By EILEEN TUGUM KOLMA
The people of Ambunti can now experience one convenience which until October 10 has been denied them.
They don't have to take the long, expensive and often arduous trip to their provincial capital Wewak town, to call a loved one, check the world market prices for commodities, or find a market for their arts and crafts or crocodile skin.
All they have to do now is paddle a short distance by canoe, or jump on a 50 toea or K1 motor ride to their very own Ambunti government station, and at less than K20, do all that from the Apo Community Resource Center.
They can even learn to type, to use a computer, read and research and photocopy that fading school certificate or important document.
The Apo Community Resource Centre, an initiative of local non-government organization HELP Resources, was established with funding from Oxfam Australia.
The resource centre is a welcome development amongst the 55,000 plus population (2000 census).
As one user said: "Mi hamamas olsem mipela gat dispela service. Mi pilim olsem mi stap long taun (I am very proud we have this service. It's like being in town)."
And that is exactly what the Resource Centre has done - brought an essential service that is enjoyed mostly in urban centres to the rural people.
Ambunti, is part of Ambunti Drekikir District. It is accessible by light aircraft which takes 35 minutes or an eight to ten hour ride by road to Pagwi in the Wosera -Gawi District, and a further one hour by boat up the Sepik River. Most people chose to travel by road due to the high cost of air travel.
The Apo Resource Centre is situated on the hilltop overlooking the Sepik River and the Ambunti airstrip and government station, in a green building named the Green house, where it catches wonderful breezes and provides the perfect view and atmosphere for reflection and learning.
Under a clear sky on October 10, the community and its leaders which included district government officers and invited guests gathered under the big rain tree by the Sepik River near the jetty with the missing planks as the singsing group danced and sang their traditional song to welcome and lead the officials up the hill for the opening.
The people braved the heat of the scorching sun, with the lucky ones taking cover under the shade of trees, and some under their umbrellas to witness this new development. It was a happy occasion with Apo Youth - another initiative facilitated by HELP Recourses - and their Oxfam 1 Speaker Band, leading the celebrations.
The youth performed songs written by themselves and awareness drama on HIV & AIDS, showing incredible talent that informed and entertained the crowd.
The Centre houses a library and a tele-centre that will provide photocopying, telephone, email and internet and desktop publishing services. It will also serve as the base for HELP's awareness programs on sustainable livelihoods, gender and human rights training, men and boys behaviour change training, and HIV and AIDS awareness.
The Centre was jointly opened by HELP Director Chris Maingu ad Oxfam Country Representative Eileen Kolma last Wednesday amid much celebration after which guests and communities were given a tour of the facilities.
Mr Maingu told the community: "You don't have to travel long distance and spend a lot of money now to get your photocopies or call of get information. It's now your doorstep."
He also acknowledged the "excellent cooperation and partnership between the community and district administration" during the setting up of the Centre and urged this spirit to be continued.
Mrs Kolma said: "Information and communication is an essential service that must be made available to rural areas. You are fortunate to have this service where others are still waiting for it."
She said Oxfam was committed to empowering local communities and was proud to be a partner with HELP Resources and to have contributed to the establishment of the Resource Centre for the people of Ambunti.
She urged the community to continue to work together to support the centre and the work that would be carried out of it.
HELP is establishing a similar centre in Maprik, also with support from Oxfam. It is not opened yet but its customers are increasing.
On a visit there two weeks ago I met a teacher with a handful of documents. He said: "I have come to photocopy our school papers. It is the only service we have and we at the school are very glad for it because we don't have to waste time going to Wewak."
The Maprik centre is operating out of the Nana Kundi Crisis Counseling Centre which is is also supported by Oxfam, and is providing essential counseling services which would otherwise be non-existent.
 

 

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