A former ward councilor in remote Kakimar village, situated in Ward Seven of Saidor Local Level Government in Rai Coast District, has greatly impressed the Governor of Madang Province, Ramsey Pariwa.
Paulus Keibu performed a noble act six years ago when he generously offered a small portion of his customary land to the Catholic Education Agency to establish a junior primary school.
Today, well over 150 students, from Early Childhood Education (ECD) to Grade Six, are learning to read and write at St Francis of Asisi Kakimar Junior Primary School on the land Keibu provided.
Governor Pariwa shook hands with and embraced Keibu in recognition of his generosity.
“What you’ve done by giving your land to build a school for the community is truly special. God will reward you privately for your kindness and wisdom,” Governor Pariwa said.
He also acknowledged other silent contributors in Madang Province who, without seeking recognition, make significant contributions to community development and progress.
The former ward member, Keibu, was honored during a ceremony where Governor Pariwa was the guest of honor. The governor visited the Kakimar community for the first time to present a K20,000 cheque to assist the school in improving its learning facilities.
Humbly, Keibu told the gathering that he is merely a custodian of the land, which God has created, and that his contribution was meant to help God’s creation—the children, who will be the future leaders of the community.
“I feel proud when I see children going to school to learn and become informed about the world. One day, these children will be leaders in our community, district, and Madang Province,” Keibu said.
“When I hear children singing beautifully in the classrooms, my heart is lifted with pride and joy,” he added.
Governor Pariwa said the growth and progress of Madang Province rely on making more land available for productive use. He described Mr Keibu’s act of giving land for a school as noble.
“Education is the light that will bring change and development to Madang Province,” he declared.
The governor noted that while parts of Madang, Bogia, and Sumkar Districts are seeing improvements in infrastructure and economic opportunities, Rai Coast and Middle Ramu Districts still lag behind with limited permanent infrastructure, such as bridges and roads.
“Until the people in the so-called ‘back-page’ move to the ‘front-page,’ we cannot say Madang has truly changed. We are working hard to bring this change to our people,” Governor Pariwa said.
Saidor Parish Priest, Fr Francis Yass, who accompanied the governor, explained that St Francis of Asisi Primary School is one of thirteen junior primary schools established by the Catholic Education Agency in collaboration with the Rai Coast District Education Program Manager, Lamang Bawon.
Fr Yass added that the Catholic Education Agency has proposed establishing a secondary school at Gumbi on the coast, which would serve students from the thirteen cluster schools. Plans are drawn up, but implementation requires stronger church-government collaboration and funding support.
Rai Coast District Education Program Manager Lamang Bawon noted that while a Lutheran Church secondary school exists at Gawar (Raikos Secondary School) and proposals for other church high schools at Ranana and Biliau are underway, the Catholic Education Agency still lacks a secondary school in Rai Coast.
