A grassroots cultural group in Markham is pushing ahead with its festival plans after successfully hosting a fundraising dinner in Lae city. The Kraang Festival Association Inc (KFAI) raised funds at Huon Gulf Hotel to help register the festival with the National Cultural Commission (NCC) and stage the inaugural event in Markham District. Chairman Moxie Jerry Dzigin said the association was proud of the community support. “We hosted a successful dinner despite the lack of backing from the Markham District Development Authority. This festival is for the people of Markham and for preserving our identity,” he said. While disappointed at being excluded from the district’s 50th anniversary celebrations, KFAI said it remained committed to working with partners. Support has already come from Markham communities in Lae and Port Moresby, as well as pledges from Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Belden Namah. The Kraang Festival will help bring people together and boost tourism in the district.

For Leo PauPau, a farmer from Buin in South Bougainville, last Friday was a milestone achievement for him when he received his certificate from the Trukai Smart Farmer Program, completing three months of training that changed how he farms. “Before, I worked on small plots about seven metres by seven metres,” PauPau said. “Now I’ve expanded to more than 120 metres by 60 metres. We can feed our families and sell rice for income.” The program taught him skills like managing water, using tractors and seeders, and controlling weeds and pests. Rice has become more than a crop for PauPau – it is now a business opportunity and a safety net for his family. Launched in 2022, the Trukai Smart Farmer Program combines classroom lessons with hands-on training. Over 1,000 farmers across PNG have taken part, receiving resources and support valued at K45,000 each. For PauPau, the certificate represents hope, opportunity, and a new chapter for his family and community.

Students at Pileh Primary School in Huon District have moved into a new double classroom handed over to the school on Thursday 21st August. Australian Consulate-General in Lae, Brenton Kanowski, said education must start with good facilities. “Children need safe places to learn. This classroom shows our commitment to supporting schools and communities,” he said. The school has 151 students, with 78 girls and 73 boys, but only a few teachers. Before the classroom was built, children often walked long distances to Markham Bridge Primary, sometimes giving up because of floods and rough tracks. Kanowski said the project was made possible through the AusAid program with funding also from the Morobe Provincial Government. He added that it is part of a bigger plan helping 35 schools with new desks and water tanks. Head teacher Yakam Lamu said the classroom is a big relief for the school. “We still need more houses for teachers and more classrooms, but today we are thankful. This gives our children hope,” he said.

Lae doctor Joseph Garap says cancer is rising fast in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and too many people are dying because they get help too late. Dr Garap has worked at Angau Memorial General Hospital for over 20 years. He said most cancer patients arrive when the disease is already at a dangerous stage. He once ran a mobile cancer clinic using his own money to spread awareness in rural areas. He gave out calendars with messages for school children. But the program ended due to lack of funding. “Cancer drugs and treatment are too expensive,” he said. “We need early checks to save lives.” He’s asking the government to invest in mobile health services so doctors can reach people before it’s too late. Betel nut chewing, smoking, and alcohol are causing more mouth cancers. Women in PNG also face high rates of cervical cancer. “We can’t wait. Early treatment saves lives.”

Ragiampun village in Markham District, Morobe, is celebrating after receiving new cocoa seedlings from Unitech’s SPISARD program. Youth leader Alois Yudah said villagers were happy. “The seedlings will help improve our cocoa and support our families,” he said. Recently, the team gave out 40 hybrid cocoa varieties to farmers in Ragiampun, Tumua, Wafimampun, Zumangurun, Intzir, and Ragidumpiat. These new seedlings are stronger, disease-resistant, and produce better beans, helping farmers grow more and earn more. The program also includes training on how to care for the seedlings and manage cocoa farms. Villagers hope that with these efforts, Markham District will become a model for sustainable cocoa farming in Papua New Guinea.

Heart screening in Lae city this week has found many children with heart problems, with doctors warning that young patients in PNG often arrive at hospital too late. Department of Health paediatrician, Dr Cornelia Kilalang, said many families don’t realize how common childhood heart disease is. Some cases are present from birth, while others develop after simple throat infections turn into rheumatic heart disease. “Heart surgery is one of the most difficult operations,” she said. “We stop the heart and lungs and use a machine to keep the patient alive. But too many children come too late. The key is early recognition.” Parents are being asked to watch for warning signs. These include babies who sweat while feeding, children who are underweight, persistent coughs, or fast breathing. In older children, painful joints, fevers or shortness of breath should raise concern. At Angau Hospital, Dr Winnie Sadua said the checks were important for Morobe. The Operation Open Heart Foundation runs the program with support from partners. They cover family travel and bring in overseas surgeons for difficult cases. Foundation spokesperson Jane Huka said, “These partnerships are making it possible for children across PNG to access life-saving treatment.”

