On this day in history, a welfare worker shares a powerful message: 'The solution lies in togetherness'. In Papua New Guinea, he believes that by uniting the government, churches, and communities, they can tackle pressing issues like unemployment and school leavers. Mr. Semese Sea, the executive officer of the Port Moresby Community Development Group, recently returned from a transformative journey across Africa, India, and Australia. During his travels, he witnessed remarkable examples of community-driven development. In Tanzania, he discovered a village workshop where young people aged 10 to 20 learned various skills, from pottery and carpentry to brick and furniture making. The government provided initial support, but the youth and their parents took the lead, ensuring the workshop's sustainability. Mr. Sea was particularly inspired by the involvement of girls in carpentry and furniture making, a stark contrast to the traditional focus on sewing and cooking. He envisions a similar impact in PNG, where such projects could provide opportunities for the unemployed and school leavers. In India, he explored the 'Grail', the country's largest women's organization, which empowers women across various fields and professions. These women actively engage with village mothers and girls, offering support in nutrition, sewing, cooking, health, sports, and leadership. The government plays a crucial role by providing financial assistance when these women's associations are formed. Mr. Sea's trip also included discussions with Community Aid Abroad (CAA) about aid for the Port Moresby Community Development Group. CAA has been a consistent financial supporter for three years, focusing on improving the standard of living in rural settlements. Mr. Sea's journey was monitored by the Canadian University Service Overseas, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in community development. To delve deeper into this story and explore more historical narratives from the 1950s to 2000s, visit the Post-Courier archive or contact denaha@spp.com.pg or +675 309 1120 for further insights.
