The world market price for cocoa is always good but it tends to double towards the end of the year. This creates more of an incentive for local farmers, as Bukawa Cocoa Farmer, Mr. Jeffrey Bomson explained. Speaking from his small cocoa block in Bukawa Village, Nawaeb District in the Morobe Province, Mr. Bomson said at this time of the year, he bags almost K900 for 63.5kg of cocoa. “This time of the year is not a high yield season, so farmers fetch a higher price for their produce.” This favorable condition is such a great motivator that Mr. Bomson has begun a nursery, to supply cocoa seedlings to the other villagers to start out their own cocoa blocks. He also plans to carry out a cocoa growing training course to encourage more villagers to get into cocoa farming. “If we can have about 100 cocoa farmers produce about 200kgs of cocoa each that will be sufficient to load up a container for export.” As well as starting a nursery, Mr. Bomson does research and experiments with different methods of producing the best dried cocoa beans for export. “From my own research, I have found that drying cocoa beans in the sun is more efficient then hot-air dried beans.” “I have experimented with this method of drying cocoa beans, and I have observed that it is less labour-intensive while producing the same quality of dried cocoa beans.” Based off of the basis of his research and experiments, through improved and smart production in a rural setting, the rural farmers can expect to export their own produce and make better returns, instead of selling to dried cocoa bean buyers for a lower price. “Yumi ken wokim (we can do it),” Mr. Bomson declared. “If the old ways of producing dried cocoa beans is not working out well, we need to look for better ways to do our work.” He said cocoa farming, being labour intensive, is a discouraging factor for the locals. However, through cooperation and new and improved cocoa farming techniques, they can streamline the process as well as increase their returns.

Some say a mother is the stronghold of a family, which is true. Mothers go through so much to support us and it all begins the day they hold a bundle of joy in their arms but who takes care of mothers? Who supports them in their time of need? Some mothers are fortunate to have families supporting them and some struggle to get their footing in this life. The Huggies team brought joy to mothers in the post-natal ward of the Port Moresby General Hospital as they presented them with Huggies gift packs containing diapers, baby wipes, Kotex wings sanitary pads and congratulation cards on Thursday, 28th December 2023. Huggies has been donating to the maternity ward since 2019 and this year marks the fifth year of this initiative as per an agreed partnership they have with the hospital. According to the team, for the last five years, the Huggies maternity kits were helpful to a lot of mothers in need, especially basic essentials to take care of themselves and their babies. “It brings joy to the team when seeing the smiles on the mothers’ faces happily receiving the gifts.” Furthermore, the Huggies team is happy to support mothers in the community by sharing the small gesture of love with them during the festive season every year.

Mr. Claudius Tally from Eriku in Lae, Morobe Province, is the 2nd Winner of three Isuzu DMax Double Cab Utes, in CPL’s Scratch and Win Nationwide Christmas Promotion. He spent just K200 for household items at City Pharmacy Eriku and was given four Scratch Cards, and much to his surprise and excitement, the last of the scratch cards revealed he had won. “I was shocked to see that the fourth card I scratched had the word vehicle written on it. I had heard about CPL’s Scratch and Win promotion on social media, but I did not believe I’d be a winner. It was only when the store manager asked for my details that I started to process that I had won”, an excited Claudius said. “My friends and I have been planning to start an SME and we needed a vehicle which we have been saving up for. Winning this vehicle means so much to me and I could not wait to tell my friends when I won. Thank you, City Pharmacy!” Claudius was visiting Lae on a short break when he became the lucky winner. CPL Group Manager Marketing and Communications Chistopher Lam said since CPL kicked off the Scratch and Win Promotion on November 8th, hundreds of their Stop & Shop and City Pharmacy customers nationwide have been winning various prizes ranging from Noodles and Dining Sets to Smart TV’s, Appliances and Refrigerators. They also had 3 winners for One Year of Groceries. “There are only a few days left in the promotion and won more vehicle out there.” To participate, shoppers will need to spend K50 or more, making them eligible to receive a Scratch and Win card. These cards offer an opportunity to win instant prizes, including a wide range of rewards, such as electrical appliances, homeware, kitchenware items, water bottles, and more. Major prizes include three Isuzu D-Max vehicles, of which two have now been won was won, making the total prize pool exceed one million kina. The promotion will continue to run until December 31, 2023, ensuring a joyous and rewarding holiday season for all.

