Group gets mill for housing project

The National Weekender
HOUSING

A COFFEE cooperative in the rugged mountains of Okapa in the Eastern Highlands is now empowered to kick-start its first housing project.
Henagaru Village Development Cooperative (HVDC) is ready to build homes for its members, thanks to Saemaul Undong (SMU) Korea who presented a brand new Lucas sawmill to the group on Wednesday, Sept 2 in Henagaru village.
The presentation was witnessed by the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) team led by Industry Operations Manager Steven Tumae, Farmer Training Manager Matei Labun, SMU Director Enoch Yabimo and his officers, and the Henagaru community.
Yabimo congratulated the group for their progress thus far in its community projects. “I thank CIC and other partners for supporting this community from the start as we can witness the changes happening today.”
He told the community to take ownership of what was presented to them and use it wisely for the group and community’s benefit. “Whatever the Government, CIC, or SMU gives you, I urge you to look after it well and it will assist you in the long run.”
Yabimo told the villagers that the sawmill was a gift from the Korean government and he was happy to present it to HVDC and the Henagaru community to fulfil its plan to change the community through its housing project.
Tumae spoke highly of HVDC and congratulated their chairman Samson Jack for his commitment and time in ensuring the group progressed to where it was now.
“What you have now through this group will enable you to solicit support and funding for your community projects rather than operating individually.”
Tumae urged young people to support their elders and parents by going back and tilling the land if they were not successful in finding formal employment. “There is money on the land if you work hard, you will not go wrong.”
He acknowledged the support of SMU Korea for empowering the group with their water supply project, resource centre and now with the Lucas Mill.
HVDC farmer Ive Kabuiye expressed gratitude and that of his fellow members. “With the presentation of this sawmill, we want our village to become a model village for nearby villages to see and be part of. We have struggled for too long and this will enable us to make the changes we have been longing for to happen in the next two to three years.”
Female farmer, Elma Steve, could not contain the joy of having the sawmill presented to them.
“On behalf of all the mothers, I would like to thank SMU for this sawmill. In the past, when we want to build a house, we carry our bush knives and axes and go with our husbands to cut trees and carry all the materials back,” she said.
“We sweated and it is painful doing all this work. With this assistance, you are now removing all the hard work from our hands and we can easily get timbers for our permanent houses.”
SMU Project Coordinator Jeremiah Konisimo said that through CIC, SMU worked with HVDC from the beginning. “SMU has not signed any MoAs or MoUs with HVDC but has operated on trust and understanding with the group.”
He told HVDC that every project that has eventuated in the village was at their request; SMU only facilitated funding for the projects.
Konisimo announced that an imminent MOA is expected to be signed between GoPNG and the Korean government once all legal documents are finalised. He said one that is completed; the SMU project will expand and assist other communities in the country.
CIC’s farmer training manager Matei Labun said Eastern Highlands was fortunate to have SMU Korea roll out its programme in the province.
“You are fortunate and you can already see the changes happening in your community.
“You have started small but you have progressed to another level. You have a change of mindset and you are willing to work together for the good of this group. I want to thank SMU Korea for reaching out to a third world country like PNG, and for making a difference in a rural community like HVDC,” Labun said.

  • Story and picture from PNG Coffee Industry Corporation media unit.