Weaving and Enhancing the Lives of Women in PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The Archdiocese Social Apostolate Skills Training Centre (ASAC) in Port Moresby PNG, held a simple graduation ceremony of the 1^st batch of trainees of 2 months Basic Cooking/Baking and Basic Sewing last May 7, 2020 with the theme: “Weaving and Enhancing our Lives as Working Women with Unity and Dignity”.

The celebration was graced by Sir John Cardinal Ribat who awarded personally to the Graduates their Certificates, which they valued so much. In his message, he encouraged the Graduates to make use of the skills learned from the Centre to help their family and share it in their communities and Churches.

This group of trainees was affected by the declaration of the State of Emergency due to COVID 19 situation that resulted to the suspension of the training which had two more weeks left. It was at this time when classes in all levels were stopped and people were directed to stay at home.  The trainees took the opportunity to master the skills in sewing and cooking, respectively, during the lockdown period. There were those who had earnings by selling cooked food and others sold face masks, aprons and Meri blouses, which they have sewn.

When the classes resumed on the 27^th of April, all the trainees came back to the Centre, with the desire to complete their respective Courses, after a month of lockdown in spite of the difficulty to get the transportation.  With their determination and perseverance, twelve (12) trainees graduated in Basic Cooking and Baking and seven (7) in Basic Sewing.

In this group are migrants from West Papua, Indonesia who were displaced from their own country due to insurgency. As they sought refuge in PNG, they live in different settlement areas in the city with no opportunities to be employed due to their status. Knowing their plight, the Conference of Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBC PNG-SI), through CARITAS PNG, sponsored their participation in the training to equip them for employment or engage in income generating activities while living here in the country. Their presence made the other trainees aware of the situation of the West Papuans.

During the closing ceremonies, the graduates expressed their gratitude of their training experience in the Centre with weekly formation sessions that have helped them to be confident knowing their value and rights as women and workers. They appreciated knowing each other and the practical lessons of life that they have gained.

Those who shared from the Cooking Class spoke of their joy of learning new ways of cooking their own garden produce and how their family members appreciate the new meals served on their table.  From the Sewing Class, they valued how to do their work right and finish their projects with quality. This came from the many times they were asked to rip and repeat their work, which has become very unforgettable to them.

They took note of the familial relationship and atmosphere that bound them together and enabled them to help each other not only in the activities of the Centre but also to reach out with concern to their companions who are in need or facing difficulties. They facilitate job hunting and placement among themselves.

Indeed, the weaving of their lived experiences started since the time they first entered the training program, together with their trainer, Sr. Liza, SSJ, assisted by Helen, Rabbie and Lare that enhanced their being and doing as women who discovered and harnessed their talents and skills, which they will pass on to others with the Nazareth spirit!