Authority, foundation launch scholarship programme

THE Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) and Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) have teamed up to deliver a scholarship programme that was launched at the Sogeri Primary School last weekend.
As partners for the first time, they are funding project fees for more than 1,850 primary school students from all eligible KTA wards along and around the Kokoda Track.
They intend to invest in education and ease the financial burden on families who rely on subsistence farming for their livelihoods in the remote areas of Northern and Central.
Julius Wargirai, the interim chief executive officer of KTA, said this was a strong investment in the future of their region and nation.
“The education of our children is one of the greatest gifts we can give to them.
“Once they get through primary school and go onto higher education, they can become valuable members of the communities and help take our nation forward.”
Wargirai said they collected money from tour operators for communities and it was one way small funds could have a big impact.
The scholarships are being supported with funding from KTA with the funds they have quarantined for the past few years for community development indicatives along the track, he said.