Local steps up to assist school

KAIRUKU-Hiri MP Paru Aihi’s failure to deliver on his promise to Kivori Primary School in his district in Central has prompted a local villager to step in to help his people.
During the school’s cultural day last October, Aihi had promised to build a double classroom worth K100,000 at the school, which serves children from local villages in the area.
But that has not eventuated and local businessman John Vaki took it on himself to help the children in his area.
At a small but brief presentation held over the weekend at Kivori village, Vaki delivered copies of bank cheques that have been paid out to hardware and building supplies companies for the supply of materials for the school classroom.
On hand to receive the cheques were the school board chairman Oa Vaura and secretary Leo Ume.
As a son of one of Papua New Guinea’s pioneer teachers, the late Eki Vaki, Vaki said: “The investment in the development of our children of today is the foundation block to a healthy, wealthy, and educated population of the future.”
He said the people of Waima and Kivori and the rest of Kairuku-Hiri wanted development so the community would benefit and not just lip service.
“What we are witnessing now is the rampant distribution of materials such as roofing iron, fishing nets, dinghies, solar power units, generators, freezers, trade store goods and cash to individuals and so called ‘chief systems’ that are being set-up on the eve of the 2012 elections,” he said.
Vaki said would continue to solicit funds from other agencies and donors, including the government, to help renovate, refurbish and restock aid posts in Waima and Kivori villages.