AUSTRALIA is collaborating with churches and district officials in Menyamya District, Lae, to improve health and adult literacy services.
The signing of A Memorandum of Understanding between the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the Menyamya District Development Authority (DDA) formalises the collaboration.
This is following community feedback gathered through social accountability activities supported under the PNG-Aus Partnership’s Church Partnership Program (CPP).
Community members in Menyamya spoke about challenges affecting health and literacy services, including limited resources and workforce shortages.
These findings were presented to district leaders and directly informed the new partnership, which focuses on practical improvements shaped by local priorities.
Bernard Paru, CPP Program Manager, ADRA said “For us, this partnership is about getting practical support to people where it matters most.
“With support from the PNG-Australia Partnership, we work alongside communities in Menyamya every day, and this agreement strengthens our ability to improve health services and adult literacy in ways that respond to real needs and can be sustained over time,” said Mr Paru.
The Australian Consul General in Lae, Mr Brenton Kanowski, said “This agreement shows what is possible when communities, churches and local government work together.”
“By listening to community concerns and embedding them in district planning, this partnership is helping to strengthen
health and literacy services in ways that are practical, locally led, and sustainable.” Mr Kanowski said.
Australia is proud to support this partnership and commends ADRA, church partners, and district leaders for working together to turn community feedback into meaningful action.
The Church Partnership Program (CPP) is the latest expression of the long-standing relationship between Papua New Guinea’s Churches and Australia, built over many decades.
Established in 2004, the CPP formalised collaboration between PNG’s seven mainline churches and their Australian counterparts.
Funded through the PNG-Aus Partnership, CPP works to strengthen church capacity in PNG to deliver essential services, contribute to policy, and promote social inclusion.
CPP partners operate across PNG, delivering programs in education, health, peacebuilding, gender-based violence and SARV prevention, and community resilience.