Located on the border of Teptep and YUS LLG of Madang and Morobe provinces, Ozusage Primary School faces significant challenges in procuring essential materials for classrooms and teachers' residences, according to Head Teacher Goyu Maine. With a total enrolment of 298 students, the school requires an extensive effort to transport building materials from Lae Hardware stores to the mountainous location. Despite its picturesque setting, the school struggles with logistical and financial obstacles in acquiring necessary resources. Head Teacher, Goyu Maine told PNG HAUSBUNG that over K30, 000 is spent on purchasing building materials, transporting them to Goroka, and chartering flights into Teptep airstrip and the financial strain is exacerbated by the fact that a single charter flight costs the school K30, 000. “The Morobe Provincial Government had given K200, 000 this year that we have used to built three new staff houses.” This year, Ozusage Primary School has chartered four flights to bring in building materials for staff houses which illustrates the persistent challenges faced by the institution. “We still need curriculum materials for the students and for infrastructure, we need more materials to build staff houses.” Despite these challenges, the school has successfully completed four permanent staff houses for teachers. “I have seven teachers in the teaching staff of which four teachers already have permanent housing and we are looking to start building three more permanent houses for the teachers who still reside in makeshift dwellings constructed from bush materials.” Mr. Goyu Maine is from Ozusage village with 15 years teaching experience and has been the Head Teacher for the Ozusage Primary school for the past 3 years. “Our primary school is level four but it has been elevated up to a level five school so our 2024 subsidy payments will be done as a level five school subsidy.” “Resources books, exercise books and other materials for students to work with is a challenge that we face constantly.” In addition to the logistical hurdles, the school contends with a shortage of curriculum materials. Maine stated in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG that Ozusage relies on outdated Outcome Based Education (OBE) materials for the new Standard Based Curriculum (SBC), as materials for SBC have not reached remote locations like Ozusage. “When the Government introduced the OBE curriculum, the school had all the resources for it but now that the government has introduced SPC, it has been a struggle to teach the students.” Students endure a journey of at least one to two hours on foot to reach Ozusage, situated at the top of a mountain with breathtaking views of Teptep station and Gangulut Health Centre. “With this curriculum it is difficult to reach all the students so whatever little we have, we are using it with the help of the OBE curriculum to teach the students.” Ozusage Primary School's commitment to overcoming obstacles and providing quality education is evident in its accomplishments, underscoring the resilience of both educators and students in the face of adversity and the school continues to strive for excellence as it navigates logistical challenges and seeks to improve its infrastructure and educational resources. Meanwhile Maine mentioned that he was grateful for the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program that has come into the school as it may play a big role for the school in the future. “I’m happy with the Tree Kangaroo Conservation for bringing this program to the school and it’s good that they have made this connection so if we face problems in the future, we can go through TKC to seek funding from potential clients. “

Alotau has seen a boom in Tourism this year, particularly since there have been a multitude of international cruise ships calling to port in the Milne Bay Provincial Capital. This positive outlook was provided by the main man behind the Alotau Tourism Bureau (ATB), Acting Manager Mr. Modakula Kunuyobu. He said this year alone, they saw 52 registrations of SME Tour Operators; more than they have seen in the past years. “People that run PMVs and Taxis are also getting involved in tourism, by providing their services to the cruise ship tourists.” Mr. Kunuyobu explained that the current state of tourism in Alotau, stemmed from developing an authentic and Milne Bay focused product, in the past 5 years. “We can’t offer other water products like glass bottom boat tours or skiing… These are expensive and we don’t have the equipment for these kinds of tours.” “What we can offer is our Culture, our cultural lifestyle, local cuisine and traditional dances. And we can market these products easily online.” He went on to explain the informal manner in which they have been offering these cultural products to the cruise ship tourists. “So what we have been doing is having our youth ambassadors from the different cultural villages around Alotau, write down on placards, the products they are offering and they then set themselves up at the wharves to meet the cruise ship tourists.” “And when the tourists disembark, they can see what is been offered and they can then pick which tour to go on.” He said they plan to convert an old warehouse at the main Alotau seaport, into a showroom of sorts, where the local tourism SMEs can have a place to do a proper setup with displays of their products, as well as posters and brochures. This year, Alotau played host to a total of 34 international cruise ships and there will be an increase in this number come the New Year; a situation that the ATB Acting Manager said has had a positive influence on the people. “The locals continue to practice their traditions; this is creating sustainable tourism as well as helping them maintain their culture and traditions.” “They understand what tourism can and has done for them and they have become proactive in their approach towards the concept.” Mr. Kunuyobu said the development they are seeing is two-fold; in the space of tourism and also in that of the human resources of the Alotau and he is looking forward to more business in the New Year.

