Don Bosco Technical Secondary School in Vanimo in the West Sepik province has been transformed into a digital hub thanks to the EU-STREIT PNG Programme.
This program provided the school with new computers, printers, and solar power to create a Resource Centre that is helping students, farmers, and small business owners in the region.
With access to digital tools and training, the Centre is bridging the gap between rural communities and the digital world.
The school was previously struggling with old and broken computers, which made it difficult to offer quality education and community training.
According to Principal Ms. Majuna Chamilou, “We had only ten working computers, and up to fifty students had to share one machine. It was hard to teach, and many of our community programs couldn’t run.”
The school’s dedication to serving its students and the community never wavered, but the lack of equipment held them back from offering more.
The introduction of the Resource Centre has completely changed the school’s ability to provide education and community support.
Now equipped with 15 new computers and more technology on the way, the school is a digital hub for Vanimo.
The Centre also runs on solar power, ensuring it remains functional even when power outages occur.
This has been a game-changer for both students and local farmers who rely on the Centre for digital skills and business development training.
Teachers at the school received specialized *Training of Trainers (ToT)* from the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, equipping them with knowledge on digital skills, e-commerce, and sustainable business planning. The training has enabled them to better teach students and help local farmers and agri- preneurs improve their businesses using digital tools.
The Resource Centre is not just helping students but is also empowering farmers and small business owners in the region.
Farmers are learning how to use their phones for online banking, advertising products, and reaching more customers.
Over 100 agri-preneurs have already attended training sessions at the Centre, learning about e-commerce, agrometeorology services, and financial literacy.
The impact is clear: local farmers are more connected, productive, and ready to grow their businesses in new ways.
The school’s curriculum has also improved thanks to the Centre.
With more computers, teachers can deliver the Standard Based Curriculum (SBC), which focuses on digital literacy. This ensures that students are getting a modern education that prepares them for a future in a digital world.
Looking ahead, Don Bosco Technical Secondary School plans to expand the Resource Centre further, adding more computers and even building new labs to meet the growing demand.
The school is also exploring ways to generate income from the Centre, such as offering printing services and internet access to the community.
These efforts aim to ensure the Centre remains financially sustainable for years to come.
The EU-STREIT PNG Programme is the European Union’s largest grant-funded initiative in Papua New Guinea, focusing on improving economic opportunities in rural areas, especially for cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries.
By providing digital training and infrastructure, the program is helping rural communities in East Sepik and West Sepik provinces thrive.
In the words of Principal Majuna, “The Resource Centre has brought new life to our school and our community. We are helping people gain skills they never thought they could have.”