Cooperative helps members

 By ZACHERY PER

SMALL coffee farmers aligned with the Apo Angra Angna Kange (AAAK) Coffee Cooperative are being assisted with their children’s school fees through the savings from their earnings on coffee sale.

AAAK Cooperative paid out to them what had been saved from the sale of their coffee.

General manager Brian Kuglame told the farmers that people needed to be educated on the cash mobilisation and savings culture.

“Every organisation needs to encourage stakeholders to take advantage of the economic boom and adopt the savings culture,” he said.

“AAAK is setting a good precedent for Papua New Guineans with a similar mind-set to expand the concept in their respective provinces and districts.” 

He said AAAK was setting an example on how organisations should help rural people participate in economic development.

Angra Cooperative spokesman Ben Siwi since they joined AAAK in 2000, saved money from the sales of coffee and were able to pay school fee from their savings.

“I am happy with AAAK for the initiative. I will remain with AAAK until I hand over to my children,” Siwi said.

Kange Cooperative’s Nanmogl Kundi said they were lucky to join the corporative what was looking after their money.

Bob Hantive from Apo Cooperative said AAAK supported them on school fees, medical expenses and roofing iron for their homes.

Peter Diria from the Agna Cooperative in Jiwaka and Penny Ginaronde from Marawaka in Eastern Highlands said AAAK helped parents save money from the coffee sales.