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The Digicel Foundation strives to support projects that provide opportunities that will inspire and build positive energy in its citizens, which will in turn lead to stronger, self sufficient communities. The Mobile Learning Centre here in the Makana community of 9 Mile is the realization of Digicel Foundation’s vision to make a difference and play a positive role in peoples lives in PNG.
The first settlers of Makana came to 9 Mile in the early eighties. They come from the Highland provinces as well as the coastal areas. The community built a preschool alongside the Foursquare Church about 5 years ago. Due to termite investing the timber of the wooden beams supporting the roof the pre-school was closed 2 years ago with no place for the pre school children to go to. There were teachers and children but no infrastructure for the children and a place to keep school materials safe. The Digicel Foundation recognized this need and selected this community as one of the beneficiaries of a MLC.
It is the Digicel Foundation’s belief that this Mobile Learning Centre will help the Makana community in 9 Mile grow even more by giving the community access to a safe and secure community facility to be used as a school, library, resource centre and community learning centre for various kinds of training such as adult literacy, skilled-based training, cooking and sewing for women, and HIV/AIDS awareness depending on the specific needs of the community.
This is only the beginnning as the Digicel Foundation has earmarked several other communities in POM such as Morata, 6 Mile and Taurama village for the launch of a Mobile Learning Centre over the next month. Digicel Foundation plans on rolling out at least 25 MLC’s in PNG over the next 6 months.
Besides the roll out of Mobile Learning Centres the Foundation is completely rebuilding a primary and elementary school with 8 class rooms (including black boards and new school desks), a staff room, a library, a toilet block and a water tank in Barakau village, Central Province within a 4 month time frame. The school launch will take place during November.
