Road to real independence

The National Weekender

WE HEARD again on Independence Day Prime Minister James Marape’s vision to make this the richest black Christian nation on the planet.
It is a bold proclamation from a politician but how to achieve that dream requires some really serious thinking.
A young woman who had recently completed a diploma programme recognised by the Global University for Lifelong Learning (Gull) said on the same day that we all have to accept the reality that we as a country we are far from being independent, when our people are struggling to make ends meet every single day since Sept 16, 1975.
Winsome Nenewa was among a few others who received awards from the London-based Gull and the Human Development Institute (HDI) in Port Moresby after undergoing Personal Viability Business Class corporate training.
For Nenewa and other Papua New Guineans who have attained training under HDI, Marape’s dream can only be achieved through change in mindsets. And PV Business Class training provides the avenue for that change to people’s thinking – from poor and working class thinking to rich business class thinking.
This year marks 24 years of HDI’s PVBS training programmes since 1995. The first class of 30 people from all walks of life had no idea that 24 years down the line this training would be the most transforming experience on can go through. Every year for HDI is always special because of the increasing number of lives being transformed through its training programmes.
This year is all the more special because of the MSME partnership programmes and corporate training that have taken the trainees on a pathway of learning and growing all for the sole purpose of helping people to be self-reliant and financially independent.

Partnership with micro bank
HD and the Women’s Micro Bank (WMB) signed a memorandum of agreement on Dec 5 last year and on Feb 15 this year, the implementation of their partnership agreement commenced with the presentation of 36 Mama Bank savings account passbooks to the first batch of students who did two weeks of training at HDI.
It is believed that this partnership will pave the way for holistic human development, entrepreneur development, business development and economic development on a sustainable model. This partnership will provide equal opportunities for everyone to become self-reliant and financially independent and to establish, develop, manage and own profitable businesses be they micro, small, medium or large enterprises.
Theresa Heni a PVBS level 2 student, hails from Baruni in Central. Though elderly, the energy and the motivation she got from learning about this MSME partnership programme between HDI and WMB has made her youthful. She is certain that with the proper training she received from HDI has guided her in keeping a proper track record in order for her to access loan facilities at WMB.
Veronica Maipo, a level 2 trainee, hails from the Finschafen in Morobe. She admitted that all her life she has searched for such a training so she can fully use the natural resources she has at home. After undergoing training at HDI she said with confidence that owning a farm and building my family house were within reach thanks to the partnership HDI and WMB.
“I cant wait to go back home and share this knowledge and skills I have gained from HDI and the financial assistance that WMB will provide – to see that our hard work and commitment pay off.Corporate Training
This year HDI has had the privilege of having three corporate clients’ staff training under master coach Samuel Tam, commonly known as Papa Sam. They are Women’s Micro Bank; Rapid Response and HDI itself.
Winsome Nenewa from HDI is one of the trainees who did the training and was awarded a diploma by the president of Gull, Dr Richard Teare, who travelled all the way from London to witness the graduation.
The diploma is a step to the degree programme.
“I am taking this profession degree not to prove to you or make you feel proud of me, but to prove to myself that I can do it. If you wait for others nothing gets done. Go and do it.
“The future of our great nation lies in the palm of our hands. We must all hold hands and work together for the common good. The only way Papua New Guineans can realise this (to become economically independent) is through HDI’s training programmes where our projects are people we help to transform mindsets that eventually translates into life.”
She quote an ancient proverb to drive home her message:
If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grains
If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow tress
If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people
HDI will soon provide training for LLGs and provincial administration staff of Manus. It is envisaged that the province will be an example for others to follow suit and train people using the HDI PV Business Scheme model for Papua New Guineans to think like business people and not merely as consumers or working class people.
This is certainly in line with the Prime Minister’s vision and call to Papua New Guineans to run successful businesses.

  • Article and picture courtesy of HDI