Bihute inmates showcase talents

Highlands, Normal
Source:

YVONNE HAIP

WORLD Food Day celebrations went well in Goroka, Eastern Highland province, last week. 
The day saw organisations involved in agriculture and livestock displaying some of their work to the public.
Prisoners from the Bihute Correctional Institute outside Goroka town, were no exception. 
Correctional Services officer Luwish Sakare, from the Bihute CS, said occasions such as the World Food Day provided opportunities for organisations like the Bihute jail to show the public what inmates hadbeen doing as part of the rehabilitation programme. 
Inmate Elis Kaupa was also there to display meri blouse, food baskets and string bags that they were taught at Bihute. 
She said organisations such as the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Goroka assisted in providing basic sewing classes to the inmates. 
Another organisation involved in helping women in communities is the Women in Agriculture Association (WAA EHP). 
Since its inception in 1995, there are about 30 groups in the five districts of Eastern Highlands with more than 150 women in each group. 
WAA EHP member Jennifer Kena said the association has helped to market their products both locally and internationally, making them less dependent on their husbands. 
She said an example was WAA EHP supplying flowers through its horticulture programme to a buyer in Port Moresby and generating much needed income for their individual families.
These associations with their programmes have helped many  women in the districts to be self reliant and productive bringing about a sense of independence to them.