Menyamya’s ward 6 aims to become Morobe’s next ‘model healthy village’

A quiet transformation is happening in Menyamya District as Hitei village works hard to become the official model for Morobe's 'Modern Healthy Village' program.

The initiative is led by the Morobe Provincial Administrations' division of Community Development. By partnering with local churches, the program aims to upgrade traditional village life in teaching communities how to improve sanitation, manage their household budgets, and boost literacy skills.

Right now, the government has teamed up with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea [ELC PNG]. They have already rolled out the program in two out of the four villages in Ward 6; Hitei and Wasengi. Both villages are currently waiting to be officially declared 100% Open Defecation Free [ODF]. Once the remaining two villages finish the program and meet the same sanitation standards, the entire ward will officially become the province's new model.

For local leaders, this work bridges both faith and national development.

"My reason for helping implement this is the Government's Vision 2050 to have everyone be happy, healthy, and safe," said Petrus Yapu, the Himaya Parish Pastor.

He said it also aligns with the church's Vision 2030, which emphasizes that a person needs to be doing well both spiritually and physically to live a good life.

The government's role is mostly to guide and support communities that are already willing to work hard for themselves.

"Our purpose for creating these models is to motivate other communities," explained Siove Dona, the Community Learning and Development Coordinator.

"When a community sees a model, they tend to copy it, which naturally helps the program spread to other villages."

Ward 6 is following in some successful footsteps. Previously, Insi Village in the Markham District was named the Model Village, and the Sialum LLG was named the Model LLG after 25 of its villages successfully achieved 100% Open Defecation Free status.

The community in Ward 6 is already proving how eager they are for change. Locals recently built and opened a new teacher’s house, a business center, and a resource center, proving to visiting government officials that they are ready for future development.