Hela Province was in high spirits recently, with a mass graduation ceremony coupled with the voluntary surrender of firearms. These events were commended by James Marape who attended these events in person, where he praised the Hela Governor Philip Undialu for his exemplary leadership. Over 3,000 young people in second-chance education and graduated from their Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and small business training courses as well as high school completion through the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) programme, took place in Tari. “On Christmas Day, we witnessed a graduation programme that brought back many people to school through TVET, small business training and FODE, providing second-chance opportunities for over 3,000 young individuals.” After Prime Minister Marape and his delegation left, Governor Undialu oversaw the surrender of firearms at Wabia, with the assistance of Komo-Hulia MP Daniel Tindipu and Hela entrepreneur Charlie Waro, who operates a very-successful trucking business in the USA. Over 100 homemade guns, various factory-made guns, and bows and arrows were voluntarily surrendered during the event. PM Marape said the surrendering of the guns and weapons was significant. “The onus is now on the people of Hela to take ownership of the future by having respect for each other.” “The surrender of firearms is a positive step, and it marks the right direction.” “A big appreciation also to the people of Hulia Valley, who responded to my call on Christmas Day by voluntarily surrendering firearms.” Marape went on to express his appreciation for the combined efforts of political, administrative, and public sector leadership in Hela, led by Governor Undialu, to restore peace and normalcy during the Christmas period. “I commend Governor Undialu for his strong leadership in Hela Province,” Prime Minister Marape said. Looking forward, Prime Minister Marape urged all provincial education advisors to extend FODE throughout their respective provinces, transforming existing schools into FODE centres for second-chance learning, TVET, and small business training.

WNB Police will continue their Christmas and New Year operations in the province. Police have been encouraging the public to observe their timing of travel, movement in and out of Kimbe, Bialla, Kandrian-Gloucester – along the highway, they must also be careful, observing situations particularly when they are travelling in a group to avoid more armed hold-ups along the highway. Travelling along the two big rivers Toriu and Pandi is always a problem whenever there’s rain in the mountains, hence, the travelling public must be careful. PMV owners also have to cautious about the weather and the issue of overloading. Police have also appealed to young people in the communities to celebrate and welcome the New Year in a decent manner and avoid drinking and causing problems. Police further advised community leaders to report matters on indecent drinking by youths to the nearest police station. Drink- driving is also not allowed.

