25-year-old Kurere Matanzana from Bilia village in Madang Province is not waiting around for free handouts or help to come from the provincial government or anyone for the matter and is taking matters into his own hands by coming up with alternatives to help his local community in Madang.
The young man from Madang who graduated this year from the University of Papua New Guinea with a Bachelors’ Degree in Economics is currently a Graduate Management Trainee Data Analyst with the Steamships Trading Company.
Mr Matanzana whilst in his final year of studies at the University of Papua New Guinea was awarded a Kokoda Track Leadership Scholarship (Archer Leader) and it is through this program that he is now able to contribute meaningfully and positively towards his local community.
Last weekend, the KTF Archer Leader delivered his first ever Kokoda Track Foundation Project to his local Umun Dalam community in Ward 20 of the South Ambenob LLG.
With the funding received from his 2021 Scholarship Grant, Kurere was able to work together with his local community to complete a classroom which will house a library and an office for students and teachers of the early childhood education centre at the Umun Dalam community.
“Upon receiving my grant and through consultation with my small brother Herman Namora, I decided to help build a classroom for the early learning center back in my community.”
“The locals through their councilor Mr. Jonah Gulul had set up the foundations of the building and I used my grant to purchase 22 sheets of roofing irons to complement the project.”
“The classroom once completed will house hundreds of students, provide a conducive environment for learning through reading and serve as an office space for the teachers,” Kurere said.
Prior to the presentation of the materials, the team also used the opportunity to carry out awareness and engage the locals in discussions surrounding law and order, health, education, environment, and leadership.
According to Kurere, the project is in line with one of the four pillars of the KTF which is education and contributes towards achieving the strategic goals of the organization in improving lives and futures, programs & partnerships, building sustainability and a strong Kokoda Track Foundation.
Kurere thanked Dr Genevieve (CEO KTF) and the KTF team in Australia and Port Moresby as well as local village councillor and Chief Gulul for making the delivery of the project possible.
Chief Gulul also expressed his gratitude and said such initiatives by international organizations like the KTF are rare and he counted himself and his ward blessed and privileged to be given this kind gesture of support amidst the domestic economic downturn.
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