The Kolowi Lem Phonics School located in Hewa, Wanakipi, Hela Province was founded in 2019 by Mr. Jessy Ken who is currently a 2nd year student, studying for a bachelor's in mathematics at the University of Goroka (UOG). Ken initially completed his Grade 12 in 2018, returned to Wanakipi, where he built a classroom and self-funded Kolowi Lem Phonics School. “Ever since I started building this school I haven’t gotten any community support or government support. “ “I had taken pictures and put it to Facebook groups Koroba Kupiago Current News Update (Team William Bando), and also the Hela Political forum.” “But even so, I still did not receive any support from the Hela Provincial Education Board – it was all funded by me through raising and selling pigs.” Ken’s drive to build a phonics school arose when he realized that his brothers and sisters did not have access to education. “The school is currently in operation but it's unregistered – I’ve been trying to register my school into the education system.” When asked about teachers, Mr. Ken humbly responded stating that the only instructors teaching at the school were himself and a former classmate. “As soon as I finished Grade 12, I started the school and was the head teacher there, I never completed any short courses in education or anything else of the sort, and I just started teaching.” “Another teacher is one of my former classmates in Grade 11 – he did not complete his Grade 12 –but he is now taking up studies at FODE (Flexible Open Distance Education).” According to Ken, there were no government services where he resided. “Kolowi Lem Phonics School is the first school in my area – there was no Primary School or Elementary School prior to this.” “Hence my students are not just very young children, I even teach teenagers –my students are between the ages of 3 – 21 years old and some of them are even married.” Currently he is seeking help from the government and to anyone who is able to make a donation to his school. “I really need help and support, since 1975 till today, our location hasn’t seen any good development – no health centres, no schools or roads.” Kolowi Lem Phonics School has been running for six years now.