Settlers laud training

THE Port Moresby Marea Women’s Association (MWA) of Gulf ended a two-week leadership training workshop last Wednesday.
During the occasion, tears were shed by young mothers who did not have the privilege to return to formal education and training after dropping out of school.
Even male youths, who also took part, expressed their gratitude through music expressing their thanks for what they considered to be the first training of its kind for them.
It was revealed that from the workshop, participants learnt to manage organisations, families and themselves.
The women’s concerns related to youths’ alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment and teenage pregnancy and unplanned marriages which had caused a lot of problems.
The Marea people are from the Popo constituency in Ihu, Gulf.
For two years, the Marea community in Port Moresby had been meeting to find ways of being involved in LNG-related activities, which would also affect them to some extent.
The women’s request to Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for a community living skills training was approved and the training held.
The Port Moresby-based members of MWA are offsprings of settlers who had moved to Port Moresby as result of WWII and the Hiri trade.
Many of them had been employed at a Steamships sawmill at Erima.
They had acquired blocks and have been there since.
The women and youths who attended the workshop are second, third and fourth generations of the Marea people at the Erima settlement.