Quarterly Newšletter, 1st Edition

March 31st 2010 - Quarterly Newšletter, 1st Edition

The first quarter of 2010 was a very busy and challenging time for us with many ongoing projects to complete before the end of our financial year on the 31st March. In January we had our first annual strategy meeting with all our Digicel Foundation Board members. It was a very productive half day meeting which gave us a chance to reflect on the main focus areas of the Foundation, education and family support, and the way forward for 2010-11. In terms of project highlights, the first two steel frame double classrooms were officially launched at two rural primary schools. A further four steel frame double classrooms have been completed and will be launched during the month of April. Another milestone was the official opening of the second “Meri Seif Haus” (Women's Shelter) at Kaugere settlement in Port Moresby city. The Meri Seif Haus is operated by Digicel Foundation and partner, the Foursquare Church. Looking back over the last 12 months, a total of 32 projects were completed: an additional 14 Community Learning Centres were rolled out, six steel frame double classrooms for six Primary schools and 18 kit structure classrooms for 9 rural elementary schools were constructed and a second “Meri Seif Haus” and a second Mobile Clinic were funded in partnership with Foursquare Church. The first Family Support Centre, offering care and counseling to “abused” women and children, will be launched on March 31st. Another three Family Support Centres and a “Meri Seif Haus” have been co-funded with UNICEF and are planned for completion by the end of June 2010. Through these projects more than 1,000 vulnerable children are provided with basic education, 480 primary and 450 elementary school students now have access to a much improved learning environment, 20,000 people, with limited access to basic health facilities, can be treated for common diseases free of charge and hundreds of “abused” women and children can find free shelter and care within their community on an annual basis. We look forward to another productive year of working with our partners to make a positive difference in PNG communities! Marina Van de Vlies