Oxfam and its partner Hela Rural Women’s Development Foundation (HRWDF) are equipping women in Tari with the tools to support themselves and their children financially. Women have always been the backbone of the family in Huli culture, but new sources of income and a growing sense of financial awareness are building their self-esteem, and enabling them to contribute to the development of their families and communities independently from their husbands.
Papua New Guinea
Practical support promotes peace in rural communities
Conflict and violence are a daily reality in many parts of the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Ongoing violence and tribal conflicts undermine all types of development in the region, whether it’s economic development, health or education. It’s a major problem in a country where more than half the population lives on less than US$1 a day and rural communities have little or no access to many basic services such as health care.
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April escapes the nightmare of human trafficking
Kus, Juri and April are from a very poor part of Lombok. They are just 15, 16 and 17 years old. Their families are uneducated and work the land.
Their village was approached by an agent of the human trafficking gangs (mafia) and the girls were offered “waitress training and work in a 5 star hotel”.
[Read more…] about April escapes the nightmare of human trafficking
Tari photo blog
Photo blog from Tari in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea
PNG celebrates its 31st independence anniversary — September 2006.
And the Hela people in Southern Highlands province turned up in all their finery to mark the occasion at the Annual Rural Show in Tari. The show is organised by the Community Based Health Care, a local organisation supported by Oxfam.
Community Based Health Care promote agriculture, health and other village-based economic activities among rural communities in the highlands region, empowering people to be self-reliant and to lead healthy, sustainable lifestyles – and the independence anniversary show is the annual celebration of the their successes.
In September 2006, Oxfam welcomed the opportunity to have the Campbell Llive TV crew report on the huge contributions made by many thousands of New Zealanders through Oxfam Unwrapped gifts and on the positive impact our work is having in this remote corner of the world.
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| Typical Huli wigman among the Show crowd. |
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| Happy faces. |
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| Campbell Live reporter Claire Silvester, and camaraman Matt Hunter with a youth dance group. |
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| Oxfam’s Papua New Guinea Programme Manager, Steve Hamilton takes on a local wrestler – to the roars of the crowd – in a wrestling competition. |
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| Minister of Tourism for the Hela region – in his Show finery. He remembers as a child seeing the lights of WWII planes flying over his village at night – frightening his community who thought they must be evil spirits. |
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| Who got your goat? Oxfam Unwrapped offers an opportunity to buy a Christmas gift that will really make a difference to the lives of others. You buy a gift card with an image of a goat, cow, safe water for 500 people, or the chance to learn for 100 children. You send that card on to your friends, family or work colleagues – knowing that the gift is going somewhere it will make a real difference – such as the Hela people in the Southern Highlands. |
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| Camaraman Matt plays back footage to the delight of villagers. |
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| Susan Mulungu and her husband welcomed the TV crew to their home. Susan proudly showed off her prolific gardens and healthy livestock, and spoke about the value of the Community Based Health Care programme in bringing income security, safety for her family and community, and the growth of personal savings and good health. |
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| Susan was awarded Second Prize at the Show, for the quality of her produce. Through the assistance of the Community Based Health Care programme, Susan has received training assistance in animal husbandry and new ways of growing food. Her family has now been identified as a Model Family and she in turn works with other families within her community – developing their skills. |
Photos: Prue Smith/Oxfam
Initial reports suggest limited tsunami damage to Pacific island nations
In the aftermath of the massive earthquake off the coast of Japan, international aid agency Oxfam continues to closely monitor the situation and is beginning to respond where appropriate. Initial reports from several Pacific countries suggest tsunami damage has been limited and alerts are gradually being lifted.
[Read more…] about Initial reports suggest limited tsunami damage to Pacific island nations
Oxfam celebrates 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day
March 8, 2011 is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day and to mark the occasion, humanitarian and development agency Oxfam is acknowledging women’s movements and the struggle for equality
[Read more…] about Oxfam celebrates 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day
