A new early learning centre has been established by independent ministry Operation Food for Life (OFFL) in the remote Papua New Guinea (PNG) village of Kivori-Poi.
Located three hours west of Port Moresby and accessible only by helicopter or four-wheel drive, the village is one of many along the coastline with no direct access to education.
“OFFL identified an urgent need for a Christian early learning school to serve the villages,” said OFFL president Dennis Perry. “It is estimated that some 6000 families live in the area, and we were aware that at least 60 children would immediately benefit from the school plant.”
On the first day of the temporary “bush school”, more than 120 children and two Seventh-day Adventist teachers were ready to commence the school year. Education at this school is free for the children, all who live in very poor communities.
Reactions to the new school were positive, especially from the local village chief, who said he had been praying for a long time for a school to educate the children. Mr Perry also paid tribute to PNG OFFL directors Phillip and Maureen Vaki, who had the initial vision to build a school in the area. The new school is an addition to the three teacher OFFL Rob and Jan Patterson Christian Literacy School in Wildlife, Port Moresby, which has 120 children enrolled this year.
“During this year, OFFL will build a permanent two classroom facility with an additional first aid room to serve the school and the community,” said Mr Perry. “We want to give all the praise to Jesus for His leading guidance and blessings during the planning and completion of the temporary school.”