Being a young nurse working as a trainee ambulance clinician is not an easy job but most of the ambulance officers and clinicians at St. John’s Ambulance have a special kind of passion for the job. “It’s a different kind of feeling, having to help others. We’ve been really hands-on in the whole operation and it’s really good, I’m enjoying it.” Ruth Keslelrea is 27-year-old nurse attached with the St. John’s Ambulance in Lae, Morobe Province. From a mixed parentage of East New Britain, Morobe and East Sepik Province, Ruth is married with two beautiful children. She graduated from Lae School of Nursing in 2018 and joined the Lae International Hospital team as a Junior Nurse from 2019-2021. Later that year she joined Paradise Foods limited and worked as an assistant nurse at the company clinic on a 6month contract. In 2023 she joined the St. John’s Ambulance team as an ambulance reservist officer given her background in nursing. “I first joined St. John’s as an ambulance reservist officer earlier this year and when the vacancy positions came out, I applied, and I got accepted so here I am doing my training course.” “I have always wanted to be a doctor, but then situation did not allow but then being a nurse and helping people is close to what a doctor does so that’s good.” In an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG, Ruth spoke of how the ride along experience here in Port Moresby was similar to what they did in Lae and how she was excited and grateful for the opportunity to be in the St. John Ambulance Clinician Training Program and hopes that this will help her work towards her dream of being a mid-wife as it is something that she is working towards in the future. “I got my trainees certificate and my proud of myself for being able to be competent and getting this far and I’m looking forward to completing my training course.” “After my training course, I go back to work in the St. John’s Sub-station in Lae.” Keslelrea stated that her experience working with St. John’s has given her the confidence to deal with emergencies head on as compared to when she was working in the hospital. “I was always anxious and nervous working in the ER because you never know what state of emergency the patient would be in and you would be assigned to specific cases at a time whereas now it’s any case, from babies all the way to the seniors.” “Since I joined St. John Ambulance, I have faced the challenge head on, and I am not scared to handle emergency cases anymore and it feels exhilarating.” “Also, because when in an ambulance, you get to go everywhere to help people. In the emergency ward-you wait for patients to come to you, but with St. John’s, you go to the patient in times of emergencies.” With five years of nursing experience under her belt she further mentioned that it was very exciting working with an ambulance service. “Because you are first at the scene –when I first started, I panicked because of the change of setting in the work environment but as time went on, I got used to it and it has been a fun learning experience.” Ruth further mentioned that her husband was also attached with St. John’s Ambulance and had inspired her to join because of the top-notch emergency training and first aid skills that were taught there. Meanwhile she added that her career has not only seen her helping others but her family as well seeing as she is the nurse in the family and helping others plus the people you love is a blessing and is satisfying and she was grateful to be a part and parcel of the ‘Green Angels’. “Being a nurse has helped my family a lot, especially my mum who was is a diabetic with hypertension patient.” “St. John Ambulance is a great organization, and I would like to encourage others in the field to join as well. I’m grateful for this experience and to be a part of this amazing organization.”

The Waganghalu & Buhaluc Villages in Labuta Local Level Government (LLG) in Nawaeb District in the Morobe Province had a peace reconciliation ceremony recently that will now allow service to flow into the area and especially the upgrade of Labuta Coastal Highways. Speaking to the masses that gathered to witness this occasion, Nawaeb MP Theo Pelgen said three years of differences among the two villages was far too long a time period and that this had slowed the progress of development. "We stand here today to see off the pains, sufferings and the differences that have kept us apart for the last three years. We have now chosen a path to peace, and we have to reconcile once and for all.” He told the people that the course could be changed through peaceful means and not by violence and aggression and that required collective efforts from all. “Development into the area has been stalled because of the conflict and now that this has been settled, people will expect to see developments in the LLG.” The Nawaeb District Chief Executive Officer Buds Botike reiterated his MP’s message to the people as well, saying that now that there is peace, services would follow suit. “We at the district level would ensure services in health and education are implemented. Construction on Labuta Highway will begin early next year.” He urged Buhalu and Waganghalu villagers to put away their differences, stand together and accept development into their area. Forty-thousand Kina, pigs and garden food were shared among two villages of Labuta local level government, Nawaeb in Morobe after a three-year conflict was settled on Saturday. The conflict between Buhalu and Waganghalu villages of wards 9 and 10 started after a youth from Buhalu was murdered on Sept 20, 2020. In retaliation to the death of the youth, Buhalu people burnt down 43 houses belonging to the Waganghalu people. This caused the blockage of the road access for the Buhaluc Villages past Waganghalu, when travelling up to Lae. The only access for them was by sea transportation. During the ceremony at Laulu Primary School, Ward 9 Councilor, Yaeng Kahu, made an appeal to youths from both sides that since peace and reconciliation had been done, they had to respect each other and the rule of law. "Let us not to live in our past during this festive season rather we have to maintain peace, unity and harmony among us all,” Kahu said.

