Ambassadors impact schools, communities

THREE top PNG athletes who travelled to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on their first mission to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) made an impact on some of the region’s communities and schools.
The SDG champions were in the province on a four-day visit were welcomed by staff and students at Hutjena Secondary School in Buka, Tupukas and Peter Lahis primary schools in Arawa and Dapera Primary School in Panguna.
They returned to Port Moresby on Monday.
The SDG Champions in former national cricket captain Christopher Amini, shooter Tania Mairi Mahuru and PNG netball captain Lua Rikis, attended the Bougainville Community Rugby Festival.
They were accompanied by male and female rugby captains from the Bougainville Rugby Union Club (BRUC) to raise awareness of the SDGs and peace.
It was Amini’s first time to travel to Bougainville to share his experience in sports and advocate for the SDGs.
“I have learned from this trip that there is a lot of work to be done in our country to improve the awareness of the SDGs among our people especially students, youth in communities and in rural areas,” Amini said.
“As sports people, we have the potential to influence a lot of people, not just our own families, but in communities too,”Pepes captain Lua Rikis said.
“We have the responsibility to raise awareness on the sustainable development goals that affect all of us. This my way of giving back to the community and be involved in the SDGs.”
The BRUC captains were advised to help them carry on the awareness in schools and communities as part of an initiative to advocate for peace, prosperity and sustainable development in the region.
Bougainville rugby development manager Kelly Havara thanked the Autonomous Bougainville government and UNDP for their support in bringing the athletes speak to them.
“This is a huge step forward for us and we will continue from now on to reach out more.”