Grant to network groups

DIGICEL Foundation, through its community grants programme, aims to create a network of organisations to work on the frontlines of their communities to address health, education, social inclusion, sustainable livelihood and community safety.
Foundation chief executive officer Serena Sasingian said from the overwhelming number of applications they had received, they know there is a real need to support local community organisations with funding.
She said community grants were part of their range of initiatives to support local leaders and organisations to address problems in their communities.
Sasingian said the screening process proved that many organisations were achieving great things with little to no support from funders.
She said 10 applicants were successful and were awarded community grants.
“We are indeed pleased to announce and congratulate the following community leadership for change grants,” she said.
Programme awardees included: Outreach International PNG, Living Light Health Services, Ola Fou PNG Inc, Saua Development, Piku Biodiversity, Gulf Christian Health Services, Femili PNG, Haku Women’s Association Community Service Consultancy and PNG Tribal Foundation. Sasingian said out of the 10 recipients, three were bringing change to their communities by building safe houses, others were working on funding literacy projects, youth empowerment, waste management, water, sanitation and health and hygiene.
Gellie Akui, who represented the community service consultancy as a successful grant recipient, said the grant would greatly improve the effectiveness of literacy programmes implemented in the Sololo community in Milne Bay.
Head of the programme Diane Kambanie said organisations awarded the grants were usually those who would go unnoticed or fall short of qualifying for support with other larger organisations.
“The foundation believes in a hand-up approach and not creating a hand-out mentality,” she said. This year’s leadership for exchange grants is a pilot Digicel Foundation programme and its success is vital for continuation or expansion of the programme.
The foundation conducts a vigilant selection and assessment process and visitation by board members in strengthening partnership.
helps to ensure that they are doing all they can to build, foster growth of communities through the partnerships.