BerlLinks News Blog

ELDERLY CELEBRATE THEIR INTERNATIONAL DAY IN STYLE

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:11:00 +0000

They came in different sizes, shapes and seniority. Some brought their grannies as well and told stories of their lineage. It was the International Elderly day and their kind in and around Goroka gathered in brightly colored collared shirts to celebrate, sing, dance, tell tales and even put on a march of a past era.
The senior citizens, mostly from the settlements of Goroka gathered and commemorated yet another International Elderly Day.
The elderly men and women were brought together by the Mercy Works Charity organization to celebrate their long life.
Mercy Works wanted many to remember how to look after the elderly.
It was based on the theme "respect and care for the elderly".

The grand Papas silently observed

Mama Rosa

Even the littlest ones celebrated

Papa Kinisimo of Kefamo.

The Jim Taylor March grand mums.

Naomi Yupae who coordinates the community NGO, EH Family Voice Inc, called out for many young people to commemorate the special day for recognition to the elderly. She says it is time to change our attitude and show more care and affection for the elderly in our communities.
The elderly men, some of whom had graced rugby league fields, driven VIPs and handled other menial jobs, sat patiently and observed the day's proceedings. The puppet show got every one into some kind of mood to appreciate the day.
Young women who are training to be Sisters of the Order put on a church song-dance. Many of the elderly, just sat, almost without emotions and observed.

Mama Agnes and Mama Rosa took to the stage and spoke about their past and look and take on life and later Papa Kinisimo of Kefamo, joined them to tell the tale of his feats with legendary Highlands pioneer patrol officer Jim Taylor.

Miss Jospehine Kombul offered an apology to the elderly for the care and hardships the elderly had put up with to give the young a good start in life.

The mamas also put on a Jim Taylor march. Mama Rosa led the March from what she saw the 'pioneer kiap' do with men who joined his patrol police.
Papa Kinisimo says good wisdom of the tumbunbas is now rejected, rubbished or not heard by the young people. He says this is why the community has far too many social problems.

20 other song and dance and speeches from more elderlies, and, the official goverment, chruch and bcommunity representatives took the celebrations to a full two hours.

Sister Marryanne Kolkia, whjo coordinates the International Elderly's Day with other sisters of Mercy Works concludes that through partnership and networking, great things can be achieved for special people like the elderly or tumbunas in our community.

SCOUTS & GUIDES GROWS AFTER FRESH START

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:20:00 +0000

The Boys Scouts and Girl Guides Movement has started slowly in the Eastern Highlands, at one stage almost died a natural death, with relevant support of NGOs and government.
After it was revived about 10 years ago, it did not grow until, much recently when the UNICEF partnered with the Education Department (Eastern Highlands Division) to adapt the movement as a concept to instil discipline in schools.
Only a handful of schools around Goroka took on the concept, three years ago and recently, over 60 scout and girl guides leaders were brought in for an ongoing leadership training.

The Scout & Guide Leaders after graduating

And, after the graduation, senior Scout Leaders from the Highlands -Momase Region and Guides from the National Office had no hesitation in declaring that movement is "spreading like a bush fire in whole of Eastern Highlands".

Naomi Yupae, Coordinator of Eastern Highlands Family Voice Inc
was among NGO leaders who backed Scouts & Guides Leadership

The third Scouts and Guides leaders graduation at the YC Hall in Goroka, put heavy emphasis on discipline and molding in of right habits, universal principles of scouts and guides world-wide. All the people who are partners or related to the movement in one way or another spoke discipline when they got the chance to address the graduating 20 leaders.

Provincial Education Adviser, Conrad Esoke, whose division partners UNICEF in the Scouts and Guides movement says, marijuana, girls getting pregnant, alcohol and basic indiscipline in schools had become extra-curricula activities. He believes Scouts and Guides is an answer to molding better young people.
Momase-Highlands Region Commissioner Training James Uvisa, says lack of support in the last ten years has denied the effective expansion of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in the region. He says the intervention and the support of UNICEF and the Provincial Education Division are much appreciated as the progress of the movement in Goroka is alive and moving.
Eastern Highlands Community Development Adviser Vegu Zavoino whose Division oversees, gender equity and child’s rights programs, noted the graduation of heads of the girl guides as a basic step in motherhood.

Agnes Inape, taking the salute.

A leading women advocate, and manager of NBC Easternm Highlands, Agnes Inape appreciated the Girl Guides Movement as an answer to bringing discipline back into the house.

Provincial Scouts Commissioner, David Glama
being pinned his Badge

The Scout leaders were invested with their world membership badges by Commissioner Training, James Uviusa. Commissioner Uvisa also commissioned Provincial Scout Commissioner David Glama, UNICEF Manager who has led the growth and training of Scouts and Guides in Eastern Highlands since 2009.
The training of Scouts Leaders and Heads of Girl Guides is an on going program funded by UNICEF and carried out initially in selected schools in most of the eight Districts of Eastern Highlands.
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GOROKA SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE LAB RE-BUILDING APPEAL

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:57:00 +0000

Posted: 10 Oct 2011 10:50 PM PDT
By MALUM NALU
Former students of Goroka Secondary School, one ofthe leading secondary educational institutions in the country, are puttingtheir money where their heart is. They will be holding a fundraising dinner at Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, Vision City, on Saturday, October 22, to help the school raise funds to rebuild its science laboratory, which was razed by fire in June this year.
The school, formerly known as Goroka High School,has produced some of Papua New Guinea’s leading personalities such as Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc, National Court judge Panuel Mogish, Airbus A380 pilot Capt Locklyn Sabumei, and many more from all over PNG.They have all been asked to help the school at this time of need.

Principal John Onga views the remains of the burnt Lab

Some Funds raised so far in the Appeal:
*Bintangor Goroka Lahanis donated K10,000 and pushed a wheel barrow for a further K2,000
*All students had been asked to bring in a K50 donation and apart from several wheel barrow pushes put on a Appeal shows
* Prime Minister Peter O'Neill ( a former student) committed K5 million on Sept, 16 in Goroka to the Science Lab re-building.
*Goroka MP, Conservation Minister Thompson Harokaqveh has also given support to the appeal.

A fundraising committee known as Asu Amiti Fundraising Committee has been set up in Goroka and Port Moresby since the burning down of the laboratory, and has already conducted several fundraising activities, which will culminate with the dinner.It is made up of former students and staff of the school.
Tickets are on sale in three categories – gold for K10, 000, silver for K5, 000 and bronze for K3, 000 – while individual tickets can be purchased for K150.
Committee member and businessman Jeno Aeno, owner of Oxford Medical Supplies and a former student, urged all former students toattend the dinner.
“We’re having ex-students from places like Alotau,Kokopo, Tabubil, Lae and Madang calling us to purchase tickets,” he said.
“These people are going to spend their own money tofly in just for the dinner.
“It’s also becoming like a big reunion for theschool.”
Aeno said they were already assured of support fromNational Gaming Control Board, Post PNG, JDA Wokman, Eyechen and NationalMaritime Safety Authority.
He is already putting his money where his mouth is,with Oxford paying for four tables at a cost of K19,000.
Former students and supporters of the school whowish to attend the dinner can call Oxford Medical Supplies on telephone: 3254874.

SDA MODEL SCHOOL GETS COMPUTERS

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:57:00 +0000

A Primary school in Eastern Highlands -- managed by the SDA church has become the first to receive a set of computers under the government's computers for schools program.
The Kami SDA school was selected because it's connected to the main power grid, is well kept in a clean and friendly environment of the SDA church.
The 10 computers were delivered to the school -- just 45 minutes south of Goroka town by the provincial projects officer, Anthony David.

As it is SDA school culture, a women marching group met the guests and started off the events to start off activities towards the receiving of the 10 computers.
Kami SDA school has 320 students and 6 teachers and has grades 3 to 8.
This was the first biggest government hand-out to the privately run school. It sets the way forward for other privately run schools to gain from the government.
Deputy Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato emphasised the point that Kami is a school of excellence under the provincial governments category, the computers are a big change in the school's and community's progress .
Tato says he personally gave a quality check on the school learning software.
As the welcoming speeches were being made, and not wanting to be left, women of other non-advenstist children came with money tied to long poles and within custom to show their appreciation and share their responsiblity in keeping the school.
Mr. Tato then proceeded onto to cut the ribbons to open the computer room.
The 10 brand new computers will be used by stduents in grades 7 and grades 8 eight and their teachers.
Kami SDA is being targeted in a provincial education version of the National Schools of Excellence concept in which more resources and bigger funding will turn the school into a district school of excellence.
Eastern Highlands has the Kabiufa Secondary in Goroka District and Aiyura National High school in Obura-Woninara Districts as national Schools of Excellence.

