Community leader applies training skills gained to his community on peace building to mobilize youth and community members Build Bridge and to access Porgera Station.

Early May this year, the Melanesian Institute conducted a training on peacebuilding and how to manage conflict. Sakan Yakop, a community leader from Tipinini 1 in Porgera District in Enga Province was one of the 20 participants who attended the training in which 5 participants were females and 15 were males.

According to Sakan, the training helped him with basic skills on how to address conflict and other community-related issues. Sakan said,’’ we always wait for the government to help us address issues or provide basic services such as road, health and education that we need. Through the training, I realised we also have the responsibility and to take initiative to address our issues and bring forth development. After the training, Sakan mobilised youths and community members to volunteer their time build two bridges connecting them to Porgera Station.

All materials used were locally sourced and as a result there is now access to Porgera station from Sakan’s community. Sakan is happy that there are now PMV buses servicing his community and Porgera station. Sakan wants to be a role model in his community and take lead in solving conflicts for development to take place in his community. Melanesian Institute is currently implementing a peacebuilding project in Porgera District in partnership with CARE International funded by the European Union.