Papua New Guinea project profile

Port Moresby Settlements Project

People
Most of Vadavada and Kipo’s settlers were drawn to the city in the hope of getting jobs, thus the settlements are made up of people from different parts of the country, representing a variety of tribes. Mahuru and Keisi are not ethnically mixed. In fact, much of the land where the other three settlements are located traditionally belongs to the tribe that lives in Mahuru. Relations between the traditional landowners and settlers are often tense.

While the settlers often moved to the area in the hope of finding a job, there are few to be found. In a scene repeated in cities around the world, this unplanned growth in the urban population has resulted in high unemployment and over-burdened social services, leading to poverty, desperation and lawlessness.

Education
World Vision is collecting information on the educational needs of the settlements. This information will be used to determine the kinds of classes offered and the languages in which they will be run.

As there are few preschools, World Vision has assisted the communities to build preschool classrooms. Preschool management committees are linked to the Port Moresby Preschool Association. World Vision-trained teachers run preschool classes during the day and adult literacy lessons in the evenings.

Health
Houses in Vadavada are generally substandard, built from cardboard, plastic, wooden boards and scraps of tin. People lack access to clean water and there are few latrines in the settlements.

To improve health, World Vision improves water and sanitation systems by repairing water pipes and drains, building community shower blocks and installing latrines.

Community health training covers topics such as drug and alcohol dependence, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, personal hygiene and safe food handling, preparation and storage methods.

Income generation
World Vision supports young people to attend vocational training courses, such as carpentry. Women and girls can learn sewing and cooking and the small business skills necessary to sell their products in local markets so they can supplement family incomes.

Women’s savings groups established by World Vision promote saving and provide small business loans through a revolving loan scheme. Participants learn bookkeeping and small business skills so they can make the most of their loans.

Infrastructure
World Vision co-ordinates with government departments to install street lighting and repair roads in the settlements.

Community empowerment
World Vision runs community meetings to find out the needs of the settlements and encourage participation in development activities. It then trains community leaders to plan, manage and evaluate projects. Multi-purpose buildings being constructed in each of the communities will serve as a focus point for community activities.

World Vision holds meetings to facilitate peace between traditional landowners and settlers and encourages leaders to work together to solve land related issues. A village court system has been established and community members are trained to address law and order and promote conflict resolution.

Sustainable development
Thank you for your partnership with the communities of Vadavada, Kipo, Mahuru and Keisi through Pacific Partners and the Port Moresby Settlements Project. The people are excited about the opportunity to work for change in their settlements and provide a better future for their children. We will keep you updated about their progress.