Province: Bougainville
A New Look Tanamalo
Domain: Gender

Tanamalo Primary School is located 47km North of Buka Town about 2 hours drive. The School is a United Church Run School Agency.  The school began to deteriorate during the crisis. The teacher’s houses, toilets, kitchens and school field needed maintenance.

We the women helped our men carry timber for building and cooked for them as they worked to maintain the school buildings. We also helped cut the grass and contributed a pig for the celebration of the completed work. Sometimes we just there so our men could do the heavy work in the school.

These changes help to motivate our children to learn well and made teachers to teach our children well. It has made us feel satisfaction of doing something for the school ourselves.

We the women will continue to support the school in any way we can and encourage parents to work hard to support the school. This change is important too because we want good education for our children.

Storyteller: Maureen M and Ansley Joel of Tanamalo Primary School, Autonomous Region of Bougainville
23/03/200

Healthy Environment, Student learning well
Domain:  Infrastructure

The most significant change which has happened in the school was when we built the new (4) four in one classroom.  After the planning committee and the BOM meeting, we were given our share of what to do to help in the construction of the planned classrooms. Our parents pulled down the bush materials building when we the youth carried sawn timbers from the jungle to the school grounds.

We selected some of our youth members especially the females to bring in food and cook meals for both the carpenters as well as ourselves. Some of us carried sand and gravel from the river bed to where the classroom location is to be.
On completion of doing these heavy jobs we then began cutting out the bushy cow grasses, digging out and leveling where necessary.

We also divided ourselves into small groups to dig toilets for students and staff. After the completion of all these we gathered together and planned a bazaar to raise money for nails and other building materials which may cost money. With the amount collected we gave the carpenters money to pay for the materials needed. And we also bought a lawn mower which now makes our school beautiful with clean lawn and good looking buildings. Thanks to BEDP for educating us to manage our school.

Storyteller: Anonymous Youth (name withheld)
Tabogo Primary School, Buin District, Autonomous Region of Bougainville
01/03/200

Improvement and better learning
Domain:  Community participation/infrastructure

Komaru Community School is situated in a trouble zone where continuous infightings and deaths occurs now and then because of the so called Mekamui faction depriving the rights of people, children and teachers in the communities. It is also a run down school.

Since the first BEDP visit to our school we were very impressed with the best awareness made to all the communities including those ‘factions’ who also attended the meeting. Because of the awareness on the importance of Basic Education and Self Reliance etc… we came to realize our failures especially by neglecting our children to better education.

Ever since the school was established teachers were always living in fear of their lives and did not reside in the school. They would go home after school and did not come to school after 2 or 3 days .The school was not always functioning too well and students do did not learn well.   As we learnt and realized our mistakes we sat together and planned two new teacher’s houses for elementary teachers and 1 new teacher’s house for community school teacher. This will allow the teachers to reside in the school grounds.

The plan was implemented. We sat up a mini market to raise funds and assist the School’s Board of Management to buy petrol for the chain saw which contractors used to cut timbers for the teachers houses. Classes are now operating very well and our children are also learning well.  We would like to thank the BEDP Project for these initiatives. Very well done two officers from BEDP in Zone 1.

Storyteller: Anastacia, of Komaru Community School, Buin District, Autonomous Region of Bougainville
28/02/2008.

The use of a negative thing to create positive development for a Hahalis

Hahalis Primary School was established in 1975 through the effort of Mr. John Teosin (late) and the chief of Hahalis. The establishment of the school surfaced after chiefs and parents realized the walking distance to nearby schools as Hanahan and Gogohe Catholic schools and also how the Hahalis students were treated in those schools. The discriminatory remarks made to these students were during the height of the Hahalis Welfare Society demoralizing the interest to attend schools in Hanahan and Gogohe.

This prompted the then Mr. John Teosin and the chiefs of Hahalis to request the then Education Minister Mr. Ebia Olewale, in 1974 to come to Hahalis and their request for a school came into reality in 1975. Honorable John Momis and the late Ebia Olewale were invited for the opening and bore witness to the establishment of Hahalis Primary School.

We can remember the school starting with three (3) classrooms and three (3) teachers of which have all passed away.

The foremost important development we have seen as pioneer students was the number of students enrolled at that time was very high and that the parents and citizens were very committed to their roles and responsibilities to the school. Today, Hahalis has many ex students employed in various Government and private sectors.

In conclusion, we would like to say that, it was thought sheer “determination” that our forefathers enabled the establishment of this school. The determination that was there in the establishment of this school is now fading away.
Can we the generation of today, give thought to what our forefathers have done and with the same determination do the same to our current institution.

