February 18th 2009 - Digicel Launches its First Mobile Learning Centre in Lae

Lae: the Digicel PNG Foundation continues its roll out of Mobile Learning Centres across PNG, with the launch of the first centre  in Lae today.

This much-needed asset will be located at Bumbu settlement, providing valuable educational services for the more than 5,000 people living in this community. The Digicel Foundation visited Bumbu settlement in late 2008  and recognized the community  efforts in establishing locally-based and sustainable projects such as cooking, sewing and literacy classes for the women. The community hall that was used for such projects was washed away after a flooding of the Bumbu River some years ago.

The newly launched Mobile Learning Centre will be run by the All Saints Catholic Church in partnership with the Bumbu Community. It will be used as a pre-school for the children in Bumbu as currently there are no educational facilities for the younger children. The Bumbu Women’s Association will use the facilities for their skills training. Gondi Hardware Suppliers, responsible for the construction of the Mobile Learning Centres for Lae, donated the furniture, while Digicel Foundation partner, Hope Worldwide PNG, provided 200 children’s books, helping to start up a library inside the Mobile Learning Centre.

Michael Hebei is Chairman of All Saints Catholic Church. Addressing today’s launch ceremony, he said:

“On behalf of the Bumbu community I would like to thank the Digicel Foundation for recognising our need. We have been working very hard for a long time to develop ourselves and strengthen our community. We are very grateful to receive this Mobile Learning Centre which will help educate our community, especially our mothers and children.”

Between October and December 2008, 7 Mobile Learning Centres were rolled out in Port Moresby.  Another 5 are under construction for POM, with an additional 14 are being constructed in Lae, Mt Hagen and Goroka, as the Mobile Learning Centre concept is rolled out across these regions.

Digicel PNG Foundation CEO Marina van der Vlies said that the Mobile Learning Centres will empower communities, such as Bumbu, to look forward to a better future:

“We are very excited about launching the first Mobile Learning Centre in Lae. The Digicel Foundation strives to reach out to those communities that are trying to help themselves but need that extra support from outside to develop and grow. By providing educational resources like the Mobile Learning Centre to disadvantaged and marginalized communities we hope to involve the community as a whole and help them develop in a positive way so they may look forward to a brighter future.”

The Foundation works closely with several non-government organizations (NGOs)  and churches – World Vision Pacific Development Group (PDG), Hope Worldwide PNG, Four Square Church, City Mission, Gateway Church and WeCARe Foundation – using the in-depth knowledge and deep-rooted community linkages that these organizations have fostered – to get the Mobile Learning Centres to the areas where they are most needed.

The Department for Community Development is closely involved in the Mobile Leaning Centre roll-out, across PN, The Mobile Learning Centres will play a part in the implementation of the new Integrated Community Development policy to help strengthen communities from the “inside out”, with some support from the “outside”, depending on the needs of that community.

As well as providing Mobile Learning Centres in POM, Lae, Mt. Hagen and Goroka, the Foundation funds elementary and primary schools, in areas hampered by poor existing infrastructure. The Digicel Foundation completed its first school infrastructure project in November 2008 with the complete reconstruction of the Barakau primary and elementary school in Central province. The Foundation is currently engaged in another 4 school infrastructure projects throughout the country. In focusing on improving the learning environment for young children the Digicel PNG Foundation strives to enhance children’s lives, giving them a positive outlook for their future.