Digicel Foundation

CLC Kapa Structure for Gabagaba is expected to improve the village’s efforts and capacity in early childhood learning.

Yet, it is sad to say that many of these young enthusiastic learners, who strive every day to learn the alphabet, only enter into a formal education system where not all of them will have the opportunity to go further.

Gabagaba United Church chairman, Miria Ume, put that into perspective saying that early childhood learning is the first step at trying to bridge that widening gap.

This was highlighted at the recent launch of a new double classroom building at the Simola primary school along the Mushu coastline of the Vanimo Green District, Sandaun province.

Education is the single biggest opportunity that can be given to a child, and for this reason Digicel PNG Foundation is committed to delivering quality classrooms all around the country.

These classrooms can aid to help children have an environment that is conducive to their education.

Narara was invited by the Digicel PNG Foundation CEO Beatrice Mahuru to speak to recipients of the 2017 Men of Honour event at the Stanley Hotel on Saturday April 29, 2017.

In the third part of Granger Narara’s speech, he tells of his experiences and how a small group of Papua New Guineans pioneered flying in the early days.

He continues the third part of this speech …

Puana was one of 17 finalists nominated by an independent panel of judges made up of MoH inaugural winner Jimmy Drekore, Cassaundra Rangip, Dr Eric Kwa, David Terry, Sarah Haoda and new judges Betty Lovai and Dadi Toka Jnr.

After taking out the Ela Motors Education Champion Award category, Puana was voted by the judges as the most outstanding Man of Honour among other category winners because of his selfless pursuit of education for his people.

The recognition was bestowed at the prestigious Gala Event that took place last weekend at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby.

During the gala ‘black bowtie only’ event, held at Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby on the night of Saturday April 29,  he also spoke about his “most memorable moment” when he highlighted his 41 year flying career.

The memorable moment  occurred on March 30^th, 2013 and was the flight He conducted on an A330 from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, Belgium with his son Nigel as my co-pilot.

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 Foundation’s innovative campaign against violence, designed to create conversation around the issue for a pendulum shift in the attitudes by recognising ordinary men doing extraordinary deeds.

Digicel Foundation CEO, Beatrice Mahuru, said she was excited to hear the story of Captain Narara, whose tale of hard work and commitment can raise locals to become demanded international human resource.

The support is through a public-private partnership with Digicel Foundation, the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea.

This partnership on school infrastructure is an example of how u Australian Government is working creatively with the private sector and local communities on development projects.

Kepesia Primary School in Central Bougainville is one of four primary schools to benefit from this partnership.

The school received a fully furnished double classroom with solar panels, and toilet facilities for both boys and girls.

Announced today, Digicel Foundation Board Chairman, Douveri Henao announced that Professor Betty Lovai and Dadi Toka Jnr will be the judges of the two new categories that were launched last year.

Dr Lovai is UPNG’s Executive Dean for the School of Humanities and Social Science and will be judging the Allen Mahuru Posthumous Service Award.

Judging the Young Men of Honour Award will be Dadi Toka Jnr.