Papua New Guinea has just one heart scan machine – a portable ultrasound that checks how the heart works and looks for problems like birth defects or damage from rheumatic heart disease. Dr Cornelia Kilalang, chief paediatrician at the Department of Health, said the shortage is putting children’s lives at risk. “Right now, PNG only has one. That’s not enough,” she said. She stressed that major hospitals like Angau in Lae city need more machines and trained staff to give young patients a real chance at survival. Early signs of heart problems include babies who sweat or get tired while feeding, children who fail to grow, persistent coughs that don’t get better with medicine, and older children with fever, joint pain, or shortness of breath. Meanwhile, the screening program at Angau Children’s Outpatient Clinic is in its second day. It is run by the Operation Open Heart Foundation with support from corporate partners. The free program helps identify children who need further care, but Dr Kilalang says every major hospital in PNG should have a heart scan machine so no child has to wait or die.

Lae city police are investigating a sexual assault incident at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUOT) that went viral on social media, with four male students as possible suspects. Lae Police Metropolitan Commander, Superintendent Chris Kunyanba, said the Students Representative Council has not formally reported the case yet. Still, police have identified four suspects during early inquiries. “We are working with the SRC, campus security, and university management to stop such incidents,” Kunyanba said. Investigators are collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Once the suspects are confirmed, arrests will follow. “Students will be treated like any other citizens under the law,” he said. The victim has mental health challenges, which makes the crime more serious. “Such behaviour is unacceptable at a top institution like Unitech,” Kunyanba added. A video of the incident surfaced online on 9th August, showing a female being harassed by male students at the university. The university condemned the attack, calling it as “deeply disturbing.” Community leaders across the country have called for urgent action to protect women in educational institutions.

Power outages in Lae are making it easier for criminals to strike, police warn. Lae city police boss, Superintendent Chris Kunyanba said criminals take advantage of dark streets to break into homes and shops. “We use torches during patrols because the street lights aren’t working, which makes it harder to keep people safe,” he said. Residents should lock up tight, avoid going out at night, and report anything suspicious right away. “If we all work together, we can keep Lae safer during these blackouts,” Kunyanba added. Police are ready and watching closely as the power problems continue.

Ramu Valley Secondary School in Usino-Bundi in the Madang province has made history with its first Grade 12 class sitting the national written expression exam. The school opened in 2013 with just one classroom and two teachers — Mr. Dion and Mrs. Ceslyn Dion. It became a high school in 2014, graduating its first Grade 10s in 2018. Last year saw its first Grade 11s, and this year marks its first Grade 12s. The school now has 15 teachers and 10 classes. Deputy Principal Administration, Mrs. Ceslyn Dion, said the moment was a proud one. “It has been a journey full of challenges, but seeing our first Grade 12s sitting their exam today makes all the hard work worth it,” she said. Infrastructure has been a challenge, but the school has added new classrooms, teachers’ houses, and a science lab project now nearing completion.

Lae City will hold its second Rosso Lae Community Clean-a-thon from September 5 to 7, aiming to build on the success of its first large-scale clean-up earlier this year. The event, led by community members, brought thousands together in May to clean public spaces across the city. It was widely praised for encouraging civic pride and positive action. Clean-a-thon organizer Michael Earley said the upcoming event will again involve schools, churches, businesses, and local residents. He hopes to see the initiative become a quarterly activity from 2026. “I’ll be pushing for Honorable John Rosso, our MP and Deputy Prime Minister, to include this initiative in next year’s budget,” said Earley. He added, “We need to love our city. A clean Lae means we can proudly raise the PNG flag as we mark 50 years of independence.” The clean-up drive is part of a larger effort to change mindsets and make Lae a cleaner, prouder city.

Health workers from Papua New Guinea (PNG), the United States, and Australia are joining forces to bring free care to families near Igam Barracks in Lae city. The event is part of Pacific Partnership 2025, a program that sends doctors and nurses across the Pacific to support local health services. People came for eye checks, dental treatment, CPR lessons and women’s health education. Commander Krystal Chunaco, a US Navy nurse, said it’s about building strong friendships through health. “We’re not just treating people. We’re learning from each other and creating lasting connections,” she said. Dental teams from four countries — Canada, the US, Japan and Germany — joined forces with PNG dentists from the Morobe Provincial Health Authority. Nurses from Angau Memorial Hospital helped with eye screenings and health talks. Tents outside offered advice on hygiene, mental health, and first aid. Lieutenant Shanelle Tolley from the Australian Army said the team effort had been inspiring. “The energy has been amazing. This is shared learning at its best,” she said. This is the second big outreach of the mission in PNG. The first was held at Ward 2 Clinic last week. The team has also helped with early work on PNG’s national polio campaign, aiming to vaccinate over 300,000 children. Commander Chunaco said it was a privilege to return. “PNG is a special partner to us. We’re grateful for the chance to work together again,” she said.