Two Local Level Government in West New Britain Province have taken the lead in addressing issues affecting children by conducting Child Protection Training within the space of three weeks through the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
The week long Community Child Protection Volunteers Training in Kimbe, WNB Province from the 9th – 13th October was made possible through the Public-Private Partnership arrangement with Papua New Guinea Governance Facility (PGF) and the West New Britain Provincial Administration working together.
On hand to witness the graduation and present Certificates to the 32 participants was a/Executive Director, Office of Child and Family Services –Simon Yanis and Secretary for Department for Community Development and Religion Anna K Solomon.
Secretary Solomon commended WNB Province for keeping the Public-Private Partnership program alive, especially Hargy Oil Palm Limited who funded the similar training two weeks ago while the recently completed training was a partnership Papua New Guinea Governance Facility (PGF) and the West New Britain Provincial Administration.
“I made it all the way here not only to congratulate you but to encourage you that our children needs us, and we have a lot of work to do. Remember that wherever you are in your communities, the children will always look up to you because they know you are there to help them.” said Secretary Solomon.
Solomon strongly emphasised the importance of the role the Volunteers play in their communities while urging them to start with their children in their own homes before reaching to other children in their communities if we are serious to help our children.
In her concluding remarks, Secretary Solomon strongly emphasised on strengthening healthy partnerships between the Government and Private organisations if we want to see tangible change in our communities.
Meanwhile, a/Executive Director for the Children’s Office, Simon Yanis, challenged the participants to carry out their duties diligently without fear or favour, reminding them that dealing with children is a noble profession and they should be proud of their work.
“Always remember that all the things that we own, our customary and material birthrights are not ours but we owe them for our children. That is why we must ensure to get to the business of changing our society and that is through our children.” Said Yanis.
The training in Kimbe was the second Community Child Protection Volunteers training in the province followed by the first training two weeks ago in Bialla, and the first ever Community Volunteers Training to be conducted in WNB Province under the amended Lukautim Pikinini Act 2015.