It is through our “will, commitment, determination and ownership” shall we see tangible development to our school for the betterment of our children and their children of Hahalis.

Storyteller: Thomas Tennaka, of Kunua Primary School

Province: Manus
Sago beating and weaving

We, the women at Kali Island, deciding on how we can help make a change to our school,  Tanika Primary School for the betterment of our children’s education, decided  that we went on to make a Fundraising by beating Sago and weaving and sewing sago leave’s.

Then we came out with a Bag of Sago and five sago leaves each. From this collection, they were sold out at K15 – K20.00 each bag of sago and forty (40t) toea for a sago leaf. The money was then collected and given to the school authority.

From that Fundraising, money was then used to help purchase Academic Awards for the school at the end of the last school year.

This drive helped the school so much in easing the problem of finding sponsors (individuals/companies) to purchase prizes for the school and too not having so much to chip out all the time from the school budget.
Thank you to the women to have this initiative in such activity to help change the school by not relying so much on the school to use / exhaust funds that can help develop our school infrastructure or whatever.

Storyteller: Monica Linus, of Tanika Primary School

Boarding Students Food Ration

Since the establishment of Lessau Primary School the boarding students have been mostly eating sago with coconut flesh. The supply of sago were brought to school by the inland parents every month. The supply of fish were brought in by individual parents for their own children.
After the BEDP first visit a change was made. The school administration has now looked into making a change towards the boarding students food ration. Some additional supply of food like rice, sugar, flour and tea were added. These foods were purchased by the administration. The money was taken to purchase these additional food was mainly from the boarding students additional fees.
There was time table drawn for the cook to follow in preparing the food. The islanders parents were asked to bring in fish every fortnight. Where as the inland parents are bringing sago every morning. This change has help the boarding students very much. The students are now taking in balance diet. There still plans to improve the students food ration.

Storyteller: Lucy Habet, of Lessau Primary School

School Water Tank

By recommending the youths helping and supporting their school by carrying water tanks from Patu up to Jekal School.  However, the story will be in detail as; all the youths gathered early in the morning and move down to Patu. They created a bedding from sticks and ropes and placed the tank onto the bedding and carry it. So far the road was really well cleared during community work. Also the road is a bit stiff and slippery and it takes them about 9 kilometers of walking as also takes them almost two and a half hours or exactly three hours.
They enjoyed resting at the spectacular views on their way and had a pleasant walking journey up to Jekal.

These stories response what the youth have done to their school as maintaining or enhancing the good school running and well.  The changes that have occurred is that teachers and students benefits from a good fresh water from this tank.  It also brings a great impact and healthy living of this school.

Storyteller: Chapok M. Pukeai, of Jekal Community School

MIC stories from District Women’s Facilitators (DWFs

Province: Sandaun
My Visit To Ofektamin Community School

OFEKTAMIN Community School is one school I have visited this year. The school is situated at the foot of a steep mountain about 4-5 hrs walk from TELEFOMIN station a total of 10kms. It is a small community has a population of 500 and the school accommodated two teachers to 30 students. It is a Catholic run agency serving OFEKTAMIN and three other wards namely INANTIGIN, IVATIGIN and ATEMKIAKMIN. I got up early around 6:00 am, sorted out my bags and materials. Made sure my children’s stuff is prepared for school. My carrier, a woman arrived at 10:30 am at the road junction. We took the long walk down to the river and up to the mountain. Up on the mountain, about 1:50 pm.

We met the Head Teacher and his assistant teacher heading towards TELEFOMIN station. Both advised me that they urgently need to collect some school materials which would be arriving on the MAF from VANIMO. They will be back in the afternoon. Advised that the people are waiting for my visit, so I continued walk down the hill about 1hr to the OFEK River, crossing a single pole bridge, I had more help and courage from my carrier. From there, we walked and 40mins or so up the hill to reach the school. By the time I reach the top, my knees were wobbly and shaky, but upon seeing the smiling faces and greetings and small children’s curious faces. I soon forgot all about my knee problem and started to greet and embrace the women and the children. I could feel the atmosphere there, as friendly as if I’ am at home.

Since I was familiar with the people there almost everyone knows my father as one of the prominent figure in TELEFOMIN so I feel as if I’ am in my very own village. The leaders at the community were overwhelmed and me as an AUSAID/NDOE representative at their school is an achievement, as their school is newly established. Having heard that BEDP is an Education programme sponsored by AUSAID has however raised high expectation from my visit. Usually, whenever they hear something of AUSAID involvement in any programme in PNG to them it means funding or infrastructure project. The reception was cordially warm and pleasing. I was assigned to a vacant house (catechist’s house) with everything been set. The school community is known for its best hospitality and generosity as I have witnessed on my first visit last year’s elementary graduation. I meet with the BOM Chairman and councillor and advised that meeting would take place at 8:00 am tomorrow. I met with the Head Teacher and the teacher and briefly informed them of my visit here the next day.

