Port Moresby: Five West Papuan women were honored as they graduated with Certificates in Basic Cooking and Sewing from the Archdiocese Social Apostolate Centre (ASAC) Skills Training Centre in Port Moresby.
The graduation on Sunday 30th April 2021, saw a total of 41 women graduands, 23 graduating from the Basic Sewing course and 18 from Basic Cooking. This follows after ending an intense two-month training course that began in February sponsored by Caritas Papua New Guinea as part of its humanitarian program.
Officiating the program’s commencement was a mass that was celebrated by Fr. Martin We-en, Director of Radio Maria PNG. The program had Fr. Martin and ASAC Coordinator, Sr. Crystiliza Celestial, present the graduates with their certificates.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, ‘I am the way’ taken from (Jn 14:6), Fr Martin reminded graduating mothers that it was a privilege for them to attain such qualifications and said their achievement served as a standard for others to aspire to. “You are so privileged to attend the courses for two months and you became the light, the truth and the way to teach others. Share and contribute the knowledge and skills meaningfully with the people surrounding,” he said.
Mrs. Nelly Korwa, spokesperson of the West Papuan women, said that through this basic enhancement they should be able to economically sustain their lives to support their family and children. “We are so privileged with the consideration and opportunity given by the team of Caritas Papua New Guinea. We found out that through these basic skills we were now capable of bettering ourselves and the lives of those whom we care about,” she said.
She went on to say that, “As West Papuan refugees or naturalized PNG citizens we had an obligation to teach and share our knowledge and skills with our West Papuan Mothers in the camps and settlements.”
Donatus Nahak, Migrants & Refugees Officer of CPNG, hoped that there will be more good Samaritans and various stakeholders to assist and support displaced people in the country and one of the programs would be the training skills. “West Papua is one of the communities that we supported and these are our third batch that Caritas Papua New Guinea supported the West Papuan Women before and during SOE COVID 19.
He added that “Despite the pandemic and the challenging circumstances faced, our participants were very diligent to attend the courses five days a week for two months.”
A light provision of meals and refreshments ended the special occasion for the women.
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