Bougainville Life Skills Training (SPD)
Fifty years ago, when its copper mines were in full operation, Bougainville Mission was one of the richest missions in Papua New Guinea. The local people enjoy income from mining and coconut plantations. When the mining companies left Bougainville most of the government services were not fully functioning, but the Seventh-day Adventist church provided many health services and education for the children. However, there was still a lack of skills training for members to become self-sufficient in farming and small businesses.
On a ten-day visit in late August, thirty-three church members from the Eastern Highlands Simbu Mission (EHSM) with skills in business, farming, and marketing flew to Bougainville. Their primary purpose was to train local church and community members in goat and honey farming, citrus growing, and organic farming of rice, potatoes, and round onions to help them generate income from their land.
Imported vegetables are very expensive but can easily be produced in PNG with the right life skills training. Pr. Mathew Kamo, Stewardship Director for EHSM said, “We should be encouraging and training local church members in farming many kinds of fruits and vegetables grown overseas, including nuts. Agriculture is what will save the community and the country and keep the population busy and engaged in utilizing their land to gain sustainable incomes.”
Pr Leslie Yamahune, PNGUM Stewardship Director, reported that “The life skills training programs were also used as outreach opportunities and were a blessing to all those involved from the local community. The team encouraged the people to serve God in their lives, homes and businesses. As time passes, we will also see increased faithfulness in worship through tithe and offerings.”
Mission-to-mission life skills training are happening right across Papua New Guinea. They are a key ingredient to the nation’s stewardship, discipleship, family, and youth ministries and also support the government’s goals to help all citizens realize the benefits of economic empowerment.
This story was written by Pastor Leslie Yamahune, PNGUM Stewardship Director, and submitted by Julien Archer, Stewardship Ministries director of the South Pacific Division.
