The Vunadawai Primary School in the Livuan Reimber Local Level Government, East New Britain, celebrated the official opening of one of its classrooms and an office yesterday.
More than 500 people turned up to witness the occasion, which included the ground breaking ceremony of another library building project.
Unlike other government agency schools in the country, the story of the Vunadawai Primary School classroom and office launching is one of true sacrifice.
Talks about these two projects began late last year on November 23. The school board then met and appointed an architect.
Although the school received some funding from the collection of project fees and the tuition fee free subsidy, as well as the Gazelle district infrastructure grant, a large portion of the funds came from self-reliance fundraisings organised by the school itself.
“You have shown this country that it can be done with a bit of sacrifice,” said Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion, when commending the school in his keynote address.
Locals at Vunadawai were moved by the DPM’s presence at the occasion yesterday.
Upon his arrival at 11.02am, a 3-minute break was given before the program kick started with a display of sugar cane and coconut breaking, known in Kuanua as the bunubur na tup and pupuar na lama, followed by the warkakava, a term in the local vernacular that is used to describe the practice of giving birth. It was carried out as a customary form of welcome.
These were all done to show that the DPM was no stranger and that he was embraced by the mothers, who had done the warkakava, as a child of their own.
Whilst giving a report of the project, principal Yabu Nuak asked the students, staff and the people of Vunadawai to be happy and acknowledge the DPM’s effort in making time available to attend to their invitation.
“This is a big thing,” said the principal.
“Today I will remember this occasion the most because Grand Chief is with us.”
Towards the end of his keynote address, the DPM pledged to commit K100,000 from the PSIP to assist the school in the building of its new library.
Celebrations with a combination of item presentations of modern & contemporary dances, as well as traditional dances, continued even after the main event had ended at 2pm.
Present at the ceremony were dignitaries in the likes of the president for Inland Baining, John Sambie, parents, guardians and the Vunadawai Community.