PRIME MINISTER OPENS 55TH GOROKA CULTURAL SHOW

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:36:00 +0000

The Prime Minister turned up and the people celebrated.
It was a show of colors and big numbers, more for the sheer participation and pride than perhaps to impress the Prime Minister. Only four years ago people of Gorokas put up a top notch welcome and reception for the then Australian PM Kevin Rudd when he dropped into town and walked the streets and rubbed shoulders with the ordinary.

This time, it was a awesome home coming for one of their own kind, Peter Oneill who grew up, and did some of his primary and high schooling in Goroka.

He represents Ialibu-Pangia in Parliament, but they wanted to recieve him as one of their own sons. Even over 20 women and girls from Pangia dressed up in PNG colors foemd the procession to welcome him. And, did so in style.

The PM was impressed and by pre-arranged notios or spur of the moment, he dished out 20.7 million kina to progress mobile clinic health services in Goroka District, five millin kina to his alma mater for their science Lab and new classrooms, five million kina to Goroka town services and facilities upgrading, and five million kina to reuild a new seating facility official stand around the sports stadium that doubles as the show grounds. And, not the least, a whooping K700,000 for the Goroka show comittee to put the 56th cultural show in 2012.

The PM mingled with the cowds, visited the agricultural displays and left by the Falcon Jet he zoomed into town in. He made a couple of promises, but one that will stick with the people for a while is "this is my first visit outside of my own electoarte and province" and I feel like I'm coming back home,....indeed goroka is my seocn home".

When Kevin Rudd visited, he left a name sake up in Lufa mountains who is now three years old.O'Niell already had several name sakes and is a god father of many more,but when he returned as PM, he captured the minds of the young generation to beleive in their leaders and to hold onto their cultural heritage.

BETTER RURAL BANKING FOR GOROKA PEOPLE

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:29:00 +0000

The Bank of Papua New Guinea has assisted set up a different banking system to help rural people cope with inflation. Deputy Bank of PNG Governor Ben Popotai says, inflation is going to hit hard if the Bank does not put in measures to cushion the impact of high commodities prices, and the careful handling of returns from the LNG gas and the loose election spending that has become the norm during the election period.

Mr. Popotai says this is the reason why he was in Goroka recently to launch the new Ultracs 3 Banking Information System to one of the leading Savings and Loans Societies, Alekano Savings and Loans Society.

Popotai cuts a flower
ribbon

Mr. Popotai says" in fact Alekano is the first rural based Savings and Loans company to introduce the ULTRACS 3 system".
The Ultracs 3 is really a banking information software. It's all based around information technology. Mr. Popitai explained the benefits of it in a lay-persons term for the members of Alekano.

Board Chairs and managing directors of Savings and Loans Societies and Micro-Finance Credit Schemes from all over PNG who attended the low profile event of such a nature, were impressed with the new computer based software and also Alekano's move to move it's main banking services and Facilities into town.
Popitai's remarks were centered around Alekano because it's, taken the lead to bring its services out from the Kefamo rural area to Goroka town. Alekano he implied is as a model.

He challenged the Alekano Savings and Loans Society to reach out to the village farmer in the remotest part of Eastern Highlands as well as open its banking services to the small people across in the Chimbu province.
"Rural financial schemes such as yours must be flexible and ready to expand its services to the people. I see a very good opportunity for Alekano to open out to more rural people and far across to even the neighbouring people of Chimbu who are closely related to Eastern Highlanders".

He issued a similar challenge to the Savings and Loans Societies and the Micro-finance Federation members to take in the new system, and open up their networking and services to their partners and clients alike. Be the bank for the small people because that is why you started and we will help you draw in more small people involved in many small businesses and and subsistence farming.

Popotai says the real challenge is after the system is taken on board. He said " will Alekano and other Savings and Loans Schemes be ready to draw in more customers, the little mothers and youth who are trying to make a living by doing very basic things. Give them the opportunity to develop a culture of saving the hard earned kina and in the long run they benefit and the Societies grow and have a bigger capacity and capital to help more".

The PNG Bank's Deputy Governor says banking and connectivity and interfacing of new systems on the ultracs 3 will make the work of the informal banks -- alot easier-- for the special or different for the client -- they are serving.

THE NAMORONG REPORT: RAMU MINE fails on water supply, amongst other thi...

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:50:00 +0000

MCC still dumping its human waste in the drinking waters of
Raicoast People.

THE NAMORONG REPORT: RAMU MINE fails on water supply, amongst other...:
Sunday Chronicle newspaper has reports that Ramu Nico Management (MCC) has delivered water supply worth over K100 000 to some people in the villagers...

WOMAN SEAT ON PROVINCIAL SPORTS AUTHORITY

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:46:00 +0000

Sports development is being structured into a total development package of it's own much like any other development Programs. And, for Eastern Highlands Sports is being incorporated into an entity of its own to open up more opportunities to the young people as well build and link other social and economic development packages into and out of it. Eastern Highlands Sports Adviser Vegu Zavono says sports in general already provides a big spin-off benefit to many people, government and business and community.

Vegu Zavono, Sports Adviser

Woman Rep on the new PSA Board

He says women seat on the sports Constitution and Development Structured is just one of many new initiatives to realize the full potential of Sports in enhancing total human development. Disabled Sports Persons position have been created on the Provincial Sports Authority -- the body that is going to administer the new entity and make new policies to government to progress sports development.

The new EH PSA Board

Jason Nap, the master mind

The Provincial sports Constitution is a result of a one year work of Australian Sports volunteer, Jason Napiwoscki. The sports constitution and the Aiuthority were launched recently. An election for the first PSA was also conducted at the National Sports Institute.

Jason Nap also laid down the basic rules of working the sports constitution. Three district women sports leaders put their names for the election. The four nominees were given time to speak for themselves before the election. One came from a church & youth background. Another was a sportswoman who won medals. Two were sports administrators.
Rebecca who won a gold medal at the last PNG Games for Eastern Highlands got the nod of the General Sports Assembly.

Kevin Poke, Director on the PSA Board

A rural development expert Kevin Poke was elected the Chairman of the EH SPA. Poke, a University of Goroka from Henganofi, developed the Henganofi schools five year development plan which was incorporated into the recently launched National Schools supplies Improvement Program or SLIP.

The election of the EH PSA Executive and the launching of the Constitution also sets off the planning and prepareation for team Eastern Highlands to the Rabaul PNG Games next year.

General EH Sports Assembly that elected the Board

Provincial Community Development and Sports Advisor, Vegu Zavono says creating guidelines to manage and properly run sports is a progress. He says sports has to become an entity of its own through its own Constitution and Board of control.

Zavono encouraged the new EH PSA to emulate the success of soccer because the provincial government is being advised to progress sports development with a Minister for Sports in the Provincial Assembly.

With the help of staff of the National Sports Institute, progress of sports development in Eastern Highlands has gone in leaps and bounds, culminating with the Constitution, the Authority and the business involvement and appreciation.

The successful Goroka Bintangor Lahanis Rugby League Franchise is the result of the growth of sports development under the Community Development Division.

Eastern Highlands came second in the last PNG games -- with nealry a half a million kina funding for more than 500 team eastern highlands sports people.

GOROKA YOUTH CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:57:00 +0000

Hundreds of young people gathered in Goroka on the 13th August, 2011 to celebrate the International Youth Day.
The youth mainly from settlements around Goroka and the churches were brought together by Mercy Works a faith-based community organisation.

Sister Maryanne Kolkia, consistent Organizer

Mercy Works took the event to make awareness on the theme, Sustainability, our Challenge.Various organizations also put up displays to give a new hope to the young people.
Sister Marryanne Kolkia, cordinates the Mercy works projects in Goroka. She has organized activities and events of the International youth days in the past. She decided that the 12th International Youth Day would be different. So she called all the organizations, working for, and with youth to offer their services, products and programs to the young people.

Arnold Paglau is President of Don Bosco youth. He's group had evolved from a church music ministry to registration and engaging in small worthwhile projects. Their suces in buying a full music -- a live band -- was an opportunity and a lesson for others.

The message Don Bosco youth had was -- emphasized by Sister Kolkia...she urged the young people to never give up, as the band instruments cost so much but the youth did not give up and bought it eventually.

The youth also performed drama on Hiv-Aids awareness.

More youth group leaders spoke on the need for determination and persistence to produce or get an outcome.

Mountain honey is a succesful small cottage indsutry. rice fariming, soap making,

Then -- Bucklery Kaupa, a leading founder of various by-products. Soap making, honey, rice and yam chips making are some of Kaupa's success stories. He has also traveled to Central and Madang provinces, and most parts of Highlands to train other young people to involve in self-help in traditional food crops and activities to make a living. He is renown producer of Nokorawa soap from honey by-products.

