Americans support Voice programme with K85,000

Story by SALLYPOKITON
UPNG journalism student
THE Voice programme at the University of Papua New Guinea has witnessed more young people driven by purpose and confidence in their contribution to their communities.
The programme received a funding of US$40,000 (K84,925.69) from the United States embassy in Port Moresby.
Initially launched in 2007 at the UPNG campus, it has grown in membership and organises programmes and projects to address youth problems at grassroots level.
It runs programmes at the university such as community advocacy, rural challenge, clean-up campaign and the Dream programme which runs throughout the two semesters.
Executive director and founding member of the Voice Serena Sasingian said the programme in UPNG, Hanuabada village and a Morata community would be extended to students in high and secondary schools in the city.
“Our funding is mainly from the fundraisings done by students who were part of the programme as students, Bread for the World (a German donor) and the US Embassy,” Sasingian said.
She said projects carried out through the Dream programme included a clean-up campaign, maintenance of the children’s ward at the Port Moresby General Hospital, work with the PNG Christian community service Orphanage at Gerehu and visits to secondary schools.
Sasingian said the funds would also see a Dream school holiday programme from Jan 9-22 in which 100 high school students would take part in the Dream boot camp on Motupore island.
UPNG Vice-Chancellor Prof Ross Hynes said the programme was based on creating commitment and vision learning to develop future leaders for the country.