By BENSON WEMA
BANA Tertiary Students have taken an initiative to develop human resource in the Bana District in Bougainville as part of building and empowering their community.
This initiative is a project on creating an informative space through carrying awareness programs targeting students and parents.
The project was funded by the ABG Minister for Community Development, Hon. Theonila Matbob and the Bana Special Economic Zone.
According to student President Annemarie Kiraa, the idea behind the project started when there was a huge drop in the number students entering tertiary institutions from the Bana district.
“We want to make sure our youths are inspired through the awareness we run in schools inclusive of the TVETS and primary schools, so that will link to having independence ready society as our region Bougainville move towards independent and autonomy,” he said.
President Kiraa said the team was able to pay visit to students in Bana Regional High School and Pope Primary School which was an achievement for the association and start of many good projects to come.
While this project is focusing on building an informative society, the group of young elites are also concern on teaching the younger generation about the good values, good study habit and most importantly about time management.
The Bana Tertiary Students association is truly is grateful for the assistance they had acquired and are looking forward to more community engagement.
They received great feedbacks from the teachers and students applauding them for their effort in rolling out the project successfully.
Community Chiefs and parents took time out of their daily duties to be with the team, shed tears of happiness for the first time this had happened in their community.
Ms. Kiraa expressed that teamwork makes a dream work and she thanked all individuals from UPNG, UNITECH, and St. Peter’s Channel Techers College who took time out to be part of the project reaching to their own people.
“When you have the right people on board your ship will be destined to achieve greatness not only for you but for the community that looks up to you.”
President Kiraa further explained that her team discovered that many schools are in dire need of library books and proper management.
“There are few classrooms that needed renovations and power to light up at night.
“For the ladies, as much as we were there to make awareness on education, there is a great need to educate them on feminine hygiene and products.
The president encouraged all other former Bana District tertiary students to be part of the upcoming projects and the association is also open to interested NGOs and organizations that are willing to assist through sponsorship.
