20 years of Kokoda Track Foundations (KTF) was commemorated with the hosting of the Kokoda Festival. It was a celebration of the impact of the KTF in affecting change in the areas of education, health, equality, and leadership in rural and remote Papua New Guinea.
The Kokoda Festival provided an opportunity for local community members, Government and non-government partners, and donors to attend the Kokoda FODE College and Kou Kou Community to learn about the diverse range of life-changing projects currently being implemented along and around the Kokoda Track and broader Oro Province.
KTF’s CEO, Dr Genevieve Nelson, reflected on the turning of the sod that took place in 2012 with Kokoda veterans, Bede Tongs, George Palmer, Owen Baskett and Garnet Tobin.
Eleven years later, KTF’s Kokoda College is a thriving hub for education, health, and equality projects in the region.
KTF’s FODE (flexible open distance education) College provides second-chance education pathways for students who never had the opportunity to complete their high schooling.
It enables students who had to leave school early an opportunity to matriculate at a Grade 12 level or allows students to upgrade their high school marks and gain opportunities into further tertiary study.
The Kokoda Festival brought together local communities, students, partners and esteemed guests for a day of celebrations, activities and learning.
Festivities kicked off with speeches from the Deputy Provincial Administrator, Joseph Mokada, the Provincial Education Advisor, Maino Vegoli, and Conwell Barai, representative of the leaders of Kou Kou Community.
Attendees then had the opportunity to take part in guided tours of the Kokoda campus, gaining valuable insights into the importance of FODE within the community and obtaining vital information for prospective students interested in enrolling in 2024.
“We are so grateful to KTF and all their donors and partners for their generosity and long-term support of our Province and projects,” said Mr Mokada. “We especially thank the many donors in Australia who make the KTF work possible and lend a hand to us as their neighbour.”
For sports lovers, KTF’s Kokoda Festival in partnership with PNG Olympic Committee also hosted a Kicks 4 Kokoda soccer tournament.
“The tournament is such an important and exciting event for the Kicks for Kokoda program and the broader community,” said Dr. Nelson.
“Utilising sports and role models to support young people to adopt health-seeking behaviours and gain valuable education about sexual and reproductive health is critical to the program.”
Amid the excitement and vibrancy of the Kokoda Festival, festivalgoers were encouraged to visit the information booths to gain invaluable insights into KTF’s early childhood education, solar, health and equality projects.
The Kokoda Festival highlighted the significant impact that KTF has achieved in rural and remote communities over the past 20 years, and showcased the life-changing projects that are currently empowering communities and changing futures.
KTF remains committed to keeping the spirit of Kokoda alive and looks forward to continuing its impactful journey in shaping a brighter future for PNG.
KTF acknowledges all the partners and donors who have supported its work over the past 20 years.