Group to promote culture

By Franco Nebas

A group of 30 women, including two girls will travel to Townsville, Australia on Friday to promote Papua New Guinea culture.

The KAYA Women’s Culture Group comprised of mothers living in and around Lae engaged to promote culture including arts and crafts overseas.

The group was established in 1995 by Evangelical Lutheran Church mothers and other major denominations mainly to bring women in the city together and promote culture, and expose talents of women in arts and crafts.

Since the establisment of the group, many trips have been made to Australia, especially to Melbourne.

It's sort of an ongoing program between the two cities where women group gathered together, shared and exchange culture as well promoting,” group co-ordinator Mrs Anita Bamiringnuc said.

Mrs Bamiringnuc said the program was succesful since established in 1995 until the death of late ELC PNG Head Bishop Rev Wesley Kigasung 2009/10, when the group mourns the death of the Bishop with the program abounded.

However the group was revived this year to continue the program.

"This year, we will visit Townsville where we are invited to witness and participate with the Townsville Papua New Guinea community to celebrate the country’s 37th Independence annivesary.

The celebration was deferred to October 26 -28, in-coincide with the launching of Townsville/PNG Wantok Association,” Mrs Bamiringnuc said.

She added the trip this year would also see the group taking parts in different activities such as visiting disable homes, churches and chereles homes.

“We will not only be there to promote our culture but also involve with other activities,” she said.

Despite the short notice of the trip, each member of the group chipped in K3000 to purchase the airline tickets and transportation while in Townsville.

Mrs Bamiringnuc further thanked the office Morobe Governor Kelly Naru to stepped in and assist the group with K20,000.

She also thanked Lae – based businessman Ben Woo who also assisted the group with K5000 and PNG Media Limited Philip Sapu with K1000.

“Without your support, the trip will not be eventuated, I would like to thank you all for the assistance despite the short notice,” she said.

Mrs Bamiringnuc said the group still need more monies during their two week stay in Townsville and apeal to any individual or group that willing to help can contact her on 725 01807 or funds can be deposited into KAYA women’s Cultural Group account at BSP Lae – 1008 248310.