At about 9:00 am the people gathered at the assembly ground. Since the classroom space were inadequate to fit all. A blackboard was brought outside to the lawn. After the introduction I explained my purpose of the visit and the theme of Education Department that is prosperity through Self-Reliance. Getting them into their focus groups was a great help to get the women and youths to contribute meaningfully to the meeting. Almost all women are illiterate. Only three women PIDGIN literate and were able to lead the focus group discussions. This was a new experience for them. There were two women representatives in the school BOM. So when I made mention of women representative in the BOM, the BOM were proud to say that they already had women representative in BOM. I also met and encourage the youths and they were proud and glad to participate equally to the action plan. Again they felt important as their ideas were considered and respected.

On the whole, the strength-based approach SDs was a powerful and effective tool to get the community to realise they already got the resources, skills and manpower to maintain and improve the facilities already existing in the school. The BOM and the councillor on behalf of the happy and grateful school community, the messes expressed the people heartfelt thanks to AUSAID for their continuous support Papua New Guinea but more specifically Education in TELEFOMIN.

After the BEDP work, I gathered the women together around 7:00 pm and help assisted the women establish their executives and membership and briefed them on the women network and its roles and requirement. The women expressed their gratitude as I have suggested a small change room at the public washing place. This would all privacy when changing.

I stayed with them for two days and a half and left OFEKTAMAN. I felt content at least I have done work as a DWF and a BOMF to help this remote school to be self-reliant and continue to sustain the Education service out in those remote areas were Government services are lacking.  I personally feel confident that I will improve better in my next school visit. For your information this visit has not been reported – simply because I wasn’t accompanied by an Education Officer but it was a good practise for me and I’ am adamant to perform to best assist all the schools in my LLG – TELEFOMIN.

Storyteller: Letty Difilapnok, DWF Telefomin

Yeftim Community School

Yeftim Community School em wanpela bilong ol rimout school.  Sampela hundreds of kilometres long wei.  Ino gat wanpela Community stap klostu long em.  Igat airstrip , nogat gutpela hausik, nogat wokman.  Yeftim Community School ino gat sampela kain komunication.  Mi na Inspeskta kisim 5 pela days wokabaut long go long dispela school.  Mi tupela i wokabaut, klaimim maunten na krosim planti ol bikpela wara.

Ol komuniti ikat bikpela Respect, harim tok, ol kisim mipela igo long ol gutpela haus, givim planti kaikai na protin.  Ol meri kam stori waimtaim mi, toktok long ol wok bilong olmama grup, na askim long wanem wok bilong mi, na mi mast wokabaut long wei long visitim school community.

Mi siaun na toktok sharing ol sampela ol aidia how ol meri ken senisim sitaun bilong famili, community na school.  Dispela BEDF Program em inambawan em bai kamapim gut ol schools.

Storyteller: Agnes Togo, DWF, Aitape-Lumi, Sandaun Province

Warsai Community School

Warsai Community School, em wanpela school wei em stap klostu long wara Sepik na em stap aninit long Ambunti LLG.  Long go b’long mi long dispela school em i olsem, sapos long mi fly long balus na go daun long Warsai tasol nogat balus , so mi mas lusim Mukili na wokabaut igo long Nuku na bihain lusim Nuku na wokabaut igo long Warsai.  Dispela Warsai Community School ino save kisim wanpela helpim o funding ikam long outside.  ‘

Ol i wokim ol buildings out of bush materials.  So taim mi kamap pinis long school, ol meri long dispela area ol amamas tru long lukim mi na ol imas kam bung waitaim mi na askim mi planti long wok bilong ol meri na mi lukim olsem dispela community i save participate gut tru long community bilong ol.  Na ol i laikim mi gen long go bek lukim ol long dispela school na bai ol kisim moa save long dipela wok nau mi mekim.  School bilong ol i naispela tru, na nambawan tru insait long Maimai Wanwan Zone.

Storyteller: Helen Kangi, DWF, Nuku District, Sandaun

School Visit

Long skul visit bilong mi.  Mi ko long Karaitem Community School, mi wokabaut, mi ino go long car.  Taim mi go kamap long school, mi pilim tired, mi malolo.  Next day mi bungim ol BOD Staff na Community na tokim ol long wok bilong BEDP Project.  Tokim ol long wok bilong School Infrastructure.  Taim mi tokim ol pinis mi mekim toktok wantaim ol meri, na mi tokim ol olsem yupela ol meri noken fret long mekim ol wok olsem ol man save mekim.  Nau em taim bilong man na meri mas wok wantaim (Gender Equity).

