THE rainforest community of Sololo in Milne Bay Province has received much-needed National Identification (NID) services, a significant step toward improving access to essential services for the community.
Thanks to Cool Earth for making this possible by engaging the Papua New Guinea’s NID Office to bring birth registration and national ID services to the rainforest community of Sololo from the 9th to 10th of April 2025.
Sololo has been in partnership with Cool Earth since 2018, in which Sololo is one community that lacks basic government services such as education, healthcare, and civil registration.
Cool Earth has been working with people in Sololo since 2018, focusing on forest conservation through community-led projects, improving livelihoods, and now, creating pathways for long-term.
The lack of official identity documents has limited the community’s ability to access public services and simple things like opening a bank account.
Understanding the importance of identity in unlocking access to services, Cool Earth facilitated a visit on the 9th of April 2025 with two NID officers to the community.
Over the course of the outreach, 75 adults came forward, many for the very first time, to register for their birth certificates and NID cards.
This initiative is part of Cool Earth’s broader mission to support rainforest communities by removing barriers to development and helping them secure their land, resources, and future.
By ensuring that community members can access legal identification, Cool Earth is empowering people to claim their rights and take part in decisions that affect their lives.
“No government services reach this place. This is the first time many of our people are being officially counted,” said Mathew Raubi, a community ref.
“We are thankful to Cool Earth for making this happen,’’ added Raubi.
This registration exercise is more than just paperwork — it is a step toward visibility, equality, and opportunity for one of PNG’s most isolated communities.