By Willie Lovai – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The Bomana International Education Agency celebrated the pioneer graduation of 102 inmates and staff today, setting the foundation for the new Correctional Services in partnership with IEA rehabilitation program.
Ninety-seven inmates, along with five staff members at the Bomana Correctional Institute graduated in literacy skills, hygiene and food safety courses.
Among the pioneer graduands was 62-year old Leo Aiyaki from West New Britain. Mr. Aiyaki is serving two life sentences, and today marked a very significant milestone in his life as Aiyaki graduated for the first time.
“The program made it possible for me to read and now I find hope for myself,” Aiyak said.
Inmates and staff at the new Bomana TAFE have something to look forward to, as the first batch of graduates made history as pioneers of the CIS and IEA rehabilitation program.
The graduation saw 102 graduands at the Bomana Correctional Institute, and for many inmates it was their first graduation and brought hope for the future.
TAFE Development Manager, Ross Mcdermott, said that it was an ongoing program and that IEA plans to include more courses like computing in the future.
Correctional service staff said it is all about giving a second chance, and that the graduation was the first step to achieving that.
Willie Lovai is Journalism student at the University of PNG.
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