By BERNARD NANDE
A COFFEE project group in Pangia District, Sothern Highlands Province expressed high gratitude to AusAid funding through the Eastern Southern Highlands Community Development Association (ESHCDA) on Tuesday.
A funding of K30,000 was made available to the Tole Youth Group in Marapini village, South Wiru Local Level Government (LLG) involving two council ward areas.
This funding was made available in 2006 through the group’s late Chairman John Kokele.
In picture from left to right; ESHCDA treasurer Pastor James Apono, second ESHCDA Chairman Mr Keith Paya and core group member Cr Kewa Kera with community at the back during the first team visit for project assessment at Polgopu village in Ialibu Basin LLG, Imbonggu District on last Sunday.
The AusAid funding was channelled through the Community Development Scheme (CDS) Highlands Regional Coordinator Francis Kup partnering with ESHCDA team in the province.
The funding was made for the purchase of coffee project equipment after seeing a great need to improve coffee production in terms of both quantity and quality. The group purchased coffee pulping machines, CP spray pumps, chemicals, canvas and coffee cutters from the funding.
After 19 years of supporting the project, the ESHCDA representing the AusAid funding scheme visited the project area at Marapini village for its project assessment. The new chairman of Tole Youth Group, Rodney Kokele at the community gathering said the AusAid funding has served the two council wards greatly and it’s still continuing.
The group purchased equipment to assist to improve the 15 hectares of coffee project. He said the coffee is the main source of income for most families in the community to raise school fees and funds for various other needs as well, including its contributions to assist in community obligations and ceremonial events from the sale of coffee.
The chairman said District Development Authority (DDA) of Ialibu/Pangia has not come to their aid in supporting the project for continuation within the 19 years apart from the AusAid funding. This has not gone down well with the group and other coffee growers.
The youth group members and the whole community concluded saying thank you to the AusAid funding scheme. They are anticipating for additional support to continue in maintaining and promoting the existing coffee project for equipment as the previous ones have deteriorated.
Finally, the chairmen of ESHCDA Chairman Keith Paya in his closing remarks thanked the Tole Youth Group for looking after the equipment purchased out of the AusAid funding. He appealed to the group and community to continue to look after the coffee project and the equipment provided.
