AusAID gives more than K500,000 to East New Britain communities

By ABIGAIL APINA
MORE than K500,000 of Aus­AID funding was released last Friday for eight community development projects in East New Britain under the Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen small grants scheme.
These grants will allow community-based organisations to respond to the needs of selected communities in the province.
These projects include the construction of two classrooms, a resource centre, a piggery project, two water, sanitation and hygiene projects and a coaching and administration course for a sports association.
The two classrooms will serve Bravin Play School, in Birar ward, with an AusAID contribution of K62,114 and Ralalar Ward Development Committee, with an AusAID’s contribution of K78,676, in Kokopo district.
In Pomio district, more than 4,000 people will benefit from AusAID’s K76,403 for the establishment of the Tavolo Resource Centre, which will provide small scale business activities and life skills training.
In Pomio, people from the Sivauna and Mauna wards will benefit from the two water, sanitation and hygiene projects, which received K78,576 and K74,340 respectively through their ward development communities.
Kokopo’s Vunaubar ward will receive K78,881 for water project.
In Gazelle district, the Foundation for Rural Women’s Sustainable Livelihood received K59,932 for a piggery project.
Utmei Youth and Sport Association in Gazelle district received K67,244 for a coaching and administration course to enable it to continue its community awareness programmes on healthy living, HIV, family violence, drug and alcohol abuse.
The seven successful communities received the funding deeds from the representatives and officials last Friday.
Deputy Governor Boniface Setavo, AusAid’s representative Paul Bridgman and SPSN deputy programme director Martin Syder officially handed over approved funding deeds to the seven successful organisations in Kokopo on Friday.
While thanking AusAid for its support through SPSN, Setavo told the grant recipients they were now partners with the provincial government and AusAid in building their communities, economies and families in line with development visions.
“The best way you can thank AusAid is by putting these grants to good use,” Setavo said.
Bridgman said SPSN was not only about grants but more importantly about partnerships.
“Partnerships mean provinces and local level governments are responsible for delivering essential services, but they can’t do it without the input and support of community groups as well as churches and donors,” Bridgman said.
It is understood that through SPSN, 25 small grants have been signed in Oro, Eastern Highlands and Sandaun provinces.
A further 37 are expected to sign in September, including groups from Manus, East New Britain, West New Britain and Milne Bay.
It is understood that AusAid will provide K50 million through SPSN in small, medium and large grants over the next two years to help civil societies and non-government organisations deliver community development projects.