AusAID

The water system was jointly opened by the sponsors; that is the UNICEF, AusAID and the implementers the ANIS Foundation, witnessed by the National Department of Education.

After almost 24 years of the existence of Pari Elementary school and 19 years without running water, the school finally celebrated running water within its premises, on World Water Day. 

World Water Day is observed on March 22^nd each year in many countries around the world including PNG

Forty women in Small to Medium Enterprises were selected from 120 applicants who underwent training as part of the United Nations Market Training program.

The program was funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agreement (JICA), co-funded by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), AusAID, and UN Women in collaboration with the provincial and district administration.

After the training, the women were empowered with the skills to earn an income, but they lacked the necessary equipment to continue cooking, baking, or sewing.

They were welcomed at the Hoskins Airport by West New Guinea Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel, Talasea MP, Freddie Reu Kumai and acting Provincial Administrator Leo Mapmani with other senior public Servants

The delegation accompanied by Governor Muthuvel and MP Kumai also visited Bitokara Community Health Post which Australia is also providing assistance through Incentive funding.

The Aid post was built in the early 60s, and is being upgraded to level 2 community health post.

Seventy-five participants graduated from this training with certificates in recognition of being equipped with knowledge on budgeting and savings, as small business owners.

The workshop was funded and supported by AusAID and facilitated by trainers from wards within Talasea LLG and who had prior training with BPNG.

The participants businesses comprised of canteens, village trade stores and roadside table markets. Before the program, these individuals did not have the required tools on hand to perform better savings and budgeting for their businesses.

The devices include walking aids consisting of auxiliary crutches, elbow crutches and walking sticks which have been donated to all 27 recommended PDPA members.

The assistive devices were donated by AusAID and delivered to the PDPA through the assistance of Porgera Joint Venture.

During a handover ceremony, PDPA President, Thomas Petale, thanked AusAID as well as PJV for facilitating the delivery of the devices to them.

Petale, who is also an employee of PJV, commended PJV for recognising and supporting the population with disability in the district.

An addition to this year’s program is another patrol tender donated by AusAID which will be used to transport health care teams and supplies to extremely remote areas  through  the MV YWAM PNG.

This will be in collaboration with local health authorities.

YWAM medmical ships Managing Director, Ken Mulligan says the new patrol tender will increase capacity to help mobilize training and health care patrols over large distances and strengthen the rural health sector.