NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA BUILD NEW MARKET FOR KIMBE

 

The dignitaries at the entrance of the new facility.

 

West New Britain, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand officially open the new Kimbe Market

The redeveloped Kimbe Market in West New Britain has now been completed. 

The Kimbe Market Redevelopment is a joint initiative of the West New Britain, Australian and New Zealand Governments. 

It will provide accessible, reliable, and secure market facilities for local people.

The redeveloped market provides increased opportunities for economic security for market vendors, their families and communities, and safer, more comfortable, and accessible market infrastructure for all market users. 

It will support ongoing social and economic development and prosperity in the province.

Women vendors put out fresh fruits and vegetables for sale in the new market.

Visitors, patrons, vendors, and their families will benefit from the market’s new amenities. 

These include bathrooms, washing areas, fresh water, storage facilities, improved lighting and safety features, essential sanitary waste management facilities, and better access for people and vehicles.

 There are also environmental features such as solar power and rainwater harvesting.

The Minister for Finance and Implementation, Rainbo Paita MP, the Governor for West New Britain Sasindran Muthuvel, Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp and New Zealand High Commissioner, Peter Zwart came together to officially open the new look market.

Governor Muthuvel said: “The Kimbe Market is a fundamental part of the economic and cultural fabric of West New Britain; it brings together people from across the province and is essential to our future prosperity. 

Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp unveiling the plaque as the other dignitaries look on.

"Throughout this journey – from the very beginning to today – I am proud and delighted to have witnessed the hard work and contribution of the Kimbe community and the people of West New Britain.”

“The Kimbe Market redevelopment is an exciting example of our PNG-Australia Partnership delivering community impact for the long term. 

"High quality, critical infrastructure – like the Kimbe Market – is about prioritising local solutions, local voices, and local participation to drive sustainable development outcomes,” Mr Philp said.

New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG, Peter Zwart highlighted in his remarks that, “This world class market facility is the result of a strong partnership between West New Britain Provincial Government and the Governments Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand that will endure into the future.”

“The New Zealand Government is proud to have supported the aspirations of the Provincial Government and the people of West New Britain for the development of a bigger, better, safer, and more secure Kimbe market. 

Government dignitaries inside the facility after the unveiling of the plaque, from (L-R): Nakanai MP, Francis Maneke, Minister for Finance, and Implementation, Rainbo Paita, West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel, Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp, New Zealand High Commissioner, Peter Zwart and Talasea MP, Freddie Kumai.

"We are confident this vital development will serve as a hub for smallholder farmers and market vendors, particularly women, to grow economic opportunity and improve and sustain their livelihoods,” said High Commissioner Zwart.

The Kimbe Market Redevelopment created opportunities for local businesses, and jobs and training for local workers, including 23 women and five people with a disability. 

In addition, local groups and stakeholders were engaged in consultation and decision making from the outset of the project.

Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are proud to partner with local communities to invest in redeveloping markets. 

Markets are important economic hubs that support the livelihoods and wellbeing of women, people with disability and entire communities.

Dignitaries taken on tour for the facility.

50 WOMEN LAWYERS COMPLETE CIVIL & CRIMINAL ADVOCACY TRAINING

 

Five of the 50 female lawyers who attended the training program.

Record Number of Law Students Attend Workshop on Civil and Criminal Advocacy

PNG’s Legal Training Institute (LTI), in collaboration with Australia’s Victorian Bar recently, completed its most recent course on Civil and Criminal Advocacy. 

The workshop was supported by the Australian Government through the PNG-Australia Partnership and provided LTI students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to be effective courtroom advocates in civil and criminal law matters. 

This year saw the highest number of students involved with over 150 participating, 50 percent of those being women.

Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika opened the workshop and told the students: “Listen and learn, the sessions will be intense so be prepared and learn as much as you can. 

A participant at the workshop.

"You will take part in mock court room cross examinations, getting your facts right is important so know your facts well to present to the court, and actively participate in discussions.”

The five-day training was facilitated by members of the Victorian Bar (Australia), the LTI team and the Papua New Guinea Law Society. 

