Developer plays role in raising malaria, dengue awareness

 IN villages near the liquefied national gas (LNG) plant site, malaria and dengue fever affect thousands of people every year.

In an effort to combat these diseases, the PNG LNG developer is actively involved in creating awareness about mosquito-borne diseases through local schools.

To date, the project has developed 13 informative worksheets on mosquito-borne diseases and 20,000 copies have been distributed to the elementary and primary schools of Boera, Lealea, Papa and Porebada in Central.

PNG LNG Toktok newspaper pullout, the worksheets are age-appropriate, designed to engage students in an easy-to-understand way, and to help teachers educate students about how to protect themselves and their families from these diseases.

Kute Nokae, teacher at Porebada Primary School, says the worksheets are very helpful.

“We integrate these worksheets into out lessons and they provide students with the knowledge of how to think smartly about malaria.”

The worksheets also feature the well-loved Toea character, a young PNG boy who travels throughout PNG. Toea helps relay many essential messages to children, including the personal actions they can take to help combat mosquito-borne diseases.

Dorah Pala, principal of Porebada Primary explains that the worksheets are a great teaching tool.

“The children learn ways of preventing malaria and dengue, while also improving their education.

“The teachers are motivated to use these materials, and the children feel a sense of accomplishment when they complete the exercise. We are so grateful for the support of the project.”