Mi amamas long harim ol tokim mi olsem ikat meri em isatp nau long long BOD.  Mi hamamas tru olsem ikat meri istap wantaim ol man olsem BOD bilong skul.

Storyteller: Agatha Seku, DWF, Aitepe- Lumi, Sandaun Province

Province: Oro
My Awareness Visit

I went on my awareness to visit the OBEA Community School in Safia District my awareness was on DWF and Basic Education Development Project (BEDP). The meeting was attended by the majority of the community. Most of them were women, BOM and P&C members of the school the (Head teacher) government officers and the Head teacher of the school. The health worker (APO)  and the ward 7 councillor. I told the women it is time for us women to stand on our feet and do something instead of men telling us to do something for them. The community were so impressed in my awareness. They told me when will be your next visit and I told them I would revisit the school with the BOM Facilitation team when ever it is schedule from the Education office.

Storyteller: Mrs Ajeri, DWF Safia, Oro

My Success Story: Sakarina Level Six (6) School

While waiting for my school visit, I was appointed as a Board Member; with one other woman from the community. The appointment of women in the BOM is first of its kind to have women in the Board. This happened after the first visit by the other team. The school BOM had two (2) meeting so far and during this meeting I had briefed the board member on the aims and objectives of the BEDP. I also said the communities must be self-reliance and have the ownership of the school.

The school have 300 students and 10 teachers and the community is looking forward to have grade 9 and 10 next year. Twelve (12) elementary feeder schools and twelve (12) elementary teachers trained & established.  The great success story is the digging of the school toilet that I lead the men to school to work. Imagine how men thought, how I could dig a toilet pit. I was followed by 13 men to dig in no minutes.

The Head Teacher of that school and my other BOMS appreciated me that women can work side by side with men and can contribute good ideas and vision of the future of the children. Finally after the visit, the school BOM has now been endorse by the Provincial Education, Board to effectively operate.

Storyteller: Betty Lawenadi, Afore District Women Facilitator, Oro

My Success Visit To Asimba

Asimba is a place in the very remote area of Oro Province and is in the Sub- District of Kokoda. It shares a boarded with Central Province and Papua Waria. Due to the geographical situation, transport and communication is difficult. Government services haven’t gone in the area. On Monday the 21 of February 2005, inspector Mr Stan Urisi, three guides and me started our long journey to Asimba. It wasn’t an easy walk, we had to follow bush tracks and cross a river for 25 times.

Lucky for us, because some of the Asimba people who came down from the mountains to collect school materials and the BOM secretary was with us to escort us. If it wasn’t for them we’ll have got lost in the thick forest. The journey was though and risky but we had to take the risk and challenge, climbing up and down steep and slippery mountains. A slight mistake will mean our lives. But as a DWF I had a responsibility on my shoulder and that gave me the energy, and also didn’t want to be a burden to the inspector so I had to prove to the inspector I could make it to Asimba.

At about 4 o’clock the rain started pouring down heavily when we arrived at a village. Spent a night there and the next day started our journey again to Asimba.  Beside the river we were met by the head teacher and he told us his father in law died and ask us to go with him to the village were they have a funeral feast.  We were greeted by the village people and given a shelter to rest in. While we were sited village people came and shared their problems with us. Saying, “We were forgotten by the Oro Provincial Government and services not coming into the area. They also told us many mothers dying of child births, people and children dying of sickness that could be cured.

It was really a pain in inspector and my heart to hear the community come pour their worries to us. We listen to them and told them we were there for Basic Education Development Project. They were happy and said,” Final the Lord has answered our prayers and the AusAid has came to our rescue. I spoke to all the women about council of women credit scheme. And a little on health, especially how to prevent and cure sickness using Herbs and talk a little on Aids.
During dinner I shared a pkt of salt with all the village women. On Wednesday went to the school with all the community.

Asimba has one head teacher and teaches grade 3 two classrooms and the office. We ran the BEDP program and there wasn’t any women in the BOM so we had the community elect two women in the BOM. So the Asimba community school two women in the BOM.
After my visit at Asimba, I came to Kokoda and give my report to the health sister and she has volunteered to come with us in the next trip or visit.  I spoke to the president of the Kokoda District council of women who has written to the sister in charge of Kokoda Memorial Hospital to release one of her staff.

So next visit we go there’ll be a sister who will give and health talk.  A council of women rep on credit scheme and the BEDP team and I will also give skill training on how to prepare nut meals using vegetables in their gardens.

