Artist thanks group

 A handprint artist was delighted when a laplap he had designed was chosen by the Games Organising Committee for Prince Andrew.

The prince opened the 15th version of the Games at the Sir John Guise Stadium on July 4.

Laskam Kerahu, from Kokoda in Northern, thanked City Mission PNG – a non-governmental organisation – for giving him a chance to expose his ability in hand printing.

The 24-year-old told The National that when he heard about the organisation, he walked from Kokoda to Port Moresby in 2009 to try out his interest.

Dorothy Koch-Waluta, the executive assistant of City Mission PNG, said Kerahu now managed one of mission’s programmes – Malolo Printing – assisting other youths to establish their creativity through printing.

Koch-Waluta said Kerahu never received a formal education but had talent that needed support and exposure.

She said the founder and chief executive officer of City Mission, Larry George, started the organisation after seeing the pressing need to get young men off the streets and those in settlements involved in crime so they could be engaged.

The youths were able to print smart designs on laplaps and side-sling bags  and  sell them.

“These kinds of programmes need more funding support to empower youths not only in printing but in painting, carpentry, plumbing and mechanics to sustain themselves,” Koch-Waluta said.

She said the organisation was running solely on personal and corporate contributions through projects and annual support from international donor partners.