NGO volunteers train

 VOLUNTEERS from two non-governmental organisation groups, PNG Bible Translation Association in Ukarumpa in Goroka and PNG Bible Society in Lae are making it possible for villagers in the rugged hinterland area of Yamap to read and write.

The team, with the help of a local evangelist and adult literacy advocate Ronnie S Isaac, ran a two-week workshop from Feb 10-21 at Gieyamsao Edwick Bayer Conference Centre in Salamaua, Morobe. 

Interested people came from villages in Laukanu, Laugui, Asini, Buakap, Godogasul in Kaiwa and as far as Buang in Bulolo.

Seventeen participants attended and they were given training and guidance on how to run basic adult literacy classes when they go back to their own areas.

Isaac, who has been actively running adult literacy classes in ELC PNG in the Yabim district and in the Salamaua LLG since 2010 said there was a need for people in his area to know the basic skills of reading, writing and simple arithmetic.

 He said: “The government is allocating funding to support local mini projects and small and medium enterprises and it is asking people to write their project proposals and submit them. How can they do that when they cannot read and write? 

“I call on Salamau LLG and Huon-Gulf district to help assist the people.”