The probation services is an office started in Eastern Highlands and continues to supervise people put on probation. Recently it has taken ownership of young troube makers or juveniles.
Chief Probation officer, Peter Worovi encouraged young people to know that a office exists to help them.

Father Bodgan is a catholic priest who has acheibved some results in fitness and health with young catholic youth. He won a gold medal in the PNG Games in Port Moresby. His experience and encouragement was very good listening.

Fr Bodgan urged young people to stop sitting at the popular kakaruk maket, playing darts or smoking --but to get into physical sports activities to use their physical bodies to acheive a life.

The 12th International Youth day in Goroka was a three hour event.
It ended with an awareness on literacy, making and saving money and other skills training.

CANNED PNG COFFEE FOR JAPANESE MARKET

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:09:00 +0000

A leading importer and distributor of green bean coffee in Japan is working to develop a canned brand of PNG coffee for the Japanese market.
The Kanematsu Corporation Assistant Manager for Beverage Ingredients Section, Mr. Yajuro Takei visited the Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd head office in Goroka to present the proposal to the CIC, CEO Mr. Navi Anis and his staff recently.

The Kanematsu Corporation Assistant Manager for Beverages
Ingredients Section, Yajuro Takei (right) presenting his company’s
profile to CIC, CEO Navi Anis.

He was accompanied by Managing Director of Awute Coffee Ltd, Mr. Huke Awute and Operations Manager, Mr. David Rumba Rumba.
Mr. Takei said the Kanematsu Corporation has registered the name; “Tropical Mountain” as the trademark for the canned PNG coffee with the Japan Patient Office on 16th of January 2009 and is visiting PNG to seek CIC’s assistance in provision of quality assurance services and to secure a coffee supplier, preferably, a local PNG exporter operating in the Eastern and Western Highlands provinces.

He said the Japanese canned coffee market is led by two big brands; Emerald Mountain and Rainbow Mountain, processed using coffee from Colombia and Guatemala respectively, who are world market competitors of PNG.

Mr. Anis said the request by the Kanematsu Corporation is good and CIC is prepared to assist such projects as long as it will benefit the smallholder coffee growers in PNG and add value to smallholder farmers coffee income.

He said the PNG coffee industry has a competitive coffee market and in order for Kanematsu Corporation to get the required quality and volume of coffee from smallholders, it has to pay a slightly higher price than that offered in the market.

The Tropical Mountain brand is aiming to promote AAA grade of PNG coffee.

According to trade statistics data by Japan’s Ministry of Trade and Economy, PNG is ranked the 8th among other coffee suppliers to Japan and the project is expecting to raise PNG’s rank to the 6th position.

Story and picture by Augustine Dominic, CIC Public Relations/Media

VILLAGE COFFEE CUPPERS TRAINED

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:10:00 +0000

Navi Anis (centre) goes through the protocols of coffee
cupping with Specialist Cupper,
Jennifer for Five Senses and Rose Romalus from CIC.

Smallholder coffee farmers going through the
preliminary stages of the cupping process
which requires smelling the coffee in the cup.

The Australian Government was thanked for assisting smallholder coffee growers in PNG gain quality coffee training to improving their livelihood.
Chief Executive Officer of the Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd, Navi Anis expressed his gratitude during the coffee cupping training at the National Sporting Institute, in Goroka, last week.
“I acknowledge and thank the Australian Government and AusAid via the Agriculture Innovative Grant Scheme (AIGS) for funding a coffee quality project for the smallholder farmers to enter niche markets overseas", said Mr. Anis.

He said the plantation and block sectors are diminishing due to mismanagement, high cost of inputs, land tenure and other social problems. The focus is now on the smallholder farmers to drive the PNG coffee industry.
Mr. Anis said the majority of the PNG population are smallholder coffee growers in remote areas and the Australian Government’s investment in the project is significant to them as it will enable them to improve the quality of coffee at a consistent rate and enable them to continue to get higher income.
The quality training involved 14 communities in the three major coffee growing provinces of EHP, Simbu and WHP.
The participants have completed post harvest quality training earlier and did the protocols of cupping coffee recently.
The training was facilitated by representative from ‘Five Senses’, an Australian based private coffee company and endorsed by the Specialty Coffee Association of Australia and CIC.
Apart from the coffee quality project, the Australian Government and its agencies continue to assist the PNG coffee industry and CIC with its strategic plans, coffee curriculum development and improving livelihoods of coffee farmers, capacity building, overseas scholarships, among others.

COOPERATIVES - AGRI-BUSINESS SCHOOL TRAIN VILLAGE FARMERS

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:06:00 +0000

A group of coffee farmers in three provinces of the Highlands will now be able to put their coffee money to better use to improve their lives.

The 43 farmers, of whom, four females and seven elderly, have learnt new knowledge and skills to plan and spend their coffee income on improving living standards.

The week long agri-business training funded by the APO Coffee Co-operative at the Goroka Agri-Business college, four kms on the Highlands Highway,SE of Goroka.
For the 43 coffee farmers from Eastern Highlands, Chimbu and Ziwaka region of Western Highlands, growing and producing coffee had become a routine – much like their ancestors had grown kaukau and lived on it as their staple die for tens of thousands of years. Increasing mouths, and modern demands of school fees – left the coffee farmer with very little savings – and many were facing money problems year in year out.

Until, the coffee cooperatives, APO (EHP), ANGRA (CHIMBU) AND KANGE (WHP) recently registered under the Coffee Industry Corporation and mobilized the village farmers to join up in groups and learn new ideas to move from agriculture to business.

Brian Kuglame of APO co-operative organized the agri-business training with Director of the Goroka Agri-business school, 4-kms south-east of Goroka on the highlands highway.

Director of the Institute Steven Rere says the school has been giving real life skills training for village people to return to their land and and to wisely manage their income fro their land to take care of them.

Rere says, the 43 students will go back with different ideas to manage their lives and look after their families but participate and involve at a engaging way with the community.
He says agri-business training has instilled new skills to the farmers to care for their cash crop like coffee by putting to economical use their coffee income on worthwhile community projects.
Mr. Rere says Land is the biggest resource and the school pays special attention on sending farmers back to make the maximum use of their land.

A young farmer, HENSLY SEMTI say he was motivated by the idea of cooperatives but didn’t realize that he had to gain the right information through such a training to make his dreams come true.

MORU ANTS, a mother and councillor from Ziwaka, in Western Highlands, spoke on behalf of the four women and many other farmer women in the highlands She says she has gained so much from the week long training and eager to go back home and put to use what she gained …

And, then there was Papa Bruno Tineapla from Simbu, among the elderly men, who believed his life was not going to change because his mind was stuck with the old way of growing and producing coffee. He says he’s old and fading eyes have been opened wider and – he now beams with new hope to turn his coffee and land to better use.

John Edwards, a leading coffee exporter encouraged the farmers to continue to learn new skills to improve and produce good quality coffee, so that, the coffee continue to bring good money to them all.

CEO of CIC, Navi Anis did not let go of the opening by Edwards. He says the village grower is the key to coffee’s longevity.

Mr. Anis says the industry the market is unpredictable, despite a good run of coffee prices lately, and, giving farmers new skills and new energy to look after coffee and coffee can in turn look after the grower --- is a proven strategy—bringing about such farmer cooperation and mobilization.

Mr. Anis presented the 43 students certificates to show for their training -- and the new skills to use coffee money wisely to build a good house for the family, buy university or college fees for the children and a nice pair of shoe for the parents improved lifestyle.

GOROKA SHOW...better start and preparation for 2011 event

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:49:00 +0000

The Goroka Show Committee has been gaining new sponsors after presenting its 2010 Show Report and launching its 2011 Show sponsorship drive in July.
New corporate giants that have joined the popular show 'bandwagon' to market their image and products are Ramu Agri Industries, BSP and British American Tobacco.

The bamboo jews-harp pipes are already blowing. It signals the start of preparation toward the most popular and spectacular cultural event, Goroka Show. Bird of Paradise feathers and other bilas and body paints will be prepared for the biggest mass singsing on earth.

BSP has put K20,00o upfront. Traditional sponsors who committed cash at the launch are SP Brewery, Coca-kola Amatil and PNG-Japan Ltd the tour operator that brings in Japanese tourists to the show every year.

Chairman Gideon Samuel (left) receives a Ramu Rum from Ramu Agri Industries Production and Marketing Manager Morris Owens to start fund raising towards the September 16, 17 and 18th festival.

