Untapped potentials at Eight-Mile

Normal, Papua
Source:

PATRICK TALU

A COMMUNITY education initiative for unemployed youth and mothers from settlements in Port Moresby has uncovered “huge and untapped potentials” in youth and mothers who can utilise their skills to sustain themselves.
The 2009 media award-winning project concept called the community sustainable arts education (CSAE), being piloted at the Eight-Mile settlement outside Port Moresby, has been hailed a success both locally and aboard for its uncovering of huge socio-economic potentials.
CSAE Eight-Mile coordinator Motsy David told The National last Friday that 150 unemployed youth ranging from seven to 30 years of age and mothers had been learning how to make craft, paint, drama, photograph and film.
Mr David described the youths as “untapped talents and potentials who could muster things quickly and specialise in their respective traits”.
Mr David said the project was an initiative of the Melanesian Institute of Communication Arts at the University of Papua New Guinea, where he is a  lecturer, and the PNG Law and Justice Sector through AusAID, to create a forum for youth to sustain themselves in meaningful ways.
“This initiative is to keep the unemployed youths busy and away from social problems, Mr David said.
“It has proven successful and we are planning to expand to other settlements and centres throughout the country once the project template is endorsed by sponsors.
“I am proud to see these youths keep themselves busy to sustain their lives while attracting hundreds of tourist to see and buy their products and  make money from them,” he added.
He stated that he did a presentation of the project concept in Australia last week and many corporate organisation were happy and willing to assist the project.
Adding to the positive developments, CSAE will also send its first four youths to the Monash Gallery in Queensland, Australia, to exhibit their products early next year.