The 14-member Victorian Bar team that travelled to Port Moresby for the workshop included retired President of the Supreme Court of Appeal of Victoria, Honourable Chris Maxwell AC KC, and retired Victoria Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Peter Riordan and 11 experienced barristers. 

During the week, students engaged in a range of activities, including interactive sessions and practical courtroom scenarios with accomplished trainers and legal practitioners. 

LTI students with Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Salika, LTI staff, members of the Victorian Bar, members of the PNG Law Society and representatives from the Australian High Commission at the opening of the workshop.

The experience provided participants with invaluable insights into case analysis, evidence presentation, effective communication, and persuasive techniques.

Vavine Sere was one such student, identifying the practical court sessions as her main highlight. 

“I learnt so much during the practical court sessions. They gave us problems and we had to work out how we would present in court to argue our client’s case. 

"Some days we acted as the prosecutor and some days as the defence, and we got good feedback from the presenters so that really helped me learn. 

LTI students who attended the workshop.

"It’s a lifelong skill that we must perfect, and this week has been a very good start for me.”

The increased participation of women continues to strengthen the legal profession in PNG with a greater diversity in legal decision-making and representation. 

The week also highlighted the continuing strong relationship between LTI and the Victorian Bar with workshops being held annually since 1990 thanks to support from the Australian Government through the PNG- Australia Partnership.

Students at the Legal Training Institute listening to one of the presenters from the Victorian Bar during the workshop.

JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN

 

Hope and Healing Flies to Indagen, PNG

Story and Photos by Landen Kelly

“It is the first time in my life to see a medical team arrive near my community to provide help,” said Joel Salnuka.

 
In January MAF flew a health team of seven medical professionals from Braun Memorial Hospital (BMH) into the remote village of Indagen. 

While visiting the Indagen Health Clinic the team was able to see a total of 221 patients, perform 20 minor operations, vaccinate 88 children, provide physiotherapy for 47 patients, and restock the clinic’s pharmacy with essential medications.
 
“Our main purpose is to see patients here in Indagen and help out with the shortage of drugs, and see to those who need medical assistance,” said Paias Korus the health team leader and a second-year medical resident officer (RMO) from BMH.
 
Paias tested positive for malaria shortly after landing in Indagen and was forced to battle the illness while also providing essential health care needed by the villagers. 

On the team's third day, Paias helped lead operations, ranging from the removal of abnormal growths to hernia surgeries, working in the clinic’s makeshift operating room for 14 continuous hours while fighting off fever and chills brought on by his newly diagnosed case of malaria.
 
According to the BMH team, malaria has started to become endemic across areas of PNG that use to sit above the malaria line, such as Indagen. 

In the past, villages in the country’s highlands did not have to worry about malaria due to the colder temperatures brought on by their higher elevations. 

However, the change in the global climate has begun to result in the threat of malaria-infected mosquitos encroaching into new areas that use to be deemed too cold for the disease-carrying insects to survive.
 
“Malaria is typically seen as a tropical illness and it tends to be more in the lowland areas where it is warm,” said Paias. 

“But, currently with the climate changing the higher altitudes have started to become warmer and are making these areas more susceptible to malaria.”
 
The BMH team was able to help stock the Indagen Health Clinic with rapid-test malaria kits as well as malarone and primaquine, two drugs used to treat and prevent malaria. 

While in Indagen five patients were tested for malaria and two resulted in positive tests.
 
Indagen is part of the Kabwum District in the Morobe province and sits roughly 10 nautical miles from the coastline. 

However, due to its high elevation (5380 ft) and no access to roads, the district is isolated from all major services and is only accessible via small aircraft or by risking a multi-day walk through the wet jungle.

 
“People in PNG and especially here in the Kabwum district are in desperate need of medical health services,” said Samuel Auru a RMO with BMH. 

“So, we are happy that MAF can provide support to the medical team, and the medical hospital in Braun, to help us come here.”
 
While in Indagen the team was able to see patients who have been in dire need of health services. 

A couple of Kabwum people were in such poor condition that they were transported from a nearby village in wheelbarrows so that they could receive the help being offered at the clinic.
 
