Help for Engan women

By Nellie Setepano

KUN Women Association Inc. is an entity formed by the Kunalin Women of Sirunki in Enga Province.

These are women from five subclans of Kunalin,in Enga. Age is no limit, but 10 to 70-year-olds are encouraged to be members. The Group is humanitarian in nature. 

The Association is assimilating so many viable community projects into its working plan and vigorously pursuing them without any governmental or donor agency support. 

The Association is assisting and encouraging the Kunalin community to access and participate in economic opportunities and social programs that will better their lives; hence, making a positive impact in the community as a whole.

The aim of the group is to share with those who cannot share, give to those who do not have and care for the rejected.

The women’s group has earned the respect of a community from a society in which women are marginalised in decision making. The Kun Women Association is making a breakthrough and striving to be a major player in the socio-economic development of society. 

Currently, Kun Women Association has a membership of 513 and it is undertaking a beautification program in Sirunki. The group convenes every Sunday after church, to render services to the community.

President of the group Delsie Casper said that the group assists through finance from the women’s own pockets, to raise chickens, pigs and to sew. These monies also meet medical bills, school fees for the women and children.

The group engages in cleaning and providing other services to the public, such as at health centres, schools, police stations and hotels.

“We assist our own tribesmen with funeral expenses and in tribal fight-affected areas too,” the president said.

“We also voluntarily help those who are in need; like patients in hospitals. We’re scheduled to go and donate some gifts this week Wednesday at Ward 4 of the Port Moresby General Hospital,” she told Woman Today.

“We hire doctors for health talks, bankers for money minding to manage the little that we earn from betel nut sales.

“We have experts talk to us on how to manage finances in times of emergency, school fees and medical expenses. Seamstresses also school us on tailoring,” Ms Casper added.

The foremost thing that the association has achieved, since its establishment, was funding a trip to Isarel.
 

Ninety per cent of the women’s group is derived from a prayer group known as Holy Spirit Ministries.

Women from different church groups make up this group and they come together in oneness.

“Nowadays, our young women and girls are distracted by things of this world, and this group intends to help by teaching and encouraging young women to follow and live godly lives,” Ms Casper said.