West Papua children visit animal sculptures

West Papua children living at the West Papuan Camp in Rainbow, Port Moresby, were pleasantly surprised and amused by the larger than life size sculptured animals made from rubbish collected around the city.

One of the mothers, Melissa Brabar, who brought the children to the Park, said whilst some of the children attend schools here, others stay home, adding that she used the school holidays as a wonderful opportunity for the kids to get out of the camp and enjoy what was being displayed at the Park.

“I am happy that I got to do this for these children and I am sure they have learnt a lot just by looking at these animal sculptures and reading information that come with it. It’s very educational and worthwhile activity for all children and adults as well,” Brabar said.

Meanwhile, Port Moresby Nature Park’s General Manager, Michelle McGeorge, said: “We are pleased to advise that we are extending the BSP Treasure to Treasure Sculpture Festival due to popular demand and because of the important messages conveyed to residents on ‘Rethinking your use of Rubbish’ and each of our responsibility to creating a healthier environment.

“The use of anything plastic from shopping bags to wrappers to drink bottles, to food trays and takeaway packs, amongst others, has a very negative impact on the environment. If we cannot look after our environment now, our children and their children will not be able to enjoy a pollution free environment,” McGeorge added.

She said for this reason and its popularity, the sculptures would remain in the park until Wednesday 31 July, 2019.  The Park gates are open daily, 8am to 4pm.

The Nature Park is now the highest visited single attraction in the country with over 140,000 visitors per annum, and is dedicated to community education, conservation and safe recreational spaces.

(Brabar, backrow-centre, with children from the camp)

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