Ms. Akemi Mikata donates PNG-Japan's assistance

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee Gideon Samuel who is Air Niugini Goroka Manager reported the 2010 show raised K356,000. and spent K374,000. He thanked national Gaming Control Board, SP Brewery, Coca-Kola Amatil and Trans Wonderland and the Ministry of Environment and Conservation as major sponsors who contributed most of the K205,000 in sponsorship.

George Kuno for Goroka Business Chamber,
calls all Leaders to 'bilas' and lead culturally

Mr. Samuel told a meeting of the Committee that a K200,000 committed by Don Polye when he opened the 2010 Show as Deputy Prime Minister is very likely to be released to the show coffers this year after the change in government and Mr. Polye becoming Finance and Treasury Minister.
Goroka Chamber of Commerce Representative George Kuno, has lived in Goroka for 26 years, opened the sponsorship launch on behalf of President Terry Shelley and donated the Chamber contribution in a cheque.
Kuno says, every leader in politics, business and community must put on their bilas this show and lead the people to celebrate PNG's 38th birthday culturally.
He says, culture unites and embraces a lot of good progress and leaders must make it their business to participate and bring people together to celebrate.
Mr Kuno participated in the 1968 show as a young boy with his Simbu father who was a plantation worker in Goroka and has fond memories of the early Goroka shows where whites, blacks, rich and village people mingled and had the best time of their lives.
"It can happen again, in fact in this show, lets all put on our traditional costumes and dance and have a big feast after to remember many things".
SP Brewery's Stan Joyce has written to the Goroka Show Organizing Committee congratulating members for a well run 2010 event. He also committed SP Brewery's continued support for 2011 show.
Ramu Agri Industries has donated a sugar by-product, a bottle of Ramu Rum to the Committee to auction and raise more money. Ramu Agri Ltd also committed 25,000 sachets of sugar for the singsing groups.
Lae Biscuit company has committed boxes of biscuits for the singsing groups.
Coffee Industry Corporation's CEO, Navi Anis committed the CIC to meeting its 'traditional obligation' as the Goroak Show and Coffee have had a long and historic association since the first show was staged in 1957.
PNG-Japan Ltd, again put up front K5,000 to the committee and manager Akemi Mikata, who is also a show Committee member assured that more tourists are ready to travel to this year's three day show on the 16, 17, and 18 September. 800 tourists visited last year and up to a thousand are expected this year.
The show committee expects to raise about K400,000 to stage this years show.
The Committee has also endorsed the same gate fees, and other show activity and event fees and plans to bring in up to 80 singsing and cultural groups of diverse and unique customs to participate at the show.
This years show theme is 'Unity' and the PNG national day events for its 38th anniversary will also be catered for by the show Committee in its three days.

TEACHERS LEARN SOAP MAKING TO ACCELERATE GIRLS EDUCATION

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 03:20:00 +0000

A large number of teachers from schools in Eastern Highlands met in Goroka during the school holidays for a special community based advocacy program.

One of the group of 30 teachers after the graduation

The 60-teachers were brought in under UNICEF's Child Friendly Schools (CFS) and the Accelerating Girls Education (AGE) concepts for a week long training on practical lessons in inland fish farming and soap making.
Among them were some students from University of Goroka.
Provincial Education adviser Conrad Esoke told the teachers as agents of change... their imagination and innovative skills is crucial to passing new knowledge to the children and the community.

Esoke encourages the agents of change

The 60 students were given their certificates by the Eastern Highlands education advisor Conrad Esoke.
UNICEF's Highlands Region's Officer in Charge David Glama says the teachers gained new knowldege and practical life-skills to give priority to girls education.
Glama says, the week-long training was successful as it again emphasized the importance of ongoing advocay and awareness campaigns to bring about concrete changes to lives of children, especially girls.
He says the training of teachers gives momentum to UNICEF's and Education department and the various community partners robust acheivements and sustainable gains in educating girls.
Mr. Glama says the 60-teachers are better equiped to enforce child-centred quality education to prepaer a child to help every child be able to face every challenges in life.
Some fo the new skills they learnt are fish farming, soap making, and reading &amp;amp;amp;amp; understanding rights of a child for protection from abuse and violence.
Mr. Glama says the CFS concept is also concerned about the child's environment and their rights.
He says teachers as duty bearers must be fully versed with their obligation to teach and prepare a child to learn and apply respect and goodness and decency in their lives.
Moses Miburu of the provincial Aids Council says teachers play a key role in taking the hiv-aids awareness &amp;amp;amp;amp; education forward for children.

UNICEF's David Glama says he is confident the students will now better to manourver in their classrooms and community andthey bring change to children.

Bellow are excerpts of some of the speeches...

Education is vital to ensuring a better quality of life for all children and a better world for all people. But if girls are left behind, those goals can never be achieved.
Educating girls yields spectacular social benefits for the current generation and those to come but many villagers in Papua New Guinea which comprise 70 percent of the total population are not convinced about this. Some of the benefits of an educated girl are; girls tend to marry later and have fewer children. The children she does have will be more likely to survive; they will be better nourished and better educated. She will be more productive at home and better paid in the workplace. She will be better able to protect herself against HIV/AIDS and to assume a more active role in social, economic and political decision-making throughout her life.
In realizing this need UNICEF in partnership with Governments and civil society, has launched the Girls’ Education Campaign to accelerate its ongoing efforts towards the world’s commitment of educating every child. Most times girls, particularly in our villages and settlements are denied the right to educational opportunities due to cultural, social, economic and other factors. Thus, the campaign in Papua New Guinea focuses on getting most of the school-age girls into school and retaining them until they complete their primary education.
The Accelerating Girls’ Education (AGE) and the Child Friendly School are initiatives from the National Department of Education and supported by UNICEF is a step forward aimed at getting more girls into school, ensure that they stay in school and that they are equipped with the basic tools they need to succeed in later life. The AGE program is part of the Government’s on-going efforts to ensure every girl and boy exercise his/her right to an education and promote gender parity, a major concern in Papua New Guinea.
Advocacy and awareness campaigns through various media outlets, trainings and through our partners, particularly faith based organizations, community-based education advocates is proving successful. One such week-long training was conducted in Goroka last week funded by UNICEF for teachers in Eastern Highlands Province. These teachers are equipped with new knowledge and life-long skills to bring about concrete changes in the lives of children whom they come into contact with in their daily lives.

Conrad Esoke, gave certificates

During the graduation on the 22nd of August at Numutoka Lodge, about 4 kms West of Goroka, the Officer in Charge of UNICEF in the highlands region Mr. David Glama said that with girls’ education as one of its priorities, UNICEF is working with the National Department of Education, other government entities, the churches and a range of other partners to achieve robust and sustainable gains in gender parity in primary education in the country. He further said that by this the benefits of education will be passed from one generation to the next, the futures of those that follow will be much brighter too and in the end benefit the country as a whole. Mr. David Glama also said that the Child Friendly School concept is an holistic rights-based approach to education which is based on internationally agreed human rights standards and promotes those standards in society. Mr. David Glama stressed that the Child Friendly School concept ensures that all children receive good quality basic education. He said that quality education is child-centred, prepares children for the challenges they face in life and helps every child reach his or her full potential. Quality education is not only concerned about learning, but also about the child’s health, nutritional status, well-being, safety and protection from abuse and violence. Mr. Glama said that CFS is also concerned about the child’s environment and about what happens to children before they enter school and after they leave it. Rights-based education recognizes children as subjects of rights (right holders). The State and other ‘duty bearers’ (e.g. parents, teachers) have obligations to fulfill these rights. As right holders, children, parents and teachers (and others) are entitled to demand that the State meets its obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the right to education of all children.

EHP Education Advisor Conrad Esoke

The Provincial Advisor for Education Mr. Conrad Esoke emphasized the point that the child friendly school concept is part of the current education system in the country and its concepts and practices are absorbed into the School Learning Improvement Program (SLIP). Mr. Esoke told the course participants to embrace the CFS concepts and include it in their School Learning Improvement Plans and employ the rights-based approach in their teaching and other curricula programs.

Some of the 60 teachers

Many of us in Papua New Guinea look at a school as a place for serious learning but rarely as a place for one to enjoy learning activities and have a say in what one needs and want to learn. It is seldom seen as a place where children, teachers, parents and the community actively work together to ensure that children realize their rights. These rights include the rights to be educated, to be healthy, to be given opportunities for play and leisure, to be protected from harm and abuse, to express their views freely, and to participate in decision-making according to the evolving capacities. A school that recognizes and respects children’s rights in the school, and helps ensure such an environment in the community and households, is child-friendly.

A child friendly school provides children with quality education, an environment that is fun, healthy and engaging – a place where they can play, be protected from harm, freely express their views and actively participate in the learning process.

Many countries acknowledge that the improvement of life and the development of a country is dependent on an educated populace.

