With about 20 per cent of the population of Papua New Guinea being youth, the focus on developing youth into valuable people within societies is very important.
Youth With A Mission, or YWAM, has been engaging young people, for over 50 years, all over the world in serving and building communities.
This month YWAM Medical Ships ,and YWAM-University of the Nations Kona Hawaii, are exploring the feasibility of a youth training campus in Papua New Guinea.
The campus which is prospected to be in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, will look to foster character development, provide skills-based training and volunteering in rural areas of the country.
These are steps towards achieving Papua New Guinea’s National Youth Policy, as well as the Higher and Technical Education Plan.
YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director, Ken Mulligan, said it’s an exciting move towards empowering youth in the country.
“YWAM’s unique training approach focuses on developing young people holistically – hands-on opportunities are matched with character development, Christian values and application that directly benefits not only the student, but entire communities.
“We are looking forward to expanding our work to a greater level through this new campus,” Mulligan said.
University of the Nations Kona Hawaii is the training arm of YWAM, and their initial programs in Alotau will include pilots of two-week introductory seminars covering basic health care, women’s empowerment and community technology among others.
“These initial introductory seminars will help us gauge the appropriate style for training delivery as we progress toward delivering nationally accredited training in the future.
“These first few months are really about hearing from the students and the local community as we get to know each other in this context, and together explore the best strategy for long-term results,” said Paul Childers, YWAM-University of the Nations Kona Hawaii Executive Director.
Childers said they want “for the training to be culturally relevant and engaging” so that young people get a real understanding of their value and their roles in contributing to nation building, in addition to attaining skills.
The YWAM Alotau Campus will help create an exciting environment for the growth and success of youth, not only in PNG but from all over the world.
Minister for National Planning & Monitoring and Alotau Open MP, Charles Abel, had extended an invitation to YWAM to establish a campus in the area.
Source: YWAM Medical Ships
