City pre school under observation

Normal, Papua
Source:

The National, Monday 3rd June 2013

 By KESSIE TADAP 

THE Marinae Pre school is one of two suburban institutions to be given a six-month observation period before qualifying as a WeCare group in Port Moresby.

WeCare is an organisation set up for women and children at risk and works with these vulnerable groups in settlements.

Josephine Dromenge of WeCare told The National during a visit to the pre-school that after it was registered with the non-profit organisation for assistance, the school would undergo observation before it was given full support. 

The school was started in 2011 by ex-prisoner Thomas Elton Marinae with wife Philomena to deal with problems in the community through rehabilitation programmes. 

They witnessed the plight of children in the Tokarara area who could not go to school because of space, fees and transportation problems. 

Some were neglected by parents and guardians.

The couple started the school in the hope of giving an opportunity in life through education for the unfortunate street children. 

Due to lack of support in the community, the school was closed last year but re-opened in April this year with an enrollment of 38 students.

Initially, the school depended entirely on volunteers to operate. 

However, it now has two teachers and an assistant who were being paid by a kind-hearted individual in the community.

Dromenge said the grace period was to assess the school before it could be classed as a WeCare group to qualify for support from the non-profit organisation.