Church rehab programme turns five

 By SONIA KENU 

THE Sacred Heart Brothers Socay Training Institute in Port Moresby celebrated its fifth year of operation last Saturday. 

Save our children and youth (Socay) is a rehabilitation programme that took in ex-prisoners, orphans and those that did not have money to complete their formal education. 

Principal Ludwina Bogea told The National that the programme started in 2007 as a workshop for youths but she saw a need to continue so they integrated the short courses into programmes such as integral human development and others.  

Bogea said the programme is the brainchild of Fr William Libiert, co-founder of the Sacred Heart Brothers. 

“We consulted the Community Development Department at that time and established Socay in 2008,” Bogea said.

“We take in those that have dropped out from school and those that have never been to school and we try to give them hope. 

“In 2008 we had 15 youths and since then the number of intakes has increased and this year we have about 208 students. 

 “Since then Caritas Australia has been the only sponsor, otherwise we have individuals who support by sponsoring awards for the students and others who volunteer to teach. 

“The Government has never helped in any way. Much of the support we gain from the surrounding community plus our established networks. 

“Students that take up technical skills courses use scrap metals to make tables and other items. I tell them they can turn this scrap into something useful.”