With the fluctuating number of Sin bins, insensitive high tackles and shoulder charge penalties, the National Capital District (NCD) Governor’s cup Waigani games coordinator Mr. John Mauve has urged team management and players proceeding to the finals to fully understand the rugby league rules and policy to better prepare for the Governor’s cup tournament grand finals. “The players should be briefed by the coaching staff or coach about the up-to-date rules as the Governor’s Cup Tournament as it is recognized by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League.” “This will help avoid unnecessary penalty and disagreement between the referees and players, this will also develop discipline during the games.” Furthermore Mr. Mauve expressed his gratitude to the Governor’s Cup Sponsor NCD Governor Powes Parkop and for the team sponsors for giving the opportunity for the youth to participate. “Thank you to NCD Governor Powes Parkop for his generous sponsor, we have been able to carry out a pleasant tournament and now looking forward to the major semi-finals and the grand final.” “Thank you to the sponsor of teams and hard work of teams who self-sponsor to participate, it’s been a tight schedule for us all but overall, a pleasure to coordinate the games for the love of the sport.” Mr. Mauve strongly reiterated that teams must acknowledge the rules and policies to minimize penalties from tackles and disrespectful language for their own benefit and for future games. “The NCD governor’s cup tournament is an outstanding sports platform for young rugby talent to obtain exposure, therefore team’s management must abide by the rules and policy to raise standards and discipline for players around NCD.” “I also would urge players to stop the use of foul or offensive language towards our referees and other officials.”

Mr. Robert Banasi’s small daughter was admitted to the Modilon General Hospital in Madang. His young girl was running a high fever and when he went to fetch water to cool her body, he was dismayed to find that the taps had run dry. “I had to go over to my Big Paps house to get water for my daughter in the hospital.” This dire situation prompted Mr. Banasi, to start an appeal, through his social media platform and network, to provide an alternative water source, specifically for the Children’s Ward at Modilon General Hospital. “We received overwhelming support from all corners of the country.” He said through his posts on Facebook, a WhatsApp group was then created, where people were able to pledge their support with varying amounts of money. “I had initially planned to seek 100 people to contribute K30 each to purchase a 3000-litre tank.” “But the support was so great, that we were able to raise K10 672; enough to purchase a larger capacity tank as well as to lay the foundations of the 9000-litre water tank.” Mr. Banasi was elated to share that through his appeal, they also received a very generous donation of 20 solar lights from a charitable person and they immediately set about installing these lights throughout the Children’s Ward. “These solar lights were a great donation, because when we were in the hospital, we observed the nurses come around with the lights from their mobile phones, to administer medication to the Children.” This past Christmas weekend, the foundation for the water tank were laid down, and the tank transported to the hospital, ready to be set in place. “All the hardware shops were closed over the Christmas period. The shops are open today, so we will buy all the pipes that are needed, to install and connect the water tank to the Children’s Ward.” Mr. Banasi is an avid and well know artist and other artists that are part of his art group, will also be painting a mural on the water tank. “All these efforts would not have been possible without the support of the Madang community throughout the country, and I am glad that they trusted me enough to answer to my appeal in cash and kind.” He said by the New Year, they should have the tank up and running and officially handed over to the hospital. “I just want to encourage people that if you face a problem, do not complain about it, instead, find a solution to it.” Mr. Banasi spoke to PNGHAUSBUNG this morning from the hospital, where he was glad to share that his daughter has now being discharged and they were running through a quick review with the doctor, before returning home.

The National Capital District (NCD) Governor’s Cup Tournament last semi final day is underway following washout games at Waigani Koni Tiger Oval. The remaining top man and woman’s teams of the Cup, Plate, Bowl, and the pennant prices division have fought their way through their competitive pools. Eight teams will battle it out leaving only four teams to secure major semi-finals spots. Four teams of each division are now set to go toe-to-toe for the major semi-finals spots which will determine the grand finalists for each division. According to NCD Governors Cup Waigani Games Coordinator Mr. John Mauve, the major semi-finals will commence today or tomorrow. “Four teams of each division will proceed from the semi-finals to the major semi-finals.” “We the Governor’s Cup Tournament committee have made the decision to hold the Grand Final only, at the Sir Hubert Murray.” This will follow the four final teams of each division to come with their full force to secure their grand final spot. The Grand Final will be on 31st December at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Men, and women Grand Finalists Games Leading from Pennant Prize, Bowl Prize, Plate Prize and finishing off with the main event of the NCD Governors Cup Grand Final.