Digicel PNG Foundation

Today (4 April) marks the 11^th Anniversary of the passing of the Late William Arua Rarua of Hanuabada Village, who was the founder of the Liklik Cricket Competition, which began 19 years ago.

According to Seura Loa, cricketer and co-founder of Liklik Cricket, the late Rarua wanted to start up a competition for the young children in Hanuabada Village that would occupy them during the school holidays.

Many who were present had only heard of the name Granger Narara who was flying A330 aircrafts from Abu Dhabi to destinations around the world, but on Saturday night they had a chance in a lifetime to meet this humble yet, living PNG icon.

Captain Narara told his story of his life from a simple village in Milne Bay to being and International Airline Pilot and how he has guided his brother and son to follow in his footsteps.

The Men of Honour Awards is Digicel PNG Foundation’s innovative campaign against violence, designed to create conversation around the issue for a pendulum shift in attitudes by recognising ordinary men doing extraordinary deeds.

Digicel Foundation CEO, Beatrice Mahuru, said she was excited to have a strong woman who has had an inspiring 15 year political career, having served Papua New Guinea with distinction in a house dominated by men, and someone who is also a passionate advocate for Human Rights.

This was made possible through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Foundation for Women & Children at Risk (WeCARe!) and Digicel PNG Foundation.

The MOA confirms Digicel PNG Foundation’s funding of K630,000 to support the work of WeCARe for over 3 years.

“We are so grateful and appreciative to Digicel PNG Foundation for renewing our MOA. This support enables WeCARe to help provide much needed services to the disadvantaged population,” said Josephine Dormenge, WeCARe Program Manager.

This was announced yesterday by Digicel PNG Foundation Board chairman, Douveri Henao, in a media press conference in Port Moresby.

In the Men of Honor Cycle, two new categories were also launched, which saw two outstanding Papua New Guineans join the distinguished panel of judges.

The two new judges are Professor Betty Lovai, who will be judging the Allen Mahuru Posthumous Service Award and Dadi Toka Jnr, who will be judging the Young Men of Honor category.

Laden with sweets, gifts and goodie bags, Digicel staff were greeted at the gate with hearty carols and beaming smiles from the more than 150 students, ranging from 3 to 12 years old.

Their smiles soon turned into earsplitting grins when Santa came swaggering in to join the party. Everyone rushed to shake hands with Santa as he let out a jovial “Ha ha ha!” instead of the traditional “ho ho ho” that we are all used to.

The initiative is part of Digicel PNG Foundation’s annual CLC Christmas program.

Digicel PNG Foundation’s Community Development Manager Hane Toua and Digicel’s IT Specialist Timothy Kore were winners of the Live Learn Love competition that ran in all four countries that Digicel Foundation has been established in.

Map Primary School in Mendi Munhiu District of Southern Highlands Province and Tondomong in Mul Baiyer, in Western Highlands Province, were recipients of the Digicel Foundation funded double classroom kits, an investment of K480,000.

Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Beatrice Mahuru, says education is vital to growth. It drives social and economic development.

“Providing young children with access to basic education is one of our five key focus areas in Digicel PNG Foundation,” states Mahuru.

Digicel Foundation CEO Beatrice Mahuru said she was very grateful for the donation and thanked WeCARe for the kind gesture that will benefit the children in rural parts of the country.

“Education is the single greatest opportunity we can give a child and it is from this standpoint that we invest a lot to bridge the education gaps, especially in the most rural, remote communities where the majority of our population reside,” said Mahuru.

Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Beatrice Mahuru, said the Men of Honour Award is Digicel PNG Foundation’s innovative campaign against violence in PNG.

“Through our Men of Honour campaign, we are asking Papua New Guineans to identify positive male role models in their communities. In honouring the good men of Papua New Guinea, we can use positive behaviour to create the world we want to see.