Papua New Guinea is no different. To move forward, we must invest time, knowledge and resources in the talents, skills, creativity and the will of our people, the most important resource of this nation. No country has developed without children receiving a basic education.

So let us begin with our younger generation. As duty bearers (parents, community leaders, churches, NGOs, the Government, business community and others) we need to work together to make our schools child friendly so that more children can access a quality basic education and complete school. We are all obliged to help children to access their rights. For us all, school is an easy and effective place to start.

PARLIAMENT VOTES IN NEW PRIME MINISTER

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:06:00 +0000

Peter O'Neill, voted in as Prime Minister
Tuesday 2 August 2011

Papua New Guinea has new Prime Minister in Peter O'Niell. Parliament voted 70 for Mr. O'Niell and 24 against. Opposition Leader Belden Namah nominated Mr. O'Niell and member for Mt. Hagen, William Duma seconded. The change in the Prime Ministership follows the announcement by the Speaker Geoffrey Nape in Parliament this afternoon that the position of the Prime Minister was vacant.

O'Niel, has a Care taker Cabinet with Don Polye

Sam Abal Reacts...goes to court to stop O'Niel
There is confusion over the action of Parliament in the election of Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister. Outgoing acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal, described Parliament's action as illegal and blamed the Speaker for hijacking the process. Mr Abal is seeking validity of the election, through the Court...

Amet, cries constitutional foul...makes court reference
The Supreme Court in Waigani has thrown out a reference questioning Parliament's election of Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister on Tuesday. A three-men Supreme court explained there is now a new government and Sir Arnold Amet does not have the standing as Attorney General to bring that special reference before the court. The court room was packed to capacity mostly by former acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, his former Ministers and supporters of his ousted government. The ousted government still has another matter before the national court which will be heard tomorrow (Friday). Mr. Abal seeks to stop Peter O'Neill perform as Prime Minister.

Thursday, August 04, 2011 The National

Gillard congratulates O’Neill

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard has become the first world leader to congratulate Peter O'Neill on his appointment as PNG's new prime minister, The National reports.

Nonggorr: Both regimes at fault

Source:

The National - Friday, August 5th 2011

THE actions of both the in-coming government and the out-going one are in breach of the Constitution, a leading constitutional lawyer said yesterday.

Gillard telephoned O'Neill in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon and in a brief conversation said Canberra looked forward to working closely with the new government under O'Neill's leadership.

Both leaders stressed the importance of continuing the strong relations that existed between their two countries.

Under O'Neill, Canberra is likely to focus its annual aid programmes and budget support on rural and district development, something the new prime minister championed in the previous Somare-led coalition called the District Support Improvement Programme.

He assured Gillard that his government would ensure that PNG's economic growth remained on track and that the 2011 Budget, which he framed when he was treasurer, achieved its targets.

As a cabinet minister in the previous Somare government, O'Neill had led discussions with Canberra on the direction of Australian aid, the LNG project, and the development of sovereign wealth funds to capture revenue from the PNG LNG project.

O'Neill is expected to use his experience and close working relationship with Canberra to ensure the Australian support of PNG's development programmes benefit the district and rural areas directly.

"Prime Minister O'Neill assured Gillard that the PNG economic growth remained on track, and that the 2011 budget, which O'Neill framed as treasurer, would achieve its targets," a statement issued by the prime minister's office said.

Australia had provided aid annually to PNG since independence, and Canberra has always enjoyed a close working relationship with all governments of PNG

Nonggorr: Both regimes at fault

Source:

The National - Friday, August 5th 2011

THE actions of both the in-coming government and the out-going one are in breach of the Constitution, a leading constitutional lawyer said yesterday.
Prof John Nonggorr blamed this on the “unbridled greed of politicians” acting in their own interest rather than that of the people and the country.
He described Tuesday’s election of a new prime minister as a “sad day in our history”.
Nonggorr said: “We, today, have an illegitimate government. The purported election is unconstitutional.
“Sir Michael Somare remains the prime minister.
“In his absence, due to ill-health, Sam Abal is the acting prime minister. The office of prime minister is not vacant by operation of the Constitution.
“How can parliament elect a prime minister when there is no vacancy?
“While Sir Michael has not resigned and parliament has not voted, on the advice of two doctors coming through the governor-general, to remove Sir Michael, this purported election cannot be based on a vacancy in the office of prime minister,” Nonggorr said.
“There has not been a vote of no-confidence, which will require at least seven days’ notice and other procedures to be followed. Indeed, the period for a vote of no-confidence ought to be properly brought against a government to remove a prime minister, and for a new prime minister to be elected, expires on Aug 5 – today.
“What the members of parliament have done is a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
“Has the parliament now become so disgraceful that no one follows any rules and shows decency anymore?
“The speaker has let the country down for a very long time. This is the final straw.”
Nonggorr also attacked the immediate past government headed by Abal.
“The government that Abal was leading acted unconstitutionally as well. If that government was following the law, especially the Constitution, two doctors should have been appointed as soon as it was known that Sir Michael was undergoing heart surgery.
“That is what the law expects. Instead, the government has been pussy-footing around for more than three months.
“If the law was followed, parliament should have voted to stand down Sir Michael already.
“But, two wrongs do not make a right. The opposition cannot do what is unconstitutional – they are as bad and disgraceful as the people they are attempting to get rid of.”
Nonggorr said the entire process of engaging Dr Isi Kevau to provide a medical report was not stipulated in law and was a “complete waste of time”.
“All these MPs should be ashamed of themselves. They are doing this for control of the money that is coming into the country before the elections. They want to control it, use it, abuse it, corrupt it. It is all about themselves. And, who suffers? PNG.
“For those observers outside of PNG, there are many decent, hard-working, law-abiding and intelligent Papua New Guineans who detest these types of behaviour displayed by so-called members of parliament.
“These MPs do not represent decent Papua New Guineans and we are all ashamed of their behaviour and angry about the way they are playing their dirty games while the majority of our people are suffering.”
Nonggorr is the second senior lawyer this week to condemn Tuesday’s election in parliament as unconstitutional.
Peter Donigi expressed similar sentiments on Tuesday.

TOWN IS NOT CLEAN AS POPULAR SHOW LOOMS

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 06:40:00 +0000

The two stories were published in the THE NATIONAL newspaper Monday, August 1, 2011 Edition.
During that day, REDIO AUSTRELIA Paulus Kombo rang to talk to Mayor (Deputy Governor) Koni Sari & Governor Mal Smith. He couldn't & called BerlLinks News Blog & did an interview.The newspaper stories are being posted as a 'true picture' and story of affairs of Goroka town, bearing in mind that, hopefully it, will get Authorities to 'take practical actions' to clean up and improve the town services and the lawlessness that is just not normal for Goroka. There are genuine attempts & efforts by Alekano Landowners, BSP, Goroka show Committee & many others, including the Goroka Business Chamber) but the provincial government & Goroka Urban LLG are funded and exist for the very purpose for developing, cleaning and maintaining services in a modern town. House hold Rubbish from residents have not been picked up for two weeks. Town sewer has collapsed & K8 million is still sitting in a trust account waiting a re-building, and, water supply has not been flowing as usual.The Town Manager has been replaced.

This is a nicely kept and a beautifully natural part of Goroka town,
the pictures of rubbish piling up unpicked are in the West shopping centre
and other suburbs of Goroka town

GOROKA FULL OF RUBBISH
Posted:Monday 1, August 2011 09:01 PM PDT/The National

This is the headline that greeted many who bought a National newspaper, Monday 1, August 2011
There was even a picture of a big pig feasting on a huge pile of rubbish, in the Malum Nalu story, though the picture was taken by photographer David Rumba Rumba of a rubbish pile at the main market. There is also a new rubbish pit right on the highway at the end of the West shopping centre from Lae way, started by the residents whose rubbish has piled up for many days now.

Captions: A pig feasting on rubbish right along the Highlands Highway in the centre of Goroka, opposite the airport. Picture by DAVID RUMBA RUMBA (photo not available). the photo of this pile of rubbish was taken during the Goroka Clean-up Day during the World Environment Day. Such piling up in many parts of Goroka & when the David Rumba photo was taken.

By MALUM NALU

With just over a month to go before the world-famous Goroka Show, the town is stinking with piles of uncollected rubbish everywhere, which are feasted upon by pigs in full view of everyone.

Goroka resident David Rumba Rumba has called on Eastern Highlands Governor Malcolm Smith Kela, Goroka MP Thompson Harokaqve, lord mayor, town manager, and provincial and district administrators to urgently attend to this if the town is to save face.

Another source told me that rubbish drums set up around town by major Goroka Show sponsor Bank South Pacific – whose staff are involved in cleaning the town every Friday – have been removed.

