The communities of the Community Mine Continuation Agreement or CMCA Trust regions in Central Middle Fly, and Suki Fly Gogo in South Fly District of Western Province received Community Learning Centres this month.
It was funded by the 10 percent Women and Children funds from the Ok Tedi Mining Limited compensation package.
Presidents of the Women and Children Associations from both Trust regions received the keys to these learning centres delivered by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation Infrastructure Development Department.
This department has so far built 18 community learning centres across the three districts of Western Province in the CMCA communities in partnership with the eight Women and Children Associations.
Middle Fly Women and Children Association President, Ms. Charlotte Mathews received the key to the CLC on behalf of the six Central Middle Fly villages.
Speaking on behalf of the women and youth, President Ms Mathews thanked the support of the development partners and stakeholders.
“It’s a special day for us, the women and children and youth of Central Middle Fly because from this CLC infrastructure, life skills training and capacity building programs will be facilitated for the good of our communities.” she said.
Similarly, in South Fly District, the Suki Fly Gogo Women and Children Association also received the keys for two new CLC’s on the 11th and 13th October 2022.
President Saridu Saudi said these Community Learning Centres is a legacy project by the association executives.
“The work is done because we have the heart for our people. Our faith outweighs the struggles and our perseverance pushes us through to accomplishing our plans outlined in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan (2019-2023).” said Saudi.
According to the OTDF Executive Manager Program Services, Eric Kuman, the CLC is a unique concept that aims to bring life skills trainings to the community, giving equal opportunity and shared responsibility for the mission of educating all members of the community.
He said: “This is your university; I encourage you all to get involved in using the building to continue your education, learn life skills and conduct meetings. Open the doors to partners, NGO’s, donors and government to use the CLC for development work. It is not an OTDF building; it is community property and most importantly, take care of it.”
OTDF’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Havini Vira expressed that such projects will empower and encourage people to accomplish their goals in having a better life. He added that due to the logistical challenges and stringent processes to approve projects, all these wouldn’t happen without partnership between OTDF and the women and children’s associations.
