Commission continues support for rural areas

THE National Cultural Commission continues to support people in rural areas to display and keep alive their cultures, says executive director Steven Kilanda.
Kilanda, last week, joined the Nete-Lyaim people in the Lagaip-Porgera electorate in their cultural festival.
The commission gave K3,000 to the Asaro mudman cultural group who had walked to Nete-Lyaim after learning of the show.
It gave K10,000 to the Nete-Lyaim Cultural Primary School to develop its cultural education programmes.
Nete-Lyaim is located along the border with Enga and East Sepik.
The people rebuilt their rural airstrip and the Rural Airstrip Agency approved its use by small aircraft.
“This is the great initiative of the Nete Lyaim people and we are happy to work with them,” Kilanda said.
“Teachers are teaching cultural education as one of the courses.
“This is the first time children are in the classroom because of culture. About 30,000 people live in Nete Lyaim with 15,000 children not having access to education. This is a breakthrough for them.”
Kilanda appealed to Nete-Lyaim people to do away with tribal fighting and embrace culture to see developments taking place.
“Culture will open doors and bring visitors and people who will then help you bring other services while seeing how you are living here,” he said.