“It is the first time in my life to see a medical team arrive near my community to provide help,” said Joel Salnuka a clinic patient who traveled several hours on foot from an adjacent village to be seen by the health team.
 
A couple of weeks before the team arrived, Joel had slipped while traveling through the jungle and fractured his wrist. 

While visiting the clinic, Joel was able to get his wrist splinted and received a care plan with various exercises that will help see to his recovery.

 
“We don’t have access to roads or good services. But this medical team really helped our lives. We really appreciate it. We give glory to God,” said Joel.
 
During the team’s time in Indagen, they were also able to teach some preventative healthcare practices by hosting a Tok Save (Tok Pisin for an informative talk) about tuberculosis, malaria, chronic back pain, and general hygiene care.
 

MAF is supported by New Zealand Aid with grant funding that enables MAF to fly healthcare teams into remote areas across PNG to provide essential medical support. 

This funding is used by MAF to connect with provincial health authorities and hospitals while also empowering MAF to dedicate 300 flight hours to specifically support health patrol teams.

THE GEDSI MAN of POMIO

 

Newly built classrooms at Palmalmal Secondary School

Infrastructure and social inclusion program improves academic standard at Palmalmal Secondary School

Ludwick Kampukia, or the ‘GEDSI man’ as he is sometimes referred to, has been a champion of the Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) program at the Palmalmal Secondary School in Pomio District of East New Britain Province.

The GEDSI program is a component of a PGK3.5 million grant from the Australian Government to build new infrastructure at Palmalmal Secondary School that aims to make schools gender inclusive, providing education opportunities for both boys and girls.

As the Deputy Principal, Ludwick Kampukia is grateful that the program continues to impact the lives of his students and communities around the secondary school.

“Because of the GEDSI program and the awareness drive in the communities and the school, students’ performance has improved, and we have an increase in number of girls in the upper secondary classes. Parents are beginning to understand the importance of education,” he said proudly.

Through his leadership and ongoing support from the school administration,  Kampukia has initiated more changes within the school’s structure.

“In the past we only had men making up the Governing Council and Parents & Citizens Council. Now, because of this GEDSI program, we have tried our best to make a fair representation of the members.

The GEDSI program has also changed some of the school organised activities. Sometimes we had games organised by boys only or girls – now we have both genders actively planning and taking part in different sports – narrowing the gap between girls and boys,” said Kampukia.

For Grade 12 student, Christine Lepan, the new infrastructure has been life changing.

Palmalmal Secondary School Deputy Principal Ludwick Kampukia.

“The buildings come with everything, and we are learning a lot. It’s good to share ideas and have discussions with the boys. I think it is helping us a lot”, she said.

Kampukia adds that many of the social issues at the school were a result of lack of respect, and through this continuous awareness the students have developed self-respect among themselves.

“We have combined assembly, as well as meetings for boys and girls separately, and talk with them to instil self-respect and discipline.

 After completion of the infrastructure, we have seen an improvement in student performance. This is because of the GEDSI component imbedded into students’ academic work – so change in attitude goes together with academic performance,” he said.

Kampukia is not alone in his work to encourage GEDSI awareness in the local area. Other community members, including a policewoman and community leaders, have joined him in visiting schools and nearby communities to increase awareness. 

Their efforts continue to improve the experience for students like Silas Kelre, a grade 10 student.

“Kampukia is our role model; I like how he runs his programs. It has helped us change our behaviour to learn new things and respect one another,” says Silas.

Orimilton Tadigu who teaches legal studies and social science, couldn’t agree more with the inclusion initiative: “The students are learning to work together. Before, boys were on one side and girls were on the other side. This has developed their minds – and has helped them achieve better results,” she said.

“It has helped teachers as well understand their roles as educators. If they are not implementing some of those initiatives, it would be difficult. I hope that this type of program continues,” she added.

And for students like Christine and Silas, who represent their peers, this is the beginning of positive change they saw in not only the school but in themselves too as they take a step closer towards realising their own dreams and aspirations for the future.

Grade 11 students in their newly built science classroom.