"The sight is very distasteful and abhorrent," a concerned Rumba Rumba said.

" Rubbish everywhere, not just anywhere, right in the middle of town, opposite Bird of Paradise Hotel, next to the airport, the post office, the busy shopping fronts at popular West Goroka, vegetable market and highway bus stops.

"The whole of Goroka stinks!

"Rubbish heaps all around waiting for ever to be collected and disposed of.

"Even pigs are free to roam and feast on the rubbish!"

Rumba Rumba said there was virtually no attempt by the Goroka Urban Town Authority, provincial government and district office to fix up the mess the town was sliding into.

He predicted that tourists and visitors to Goroka would be shocked by the sight of the filthy town next month.

"What are we trying to showcase?" Rumba Ruma wondered.

"Our rich traditional cultures mixed with our unhealthy and filthy way of life which is very evident with the current state of Goroka town?

"The challenge is now on the Governor, Member for Goroka, Town mayor, town manager and provincial and district administrators to act quickly to fix up the mess and start beautifying the town.

"They must come along with dump trucks to clean up the town, including the drains, and dispose of the stinking rubbish properly.

"After a major clean up, they must enforce litter laws and start punishing law breakers.

"This is the way to go.

"There should be no excuses whatsoever.

"If steps are not taken to rectify this unhygienic and hazardous problem, then the citizens of Goroka should be seriously thinking of instituting class action against the authorities for neglect of duty, thereby endangering the lives and health of its people and putting residents' lives at great risk."

BSP GIVES K20, 000 TO GOROKA SHOW
Posted: August 1, 2011 10:50 PM PDT/The National

By MALUM NALU
Bank of South Pacific has given K20, 000 to the Goroka Show organising committee to help stage the 2011 show on September 16, 17 and 18.
The bank's Goroka branch manager Reuben Elijah presented the money to show organising committee chairman Gideon Samuel.

Caption: BSP Goroka branch manager Reuben Elijah (right) presents the K20, 000 to Goroka Show organising committee chairman Gideon Samuel.-Picture courtesy of GOROKA SHOW ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Samuel said he was really grateful to the BSP management for coming on board to sponsor this year's show.
"Your sponsorship demonstrates your commitment to promote our culture, which is fast phasing out," he said.
Samuel further acknowledged BSP's green campaign which "is very vital in reinforcing positive values in the community".
He said BSP contributed in a big way towards civic pride in Goroka through the weekly cleanathon conducted by Elijah and his staff, and donation of empty drums to the Goroka Area Authority last year.
Samuel appeal to the people of Eastern Highlands to take ownership of Goroka and do their bit to keep the town clean.
He said Goroka would be chock-a-block with visitors next month for the show.
"We have got to portray a positive image by doing our bit to keep the town clean," Samuel said.
Elijah said BSP was happy to assist such community events such as Goroka Show.

Eastern Highlands Women get into serious business

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 04:39:00 +0000

Women in Eastern Highlands have had enough of playing second fiddle in the gardens and the house. They want to break out and compete in serious business. Some of the leading ones Jennifer Mondia, Grace Kaupa and Linda Voyorite have taken the lead in bringing the rest together. They have just registered the Eastern Highlands Women Cooperative Association. Among them is Rita Kare, the lady who left her job at provincial government to start a business in hospitality and has never looked back. Grace Kaupa owns, and manages the GK Klos, GK Haus-Kai and other businesses in Goroka and Mt Hagen.

More then 200 hundred small business women attended for the launching of their cooperative society in Goroka at the National Sports Institute in late June this year.

The cooperative chair woman Jennifer U Mondia said for "so many years women have struggled hard to organize women in business" to take part to form cooperative society to have ownership of it to get in to business.

She said after the hard work, to launch an initiate for a new cooperatives is a success and a milestone for women of Eastern Highlands. They now have a vehicle to take part in part to get into their own business, rather then doing work for their male partners.

“We have started to establish this cooperative society after attending the Papua New Guinea women in business expo in Lae 2010,”she said.
"We mean business and enough of working for others because the cooperative is here to help you trained to be the successful business women in the country.
“Therefore, in order for us to prosper we must have gender equality to all males and females to face the realty of life because selfishness with the business never expends any way,” she said.

She appeals to the women to join cooperatives with the required registration fee of K1, 200 to get things off the ground and start working to empower them in their businesses.
The business women Grace Kaupa who own businesses in Goroka and Mt Hagen gave inspiration speech to the women in whatever businesses that now they have and be part of the cooperative society Inc to learn, observe and participate in starting, improving or managing their business.

She said nothing is impossible to do in business when women put God in front.
The Commerce and Trade Industry Cooperative society Director Hendry Foieke thanked the women cooperative society and presented K1,000 in cash as a bonus for the start upo phase.

KALEIDOSCOPE OF FOUR SQUARE WOMEN

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:50:00 +0000

It was one of those events that brings new life and energy or re-ignites new purposes and adds value to our personal sacrifices. So when thousands of women from the Four Square church gathered for a week to celebrate their 36 anniversary of Women Ministry, first up there was a positive atmosphere of fun, laughter, singing, dancing and many different colors.
The kaleidoscope of dresses, flags, by province and regions turned Goroka into a sea of different colors during the Jesus March through town and later at the main gathering at the National Sports Institute. Even the Goroka weather, which was feeling the effects of a really cold evenings with rain, paused for a week brief, and allowed the church women to meet in bright sun light. During the week, the evenings were cool but without rain as the women put their faith to the test and prayed for God to hold the elements at peace as the women conducted their business with God in the center.

Reverend Dr. Jerry Stort, and wife Julie, heads of the Four Square Asia-Pacific Region based in Jakarta, Indonesia visited the women and were guests at the opening and during the night studies.

UoG's QUALITY ...Hall of Residence

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 04:47:00 +0000

A week long feasting for this K32 m female Hall of Residence, with three cows and several pigs and tons of garden food, exchanged, 'mumued' and eaten culminating with a special dinner at Goroka town's Bird of Paradise hotel on the eve of the memorable event, at the Humilaveka plateau reached its climax Friday 9 July, when the acting prime minister arrived.
Sam Abal formally declared the six-floor apartment-type female hall of residence open, as the Chinese Ambassador observed with over a thousand people.
The opening of this 'magnificent building' was disrupted by rain. That did not dampen Sam Abal's mood. He praised the Vice Chancellor Gairo Onagi and his Management Team and the Builder for giving PNG a state-of-the art "quality building" and a bench mark for other Universities, institutions and government in its infrastructure buildings. This he said will add value to PNG assets value and give the next generation a better appreciation and use of state buildings, roads and health facilities. Mr. Abal demanded responsibility from those who are engaged or funded by the state to build new infrastructure.

Goroka sky-line will never be the same

The heavies arrive for the occasion, from right;
Chancellor, Acting Prime Minister, Chinese Ambassador
& Vice Chancellor

Mr. Abal & Ambassador Qiu pull the plaque

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal wants quality as the bench mark for new infrustructure and capital works projects built for our country. He called for nothing but the best for PNG.
Mr. Abal says he will demand that the best of anything built to add value to PNG's future assets.
He says, he will not accept shoddy workmenship, incomplete projects and small basics buildings from now on because PNG has enough wealth to build the best to last even for the next generation.
Mr. Abal said this when he opened the University of Goroka's 32 million-kina female hall of residence.
He thanked the University administration and those who have contributed to using the government funding to the best use. And, for thicking him off to demand the best.
And, assured the university that their bench-mark building will impress favorably on government to keep helping them. In the same tone, the acting prime minister warned those who have dealt in shoddy deals and use government funding on poor quality works to know that the standards have been lifted higher than the past.
Mr. Abal says he's demanding the best in new roads, school buildings and health facilities because the government has set up a soverign wealth fund, to hold surplus money from LNG and other major project to built the best things.
He says when the best is built for the next generation in mind, God will open his hands on the people.
The acting later commanded the Chinese backhoe operator to 'break ground' as heavy rain hit the plateau.

Even, the Chinese Ambassador Qiu Bohua, was so impressed, he committed K20,000 out of his "own pockets to the students as a bonus" for them to occupy the new hall of residence and appreciate Chinese support and aid.
Mr. Qui says the future growth of UoG is firmly held in the 108 million kina singed betwen the government of China and PNG -- that UoG is not only the fastest growing university in the south pacific, but Melanesia's best and leading institution. The money will see two seven floor male students 'apartments' or "hotels" built by the Chinese in the next two years.
370 female students will start occupying the six-floors, will move up and down on lifts, have access to a internet cafe, computers, IT & internet connectivity & TV screens all within the building the Vice Chancellor Gairo Onagi called "students hotel built with government funding" by the Chinese Guadong Construction company. The same builder of University of Natural Resources & Environment (Vudal) students dorm, and the PNG Unitech (Lae) office complex.

