Advocating for change – The National

**Youths from Komo-Margarima in Hela, participating in community service by cleaning the Komo Station. – Picture courtesy of MORRIS EDWIN**

Young people can become agents of change in their communities if they are mobilised to be innovative and forge peaceful environments, a youth empowerment advocate says.
Morris Edwin, 30, who lives at Komo Station, Komo-Margarima, Hela, is a full-time volunteer of the movement.
Edwin’s desire is to see peace and better opportunities for the young in Hela and has been busy advocating for social change since 2018.
He believes when young people are empowered, they can become agents of change in their communities.
Edwin, who advocates for youth empowerment and social change in Hela, has mobilised like-minded youths to do things differently and create peace in their area.
“Hela is generally infamous for its tribal fights and lawlessness,” Edwin said.
“Komo was regarded as a no-go zone because of the fights.
“Government services has not reached our communities.
“Young boys are carrying guns and smoking marijuana when they are supposed to be attending classes to further their education.
“Because of the disruptions caused by tribal fights and the threats associated, young women and girls who should be in school are at home.
“We have inherited all these problems from generations.

**Edwin (on bicycle) talking to youths before a sporting event in Komo Station. – Picture courtesy of MORRIS EDWIN**

“All these need to be changed and change can be achieved.
“We want to see a future with the young men and boys giving up firearms and marijuana for books and biros.
“We want to see people living freely and accessing all the basic education and health services that are available.
“We have to start somewhere, somehow.
“So we started with trading weapons for sporting balls.”
The team of like-minded youths led by Edwin started organising games (rugby touch and rugby league) in 2018 where communities assembled their teams to compete.
“Drop the weapons and pick up the ball” was the motto of the first year Christmas Cup which was supported by one of their brother, a medical doctor based in Port Moresby.
The one-week of rugby touch, aimed to test the interest of the people in sports, saw 10 teams from Komo participate.
“Exxon Mobil came onboard the initiative and built the rugby field and rugby league was included the following year.
“Not many games were played last year because of the coronavirus (Covid-19) but what has started has flourished.
With the help of established groups, awareness on peace and social issues, youth empowerment and community service activities were organised throughout Komo in the last two years.
For Edwin it seems he had found his calling in life.
His favorite Bible verse is Matthew 5:9 which reads: “Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children”.
In 2019, Edwin joined the United Nations Highlands Joint Programme as a peace advocate and is one of the leaders driving the Sanap Wantaim Campaign in the Highlands.
Edwin thanked community leaders for their support.