Empowering Local Leadership in Papua New Guinea

This year, ABM AID’s Martyrs Gift seeks to raise funds for the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea’s Agents of Change course. This vital training empowers local leaders, such as Dorothy Siep, the newly-appointed Secretary of Anglican Education Services, and gives people in the church the skills and knowledge to undertake locally-led development.

In a significant step towards advancing education and health services in Papua New Guinea, two remarkable women have been appointed to national leadership positions. Mrs. Dorothy Siep, the new National Education Secretary, and Ms. Petra Goviro, the National Health Secretary, are set to lead the Anglican networks of health services and schools across the country. Their appointments not only symbolize progress in gender equality but also bring hope for sustainable development in rural and remote communities.

Dorothy, who is actively involved in the Mothers’ Union, has a strong commitment to community development. She recently participated in the AID-funded Agents of Change program, which focuses on sustainable approaches in community and church development. This training has equipped her with valuable insights into fostering local leadership, an essential aspect of ensuring that health and education services are effectively delivered.

Through your support for the Martyrs Gift, initiatives like Agents of Change and the Adult Literacy Program, you are helping to ensure that local leaders are well-equipped to take on the responsibilities required for maintaining and enhancing health care and education services and locally-led community development.

The message is clear: growing and building local leaders is foundational to the mission of ABM AID.

You are encouraged to contribute to this vital cause, helping to equip the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea to support Dorothy and Petra in their roles. For instance, a donation of $400 can cover the training costs for one local leader, but this amount is reduced to $80 per person when the original participants train four others. These investments are crucial in ensuring that rural and remote communities have the leadership they need to thrive.

The Agents of Change course – an initiative of the Anglican Communion – is being rolled out by the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea and supported by ABM AID through the Martyrs Gift.

The Martyrs Gift will honour the memory of the Martyrs of New Guinea by furthering the work of the contemporary church in Papua New Guinea.

Agents of Change is being taught by local facilitators to different groups in the dioceses of Popondota, New Guinea Islands, Dogura, and Aipo Rongo. Over 100 people joined the course this year and we are pleased to share that 70 of those have already graduated.

Of the Agents of Change Program, Dorothy says, “[It] is one important program that can help all stakeholders in the Anglican schools to improve how they run the schools and their programs…. [Once starting in my new role] the first thing I will organise is to have that Agents of Change as an example to improve the school system.”

As we celebrate the appointments of these inspiring women, we invite our supporters to join us in empowering the next generation of leaders in Papua New Guinea. Together, we can create a brighter future for education and health services in the country, ensuring that every community has the leadership it needs to succeed.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We give you thanks for the Martyrs of New Guinea who lived and died in the faith of Christ, and who now rest in your eternal love.

(Pause)

We thank you also for the work and witness of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea today, remembering especially the Bishop-Designate of Port Moresby, the Very Rev’d Wilfred Kekea, as well as the recently-appointed new Principal for the Bishop Newton School of Theology, the Rev’d Dr Ishaya Anthony, and the other staff and students.

(Pause)

We pray for the continuing work of the Church:
for the Senior Bishop, Nathan Ingen and all the bishops, clergy and people;
for the Church’s teaching the Five Marks of Mission in dioceses and parishes;
for the teaching of the Anglican Communion’s Agents of Change course in parishes around the country;
for the redesign of the Church’s Adult Literacy and Numeracy Program through harnessing local strengths;
and for strong leadership and good governance of the Church at all levels.

(Pause)

We pray for your beloved country of Papau New Guinea:
for those parts of the Highlands Region that are experiencing drought;
that all will be able to afford to educate their children;
that government health and education services will reach into the remotest parts of the country;
that the culture and traditions of Papua New Guinea may remain strong in spite of ready access to social media;
and that Papua New Guinea will remain strong and unified, rejoicing in the diversity of its more than 800 language groups.

(Pause)

As the Martyrs of New Guinea gave their lives working for a strong and compassionate future for the country they loved,
so may we embody some of this spirit in our lives and work.

We ask all these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Amen.