for the consultations.
Vice President Patrick Nisira part of the envoy made it clear that the process towards independence for Bougainville has been laid out and there is no room for doubts, as the ABG has the main goal of independence for Bougainville.
“We are not second guessing we are working with the PNG Government to get Independence for Bougainville, we are merely implementing the wishes of the people of Bougainville expressed through the Bougainville Referendum conducted under PNG Laws, to be an Independent country.
“The people of Bougainville made a choice, we try to bring justification for the 97.7 percent why did people of Bougainville vote? Let’s not dwell on that it was a free and fair vote.
“We have been across the country in all four regions and we are doing Political lobbying for the final process of ratification in Parliament we want to gain support of the members of parliament in PNG,” Nisira added
The Bougainville Referendum vote in 2019 had an overwhelming support of 97.7 percent that voted for independence, it was from two options made available, the first being greater Autonomy and the second option Independence. The majority of Bougainvillean’s opted for Independence.

With the referendum results clear on the choice for independence began the Post Referendum consultations, with the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meetings paving the way for a foreseeable final political settlement, which upholds the terms and conditions of both the Bougainville Peace Agreement and part XVI of the PNG Constitution on the Bougainville Government and Bougainville Referendum.
After the three Post referendum consultations in Kokopo, Wabag and Port Moresby, the recent signing of the Era Kone Covenant on the finalisation of the Bougainville Referendum on Independence, has set the ball rolling for a final political settlement.
The PNG Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government both agreed in Port Moresby to uphold the commitments made in Kokopo and Wabag for the implementation of arrangements for independence/political settlement no earlier than 2025 and no later than 2027.
With a foreseeable future ahead the formulation of an independent nation is founded on a constitution, thus the ABG has assigned the Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission to conduct a consultation with Bougainvilleans across Papua New Guinea.
Similar to how Papua New Guinea Established their constitution Bougainville will have a wide consultation for a founding constitution.
The commission is concluding its consultations in the southern region and are in Port Moresby and will later move on to Alotau.
The commission was represented by Vice president of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Patrick Nisira and Minister for Independence Mission Implementation and the Attorney General Ezekiel Masatt, who is also the commission’s deputy chairperson, the two spoke to the first gathering at the University of Papua New Guinea at the Drill Hall.
The commission said the purpose of the consultation is to take account of the opinions and inputs by Bougainvillea’s living across the country in order to produce the first draft of an autochthonous constitution, meaning a constitution that will be native to Bougainville to be an independent nation.
Attorney General Ezekiel Masatt said the consultation upholds the 2019 referendum that had 97.7 percent of Bougainvillians voting for independence, he gave a patriotic uplifting speech to those that gathered, telling those present that Bougainvillians must take responsibility of their part in this process towards independence.

“If you look at the referendum and a general election, the processes are the same except in the elections where we vote for individuals and they are replaced or retained in a set time.
“No one before or after the referendum will ever go through this process, it is this generation that has voted for generations to come. Voting through the referendum is not enough, the work we are doing to establish a constitution for Bougainville will give meaning to our referendum vote and shape the independent society we talk of.
“If we had voted overwhelmingly for independence 97.7 percent our responsibility did not end at the polling booth it actually started now that the commission is here we must acknowledge the responsibility that I voted for generations to come.
“No one forced me to make the decision of independence over greater autonomy, we owe it to future generations to shape our society and must take part in these consultations to develop our constitution”, Massat said.
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville had decided on the Path to Independence through a vote of referendum under the transitional Government which is the Autonomous Bougainville Government,
Now what is left is the ratification by the 11th parliament in PNG, for a final political settlement.
Whilst the political lobbying is ongoing, Bougainville has to have a strong economy that can support the growth of an independent nation, Vice President Nisira highlighted a few key projects that will bolster economic growth to propel Bougainville towards Independence.
“If we can work together, we can bring forth an economy that can sustain our independence, the political process is on track, but we do recognize the need for a strong economy for independence, we do not deny it, we are going to address it.
“Bougainville Copper bankrolled PNGs independence, and we have the mine, we have the asset, the President and the people of Panguna have agreed to reopen the mine, they want to create a local entity to attract international investors partnering with the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
“Hopefully by August the Government will give the Exploration License ELO1, to start bringing in investors,” Nisira said.

“Hopefully by August the Government will give the Exploration License ELO1, to start bringing in investors,”

Vice President ABG Patrick Nisira

The Vice President also mentioned that there are other projects as well inline to start which includes the
Manitai Limestone project, and the Bougainville National Gold Refinery which Nisira says is 80% Complete.
“We will keep our Gold in Bougainville.
“The investor will hold 60% whilst the Bougainville Government will have 40% share,” Nisira said.
The Vice President also mentioned the Bougainville Economic Plan which he says is in its draft phase.
“With this plan the ABG, Civil Society and business community will have better coordination towards building an efficient plan to improve the economic status of Bougainville,” Nisira added.
The other important projects include the building of enabling infrastructures, through donor partners and the government of PNG. This encompasses the construction of roads bridges and wharfs.
“We are still working on Bougainville Power to solve power issues in the region, we are also looking into green energy, Solar power and the hydro project in Tinputz will be revisited.