Storyteller: Nancy Erepa, DWF Kokoda, Oro Province

School Reopened

Before the BoM Training, my school was shut down due to no teachers for 3 years. During the BoM workshop at Popondetta, I thought it was a waste of time attending while my school has not been operation for 3 years. After my BoM workshop I had courage I had confidence to approach our ward councillor & elementary Head teacher about our BoM workshop. They were very interested about the message that was given.

The next day the message was given to the community. They all came to the school ground themselves into clans. Each clan has each project to finish off before we reopen the school within two months.   Teacher’s houses & their toilets, classrooms & 3 student toilets completed. The inspector visited the school, now it has been reopened for four months since January this year. I have been working in the community in the past, I worked with women alone. Now this BoM workshop has given me confident to work together with male partners & has opened a way to discuss & make discussion together.

Storyteller: Aida Gerari, DWF Central Kaiwa, Popondetta

Province: Simbu
Karamui Story

Karamui is one of the fly in districts in Simbu. Due to its geographical location & isolation from its township of Kundiawa, people still resort to traditional and customary practices that affect women's freedom and rights to decision making and equal participation in community activities.

Our visit was a blessing in disguise as we were able to educate the people of what it is like in the outside world. For most it was like an eye- opener. Women were able to speak for the first time in history to express their views and feelings openly in a meeting together with men. This created an avenue for open dialogue and sharing of grievances to change some of their traditional practices where old man can marry so many wives and especially underage girls, and so depriving them of their rights of completing their education. Young boys of the age of 10 on the other hand, came out with the issues of unfair treatment where they are sent away to the boys-house to fend for themselves. One spoke out in Pidgin said: Mama papa save long Karim mipela tasol ol I no save long lukautim mipela. He further stressed that the new generation needs to be changed through education.

An old man at the age of between 50& 60 at that time of the visit was proposing to marry a grade four girl and the parents couldn’t do anything. However the BOMF team at that time was able to rescue the young girl who is now attending school in Kundiawa town.

Storyteller: Maria Kalap, DWF, Karamui District

Province: Western
The Most challenging experience with my DWF during our first visit at Ningerum Primary School

Ningerum Primary school is 72km away from the township of Kiunga. On the 2nd of March, we set off for Ningerum Primary school. We arrived just before 12:00pm after a long car ride on Kiunga – Tabubil highway. We were greeted by a friendly women school BoM member. She told us that they had received our message and were expecting us. We were taken to the Headteacher’s office. We introduced ourselves, talked for a while and all went off for lunch, agreeing to meet again at 1pm with the school BoM and teachers.

After lunch we met with all the teachers and BoM members in the staff room, introduced ourselves and the purpose of our visit.

Before I could go further, I was stopped by an old man in the group. He said in Pidgin “Gupela pikinini blong mi, inap yutupela kisim ol pepa blong yuupela na lusim mipela? Planti taim mipela save gat kainkain visitors wantaim ol kain kain askim’s na mipela save wok wantaim ol tasol ol I mauswara na mipela I no lukim kaikai biblong miting”. (Asking the team to get their papers and leave them alone because so many times visitors come in and meet with them but nothing beneficial comes out of it). He then went on to say that he is the longest serving BoM member. This year was his 20th year.

I kept silent for a while, looked at my DWF, trying to get her approval for me to reply to this old man. She gave me a smile which gave me the strength to talk. I told the old man, “Papa, taim is senis nau, nupela yia, nupela pasin, nupela manmery, na nupela idia” (The time has change and we now in the new century, with new behaviours and attitude, new type of people, and new ideas).

So we were sent here by the Department of Education under the BEDP project supported by AusAID. Can you kindly wait till we complete our school community meeting tomorrow before you can make us leave? He nodded showing his agreement and so we continued with our meeting.

Sure enough after the six hours of meeting and the final presentation of School Action Plan, this old man came to me with tears in his eyes, hugged me and said again in pidgin Pikinini, mi sori tru long wanem samting mi toktok long you asde, mi nau mi luksave olsem mi yet em papa blong skul na mi mas go pas long skul mentenans, Thank you tru na bai mi wetim kambek blong yu. Referring to our second visit. The old man apologises and stressed that he now understands the school belong to him and he must go ahead with any maintenance for his school.

All in all this challenge has helped me to be confident and to expect similar or if not the unexpected in other school visits.  Thanks to AusAID for making this program come about through the National Department of Education, which I am very lucky to be the only female inspector in Western province.

Storyteller: Mrs. Rose Kehanie, Nigerum Zone Inspector, Western Province.