MARAWAKA...a Healthy village model

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:18:00 +0000

Many mothers in the remote district of Marwaka in Eastern highlands are gaining benefits from a other public private partnership that has been launched to improve village health.
Government, NGO and community officials met in Andakombi area of Obura-Woninara district recently for the opening of the community resource center.
The Andakombi resource center -- funded by Care PNG and jointly supported by the Eastern Highlands Division of Health, AusAid & European Union has been changing healthy environment and health status up in the remote area.

The huge Community Resource Center in Marawaka

Hand paved streets & steps

Some of the infamous Marawaka women in their
normal attire 'singsing' on hand-carved roads.

some of the village birth assistants
& village health workers in uniform

Over, 3000 people already have a 100 percent 'open defecation free' environment as the Integrated Community Development Program (ICDP) progresses as a model for the much acclaimed healthy Island (village) concept.
It was a major project launching... a twin-otter aircraft was hired to fly the officials to the remote Marawaka airstrip for the dual launch.
Country Director Care PNG,Peter Raynes and Eastern Highlands Health Adviser Ben Haili and provincial Governor's Rep, Andrew Korarome were among provincial politicians, health & community development officials, and other NGO representatives. National leaders, Dame Carol Kidu and provincial governor Mal Kela Smith could not make it to the once in a life-time ceremony for Marwaka people, it did not dumpen the opening of the projects by senior officials and NGO partner reps.

The members of the visiting party were divided into two groups on arrival and given a guided tour of various health, agriculture, law and justice, goevrnnace, literacy, youth & women empowerment project within the integrated community development program.

Care PNG Director Peter Ryan on his first visit to Marwaka, spoke on behalf of the donor partners after the bush visits. He spoke about three programs... community unity, partnership, and leadership...and noted the harmony among men and women based groups for better life was a eye-opener for those who live in areas closer to government services and modern day infrastructure, like good roads, power and water supply. Raynes was so excited about the huge change, in the mindset of people & physical activities taking place way up in the bush.

"Open defecation, means that nearly all the (3,000-plus) people are not using the bush or the environment to dispose their bodily waste. There are no pigs roaming the village or environment"

The difference about the Andakombi health promoting village and resource centre is that, after the visits, the NGO & government officials report that there is no pigs roaming free, there's a successful pit-toilets project that means health prevention is advancing.

Andakombi community repreentative John David thanked his people in front of the visitors for making that once in a lifetime visit noticed and appreciated by the 'big people' from outside of their bush with a difference.
He says law andorder problems, many deaths among mothers and children have been reduced markedly. David says, CARE-PNG has brought major improvement to lifestyles of people, that, the government would not have brought in, even after many years.

The unveiling of the resoruce centre is like the final touch to an ongoing program that is evolving in bringing new partners on board...to put into the remotest eastern highlands people, numbering over thgree-thousand to have a better chance in life.

They may not be watching television, on getting on a vehcile to drive down to Kainantu, across to Okapa and all the way to Goroka , but, the fish ponds, the pit toilets, the sewing machines, and, the saw-mill ---some first modern technology for there is already working wonders and improving the health and living standards of Marawaka people.
Another community leader Malachi Tai supported the change.

The Marwaka people expressed that apart from the various community development projects to improve their life standards, they are already building roads from one village to another using spades and bush-knives. They say it is a self start to their hope for a road to be built into their home.

Health advisor Ben Haili & Peter Raynes did the joint honors of unveilling the bill board to show for the health promoting and change taking place.

As it was an oppotunrity, provincial community development officer, Vegu Zavono also presented sports equipment and balls. Other visiting officials gave out certificates to men and women who were trained as village health volunteers and mothershood skills trainers.

The people also showered the visitorswith gifts -- the the 10-thosuandkina charter flew out just in time as the cloud cover clsoed marwaka once again into a remote area.

University of Goroka...mobile 'lure' to up-skill remote school female teachers

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:45:00 +0000

UoG staff silently observing the set-up

VC, Gairo Onagi bit worried at the cost that may arise

Digicel software man setting up

Digicel & VC of UoG sign the final mobile network agreement

Women teachers in remote schools are being encouraged to enroll in the University of Goroka Distance and Flexible course to upgrade their teaching qualification without leaving their classrooms and families. Dean of UoG's, School of Distance and Flexible Learning Paul Koro says, a good number of female teachers are now into their second semester of studies.

Dr. Koro says, the DFL School is now continuing to develop its strategies as priorities arise to deliver the courses differently, faster and effectively with the students. Dr. Koro says women teachers who are mothers, teaching in remote schools have been been left out for many years. He says, UoG's Distance & Flexible mode offers the female teachers, the best opportunity to progress in their careers. Dr. Koro says various agreements to enable capacity of the program have been signed with various stakeholders in the education sector and course guides and books of readings, are constantly being written and simplified for easy application to students, who will mostly be mothers raising a family and studying over a hurricane lamp out in the bush. The course delivery is so important, UoG-DFL & Digicel mobile network have just signed an agreement and launched a wireless online network for many reasons, above all - warm human touch with the teachers.

The Vice Chancellor and his senior staff were gathered in the small control room with some DFL students and and were awe struck by the connections of a students Digicel phone to a computer for bulk SMS on the new network. at a launch of the agreement later, Dr. Onagi said, " government has challenged us to produce more teachers, and, UoG has taken the challenge and put into motion it's DFL program, and, agreement with Digicel..."I believe UoG is the only university in PNG to go this course and length in reciprocating to the government its' teacher training program".

Dr. Koro says, the UoG school of distance & flexible learning is now going through the finer points of signing another agreement with the NBC for the first course already being offered - bachelor of education in school management, to be carried by the NBC provincial radio network to students.

CHAMPION BINTANGOR LAHANIS...Digicel cup half million kina campaign

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:16:00 +0000

PNG's national rugby league champions, Bintangor Goroka Lahanis have launched a half a million kina campaign in sponsorship money to defend their title and set a very solid foundation for the 2011 Digicel Cup.

Bintangor Lahanis Franchise owner Simon Sia hands over
dummy cheque of K350,00 to Lahanis Board members

from left: Simon Sia & minor sponsor Terry Shelley
of Noweck Coffee

Mal Smith hands donation to
EH School Boys President Ellyson Ketauwo

Simon Sia spots a tackle for Mal Kela Smith

The Lahanis Franchise Board announced the K350,000 'hard cash' sponsorship at the round 2 weekend match at the National Sports Institute grounds during the grandfinal replay match between the Lahanis and Mendi Muruks.

The Lahanis sponsorship, Junior development & player incentives.

The Bintangor Trading Group, has put up 250-thousand kina and the provincial government 150-thousand kina and other minor sponsors and individuals have chipped in with the balance top reach the 500-thousand kina sponsorship.Bintangor Lahanis franchise has also paid up front registration fees of K100,000 with the PNGNRL for the Lahanis to participate in the 2011 Digicel Cup competition.Terry Shelly of Noweck Coffee chipped in with a K56,000 sponsorship as the biggest minor sponsor.Twenty minor sponsors and individuals have put together K10,000 for a payment of K700.00 every home match for the Best & Fairest Player. A forward and a back are picked out each weekend to share the man of the match award.
The provincial government has also chipped in to develop the Junior and School Boys League with a K30,000 donation.

And, there after the Lahanis have gone on to notch up five straight home game wins, rd 1: Lahanis 22 Rabaul Gurias 6, rd 2: Lahanis 38 Muruks 20, Rd 3: Lahanis 22 Mt Hagen Eagles 4, Rd 4: Lahanis 29 Simbu Warriors 20, Rd 5: Lahanis 18 Enga Mioks 20, Rd 6: Lahanis 34 Gulf Isapeas 21 & Rd 7: Lahanis 36 Lae Snax Tigers 6

Boom young center, Thompson Tete, who trained with the Kumuls squad for the Four Nations matches in Australia last year, has been a standout player, making more line breaks leading to six tries and five assisted tries, two Man of the Match awards.
Boom young forward Gonzella Urakusie has also played every match so far and has a high work rate compared to established props, Tony Dai and Wesley Mohukule.

The Lahanis franchise has a Lahanis development concept, where sponsor Bintangor has assisted smaller rural leagues in the districts to mange their competitions and for players to be selected to enter the selection trials before each inter-city cup season.

Lahanis captain and lone Kumul, Glen Nami, Tete, full back Adex Wera, utility reserve Ishmael Awute and five-eight Casey Frank are all products of junior or School boys league.