Consultations in Port Moresby will continue on Saturday at the UPNG Drill hall.

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Transforming Papua New Guinea into a Force of Nature

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Home to lush tropical rainforests, magnificent mountains, and pristine islands and seas, Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, accounting for about five percent of global biodiversity.

However, climate change and unsustainable growth threaten these natural assets, ones that the people have enjoyed for thousands of years.

Sipora Naraga, a resident of Aromot Island, an atoll off the coast of Umbol Island the Vitiaz Strait of Morobe Province, laments about what has come to pass.

“Our island is smaller now than it was before.”

“The soil isn’t fertile like it used to be, we can’t grow anything here,” she says.

Sipora’s story speaks directly to the impacts of climate change, deforestation, and degradation of land and water.

PNG’s abundant natural assets underpin its potential to manage and use these assets to generate an ‘ecosystem services’ economy – based on fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy. And yet much of the country’s recent growth has been fueled by hydrocarbon-based industrialization and the extractive industries.

In 2019, extractives made up over a quarter of the country’s gross domestic product and accounted for 88% of its export revenues.

And yet, much of the population has not benefited from these revenues.

It is mostly subsistence-based agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors that account for a quarter of the GDP, and supports over 80% of the population.

Recognizing the threats to its marine and terrestrial environment and acknowledging its global role as a frontier nation in the fight against climate change, the Government of PNG has made several strong international commitments and has advanced its domestic legislation and policy statements.

Implementation, however, has fallen short of the commendable intent and ambition.

A report recently published by the PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and UNDP offers some clear insights.

The report – “Making Nature’s Value Visible” – presents clear evidence and data that the highly concentrated extractive-based growth, combined with insufficient enforcement of environmental standards cannot sustainably and inclusively increase the country’s prosperity.

Read More: “Making Nature’s Value Visible: Valuing the Contribution of Nature to Papua New Guinea Livelihoods ea.’s Economy and”  

The development imperative for PNG is clear. The country will gain significantly in both the short and long run, by pivoting its economy toward its most abundant resource: the natural environment. Moving rapidly to renewable energy, introducing sustainable agriculture and fisheries practices at scale, and restoring and regenerating the country’s marine and terrestrial environments, are all essential investments in the country’s future.

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Family Planning Method in Remote Areas

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Family planning services including vasectomy are crucial for families to better plan for the number of children they want to have.

Many men who want vasectomies live in remote areas where it is difficult to access health services. When an outreach team arrives in a village, men and women from neighboring villages will walk long distances to access family planning services. 

Teams set up their mobile sterilized rooms and start the day by providing education and peer counseling sessions with clients before assisting couples with their family planning needs. 

The following is a story of one such outreach conducted by Marie Stopes PNG.

As the last couple leaves the room, Joseph Mondo stands at the corner of the makeshift outreach site. Joseph stays for a good 10 minutes, then sees a group of men approaching as silhouettes against the fading rays of the sun.

“Mipla laikim vasectomy but planti manmeri stap na mipla no kam,” (We want vasectomies but there were too many people around, so we did not come).

As Joseph has done many times before, he tells the group he will attend to them after his other team members have left, so he can maintain the men’s privacy.

After everyone has left, Joseph sits down with the men to talk to them about family planning, sexual reproductive health, and vasectomies – the procedure, the expected effects, and the benefits – so they understand what is involved before making their decisions.

Joseph Mondo – or Joe as he is known by locals across the Highlands region – is an outreach nurse and a trusted vasectomy provider. Joe has been serving Highlands communities as an outreach officer with Marie Stopes PNG since 2009.

A vasectomy is a permanent male contraceptive method to help couples plan their future when they are sure they do not want any more children. Vasectomies are safe, have no known health risks, and are 99.95 percent effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies.

“I am a non-scalpel vasectomy provider and I provide this service to men who do not want to have any more children,” says Joe.

“One by one they would come in. I work into the night until the last person leaves. Then I wait around until there was no one else and then I would pack up for the night,” he says.

Joe and the team provide these vital services to their clients in each community they visit, as it might be several months before they visit each village again.

Joe has many happy clients who are assisting him and the outreach team members to spread the word to men in their communities.

“I get phone calls from men in every part of the Highlands where there is a need for this vasectomy service, but I am only one man and can only go one village at a time,” he says.

In the last twelve months, Marie Stopes PNG has implemented 1,684 mobile outreach clinics reaching 125,184 people and delivering over 2,123 vasectomies across Western Highlands, Morobe, Central, Madang, Simbu, NCD, Eastern Highlands, and East New Britain provinces.

With funding support from the Australian Government, Marie Stopes has been implementing family planning and sexual reproductive health services under the Partnering for Strong Families project in Papua New Guinea.

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