MGSM joins with World Vision in Papua New Guinea
MGSM seeks to support literacy in Papua New Guinea and is calling on its alumni, students, faculty, staff and neighbouring organisations to help support World Vision's Yamar Functional Literacy Project. With your help through tax deductible donations to World Vision, we hope to raise the necessary funds for the project and help improve literacy rates in the region.
As a young nation, Papua New Guinea enjoys exceptional cultural and linguistic diversity (over 800 languages.) Just over half (51%) of the population have some skills in reading and writing in their own vernacular, Tok Pisin, which is a Melanesian pidgin. English is spoken by less than 2% of the population.
In the Madang province the literacy rate is around the national average, but below average for youths between 15 and 24 years old, and particularly low for women. One of the consequences of illiteracy is poor generation and management of household income, which is a major constraint in improving the quality of life for rural dwellers. Illiteracy also prevents people from accessing health, education, business and agricultural extension services, and participating in decision-making through community committees and election of public representatives.
World Vision has been developing functional literacy projects in the Bogia District of the Madang province since 2003, specifically the Almami local area. Based upon the success of other projects World Vision plans to extend literacy activities to the Yawar local area.
Yawar Functional Literacy Project in Papua New Guinea- Development Needs
A common language is a unifying and inclusive tool much needed in developing countries, ensuring equal access to services and benefits for vulnerable and marginalised people at home, at work, and in general community life. Women, for example, need to develop their literacy in order to effectively manage their households. Children need better literacy to fulfill their educational potential and gain meaningful employment. Communities need a way of preserving their culture, such as the sharing and writing down of local stories.
How can you help?
By donating to this program you will be assisting World Vision to collaborate with other local literacy projects to focus on improving functional literacy in Tok Pisin, which is widely spoken and commonly used in local business, administration and health promotion. Volunteer trainers will be selected in some 30 communities. Once trained, and with support from a Community Literacy Committee and World Vision staff, the trainers will teach literacy in village classes of approximately twenty participants each. Special attention will be paid to the different learning needs of children and those with vision and hearing impairments.
To make a donation to the Yawar Functional Literacy Project in Papua New Guinea, please click here.
For Further information on the Yawar Functional Literacy Project in Papua New Guinea, please download the PDF
