Digicel PNG Foundation launched two new elementary classrooms and a Community Resource Centre in Wabag, Enga Province today.  

 The two new elementary classrooms were launched at Sangurap Elementary school in Wabag town. These two new classrooms will cater for the needs of the 150 children attending the school. Most classrooms are built from bush materials and are in desperate need of replacement. There is only one semi permanent classroom which is also in need of repair. The two new kit built classroom structure will be able to accommodate up to 50 elementary school children. They also include a library with 100 books each kindly donated by NGO, Hope Worldwide as well as a school blackboard and slates.   

The formal launch took place just prior to the closing of the school for the Christmas holidays in front of a crowd of jubilant teachers, parents and school children. Benson Sakan, Provincial Assistant Secretary, Catholic Education Agency, spoke at the launch, saying : “These two new classrooms are a great improvement for us. We are looking forward to starting the new school year in these new facilities. Thank you Digicel Foundation for recognizing our need and coming to our assistance with this generous donation”. 

Also present at the launch today was, Marena Sansan, Board member of the Foundation and the Digicel Regional Manager for the Highlands who said: “We are very excited about the launch of Digicel Foundation’s first project in Enga. The Digicel Foundation especially recognizes those communities who are helping themselves with the resources they have. It is important that all children in PNG have access to a basic education.  In providing these two new elementary classrooms we hope to help improve the overall quality of education and encourage children to attend school at an early age.”   

A Community Resource Centre was also launched in the village of Sari on the outskirts of Wabag town. The Centre will be managed and staffed by Anglicare Highlands as part of their community development programme in this area. The Centre will be used for literacy training for the community (especially women and girls who have missed out on education), health, hygiene, nutrition and cooking classes for people living with HIV Aids and also basic financial management and sewing training will be offered to women and girls to help them improve on their life skills.   

The launch of the new Community Learning Centre attracted a lot of attention from the Sari community. Regina Koi, Operation’s Manager, Anglicare Stop Aids, Highlands Region, said at the launch: “This new facility will give Sari village and the surrounding villages a great boost. It will give our organization the opportunity to reach out to disadvantaged groups in the community who have missed out on basic education. Through this valuable resource they will be given a second chance to develop themselves in a positive way.”   

The Foundation is working closely with Government, non-government organizations, churches and the private sector to get the Foundation’s projects in the areas of Basic Education infrastructure and Family Support related infrastructure off the ground. The launch of the two elementary classrooms marks the start of the roll out of 16 elementary school classrooms for 8 selected elementary schools nationwide. To date the Foundation has launched 34 Community Learning Centres. The Foundation is also currently engaged in two primary school building projects and a second Meri Seif Haus and mobile clinic project are well underway. By improving infrastructure in the areas of basic education and family support the Digicel Foundation strives to empower communities which in turn will endow them with a positive outlook for their future.