Latest report as the Lahanis notch up wins and keep the momentum to defend the title, is that Stanley Gene, a original Lahani and Kumul coach has settled back in Goroka and is working closely with the Lahanis franchise to push the players development concept with hints for a Sports Academy.

And, two homeless teams, Gulf Isapeas and Hella Wigmen are looking at the possibility of making Goroka their home ground. Cleaning of the Danny Leahy rugby League field has begun in earnest for the two teams to 'check it out' and decide after their first games against Lahanis.

The Lahanis have turned the National Sports Institute grounds into their permanent home ground and call it, the 'NSI fortress'.

GOROKA ALEKANOS...customary landowners forum for change

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:08:00 +0000

Michael Gotaha, (in black shirt, middle)
prominent Alekano businessman,
son of late Harry Gotaha, a pioneer who started
what is now Pacific Helicopters from humble beginnings

Some of the Alekano business people, professionals
& leaders of the Alekano customary landowners forum

from left, Joshua Soso, Henol Omenefa &
Peter Hoyato, the three who pushed the start of
the Alekano 'asples forum' at Kama village.

Customary landowners within & around Goroka town are getting together. They are raising their voice on the state of affairs on their doorsteps. They feel they have observed silently long enough and this has caused them a lot of pain and suffering. They want to change how the town develops, what it should do to help the customary landowners gain equal benefits and who to put into office to influence change.
Businesspeople, prominent professionals and village elders met at Kama village recently to raised a common voice for authorities to take note and find answers to pressing issues affecting their progress within a modern town.

The Alekanos speak the same language and live in eight or nine villages villages surrounding Goroka town. They organized the Goroka forum because they say they are being pushed out, andwill soon become destitute on their own land. They grieve that not much benefit is coming to them while the major development projects high rise buildings at University of Goroka, the re-building of Goroka Hospital into a campus of the Medical Faculty of UPNG and other investors and investments move in to settle on new land, or start new growth areas. The Alekanos have yet to be paid their multi-million kina land compensation claim, awarded by the National Lands Titles Commission in 2000, for the entire Goroka town Land.

Homenefa, "we must speak out"

Henol Omenefa, was a recent former provincial administrator he laid out the concerns of his people. He says from physical harassment of their women and children by settlers, to Goroka town becoming filled with rubbish and filth to their national, provincial and local leaders not being pro-active.

Soso "we'll become destitute"

Joshua Soso is the Financial Director of University of Goroka. The gathering was held right on the doorsteps of his Kama village home. He is just as concern about the development benefits that are likely to pass over as his people observe.

About two weeks ago, BSP listed Goroka as a risk investment area because of the crippling lawlessness and bad state of affairs of the physical rubbish and other neglect in town. Major physical developments taking place at UoG, the re-building of the Goroka hospital were raised as sore points of customary land being denied at least some employment as an opportunity to benefit from the development arising from their land. Peter Hoyato of Kama is a senior provincial education officer. He believes Alekano companies and skilleld and semi-skilled youths are not being given the priority as is the case in mining, petroleum and gas project sites in other provinces.

Chief Ketauwo
"use your own money to start change"

Prominent Alekano chief, Auwo Ketauwo also attended but raised a voice of caution and asked for the young men to activate the self-help mode of the Alekanos. . He called on the younger ones to dig into their own pockets and to put their leaders on notice to ensure better benefits come to them.

Alekano's political aspiring sons, Michael Gotaha, Jack Gopave and current town mayor and deputy governor Koni Sari justified lack of leadership was a reason for customary landowners not advancing and improving their lifestyles.Gopave says a submission must be put on the forums outcome to town mayor and deputy governor Sari to take forward.

Mayor Sari " I can't on my own,
help me join hands to change Goroka"

Mayor Sari says the 'aples' Alekano forum is divine intervention to lift the people out of their misery for active and positive change.
Other entrepreneurs, Steven Rere and Ubum Makarai urged the customary landowner leaders to add more firewood to the fire of change so that political, economic, law and justice and the social sector -- is tuned into lifting the plight of customary landowners.

SBDC PROMISES NEW MONEY TO VILLAGE BUSINESS PEOPLE

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Tue, 31 May 2011 04:09:00 +0000

A community based around a church setting near Goroka beleives it has found the winning formula to improve living standards of its members.
The Kefamo SDA community has linked up with the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) to involve its members in various small business programs.
Recently, the more than a thousand strong community, many of them running small business went through a two week training (IYB) to improve their businesses. Managing Director of SBDC was the guest on his first visit to a rural SBDC training & other small business activity.

A follower arrangement by a Kefamo florist business-person

Mr. Kobla second left was showered with Kefamo gifts

The village farmers who sat for the IYB training, harvested and displayed some of their soil produce, hung out ladies dresses from their village-tailoring and food from their home bakery to livened up the day. They were eager to show the fruits of their labor to SBDC's MD Diri Kobla.
The mothers and fathers had started their village-based businesses last year after the first SBDC start your business program SYB). Some had gone through the SYB & MYB training held through the SBDC small business training.
Goroka based small business trainer, Linda Voyorite, presented the report of the progress of the businesses.
Mrs. Voyoritte says as a result of IYB training the small business people now have a formula only they know best can get their small businesses moving up and giving them benefits.
She says this IYB training was special because they got the training from a master trainer and Kefamo SYM & IYB trainings will boost Kefamo small business people.
SBDC Managing Director Diri Kobla says SBDC recognises, appreciates and notes the trainngs programs and the Alekano Savings & Loans.
Alekano S&L Ltd, regarded as the mini-bank of Goroka, is the only village based micro-credit facility supported primarily by small village-based business earnings and deposits. He promsied the small-village farmers, there is at least five million kina ready to be parked in the small-business program to support such enthusiastic village based business people.
Mr. Kobla says the SBDC on behalf of government wnats to support small businesses and for Kefamo small-business community, their efforts is an eye opener for new and continued SBDC & government funding programs.
He presented certificates to the village mothers and fathers who sat for the two week training to improve their businesses.

Its a partnership between church--business-and govt which is already proving some change. Kefamo SDA church plans to build a school when its small businesses start bringing back income to the community through the church tithes and offerings.

CORRUPTION KILLING PNG...keynote address at University graduation

noreply@blogger.com (www.BerlLinks Blog.com) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:02:00 +0000

The University of Goroka has been challenged to introduce new courses and develop itself into the highlands regional university.

The Director of the National Research Institute, Thomas Webster made the call when he spoke to 500 graduating students at the university's 14th graduation.
Dr. Webster says, the only highlands university must not close its doors to its teacher training programs but open its facilities to the large highlands population.
He challenged the graduates to take heed of personal discipline and stand up to do the right things against evils of society that are crippling Papua New Guinea's progress.

Papua New Guinea has many challenges but it also offers lots of opportunities. Your future and your destiny will be of your own making. The onus is on you to make those dreams come true.
Nothing will go wrong if you work hard; have a bit of common sense, honesty and decency. If you work hard, are honest and law abiding, I can assure you that there will be many benefits and rewards for a happy and prosperous future.
Dr Webster congratulated the 550 graduates as high acheivers, and urged them to take control of their lives and make their dreams come true.
"We need to work and live in a society that recognizes and rewards hard work. We need to live in a law-abiding environment, where the justice system punishes criminals and enables a peaceful environment for us to work and live in. We want to live in a society where the transport and other infrastructure are available. We want to travel on good roads to reach schools, to reach health centers, to reach markets in order to buy and sell. Many of you who take up teaching as a career will want to work in schools where there are good houses for teachers, where classrooms have sound facilities and equipment to make teaching an enjoyable, interesting and rewarding career".
However, our dreams and future are also dependent on the enabling environment around us.
"Unfortunately, there is a cancer that has grown so fast in our society that threatens the very existence of PNG and will make it difficult if not impossible to achieve your dreams, if we do not take any action now.
...
It takes two to tango and the practice sector is also a party to the corruptive behavior of government officials. I have heard some good businessman say that they have to pay someone to get things done; otherwise they will not be able to do business. If they complain, they will be punished even more, because there is no official mechanism to deal with corrupt officials.
Corruption has contributed to the breakdown of basic infrastructure. Roads that used to exist more then two decades ago are no longer there. Many of the roads to the schools and places where you will be expected to work are in such a state that trucks and public transport no longer operate to those places.
Because of corruption, we cannot expect the police to protect us, nor the courts to punish the criminals, letting them to continue threatening the well being of good citizens.
If you or any of your family members are sick and you are able to get transport to the hospital, you may find that the drugs needed to cure the illness is not available because of corruption.
...
Read full text of Dr. Webster's address to UoG 14th Graduation in the National Research Institute's Website: www.nri.org.pg