News: October - December 2012
PWDs to Shoot Documentary in Kiunga (Oct 1st 2012)
Kiunga: Two Persons with Disabilities from the Creative Self Help Centre in Madang will be undergoing a training program with the National Disability Resource & Advocacy Centre (NDRAC) beginning this month. The project is funded by Light for the World in collaboration with NDRAC, Creative Self Help Centre and the Kiunga Special Education Resource Centre (SERC) to train persons with disabilities in shooting and editing short documentaries.
These two persons with disabilities will be trained by Mr. Robert Banasi, the Communications & Media Officer of NDRAC during the field trip to Kiunga SERC. The documentary they will be shooting will be focussed on showcasing the abilities of persons with disabilities in Kiunga who run a library and offer secretarial services to the general population in the Western Province.
Upon successful completion of this documentary, NDRAC is looking forward to making possible arrangements with EMTV and Kundu 2 to have the documentary aired during the prime time for viewers to see what persons will disabilities could really do.
Banasi and the team are planning on traveling down to Kiunga early next month to begin shooting.
Kiunga: Two Persons with Disabilities from the Creative Self Help Centre in Madang will be undergoing a training program with the National Disability Resource & Advocacy Centre (NDRAC) beginning this month. The project is funded by Light for the World in collaboration with NDRAC, Creative Self Help Centre and the Kiunga Special Education Resource Centre (SERC) to train persons with disabilities in shooting and editing short documentaries.
These two persons with disabilities will be trained by Mr. Robert Banasi, the Communications & Media Officer of NDRAC during the field trip to Kiunga SERC. The documentary they will be shooting will be focussed on showcasing the abilities of persons with disabilities in Kiunga who run a library and offer secretarial services to the general population in the Western Province.
Upon successful completion of this documentary, NDRAC is looking forward to making possible arrangements with EMTV and Kundu 2 to have the documentary aired during the prime time for viewers to see what persons will disabilities could really do.
Banasi and the team are planning on traveling down to Kiunga early next month to begin shooting.
World Sight Day - 11th October 2012 (Madang)
World Sight Day was celebrated in Madang town on 11th October 2012. The day started with a march through the streets of Madang in order to raise awareness of the importance of looking after our eyes and seeking medical help as soon as possible.
The march finished at Modilon General Hospital, where the gathered crowd listened to a series of inspiring speeches. We heard from Desmond Beng and Jenny Kaidan, both who have suffered visual impairment and blindness as a result of disease. They told us about the challenges of losing your sight and the struggles they went through to get back into the world after they had lost their sight. Both their stories were stories of hope. Desmond is now a special education teacher at Creative Self Help Centre and Jenny continues to farm and support her family through marketing.
We then heard from Dr Rita Ohri, visiting Ophthalmologist from Fred Hollows Foundation NZ. Dr Ohri reminded us of the importance of looking after our eyes and attending health clinics if we notice anything wrong, many eyes conditions are treatable or avoidable. Dr Ohri told us that 670 million people suffer from eye conditions across the world and over 140million people suffer from eye conditions that can be treated.
The World Sight Day celebrations were supported by the following organisations:
Fred Hollows Foundation PNG
Creative Self Help Centre
National Disability Resource and Advocacy Centre
Red Cross - Madang Branch
Modilon General Hospital
The march finished at Modilon General Hospital, where the gathered crowd listened to a series of inspiring speeches. We heard from Desmond Beng and Jenny Kaidan, both who have suffered visual impairment and blindness as a result of disease. They told us about the challenges of losing your sight and the struggles they went through to get back into the world after they had lost their sight. Both their stories were stories of hope. Desmond is now a special education teacher at Creative Self Help Centre and Jenny continues to farm and support her family through marketing.
We then heard from Dr Rita Ohri, visiting Ophthalmologist from Fred Hollows Foundation NZ. Dr Ohri reminded us of the importance of looking after our eyes and attending health clinics if we notice anything wrong, many eyes conditions are treatable or avoidable. Dr Ohri told us that 670 million people suffer from eye conditions across the world and over 140million people suffer from eye conditions that can be treated.
The World Sight Day celebrations were supported by the following organisations:
Fred Hollows Foundation PNG
Creative Self Help Centre
National Disability Resource and Advocacy Centre
Red Cross - Madang Branch
Modilon General Hospital
Manus Ability Sports Association - Fundraising for PNG Games
Bill Tundru and Nickson Solomon and other colleagues fundraising for the forthcoming PNG Games in Kokopo in November 2012.
My Experience - by Nelson Walo (Hearing Impaired)
This is a personal experience written by Nelson Walo, a hearing impaired Camera-man trainee on his first trip via Port Moresby to Kiunga in the Western Province to shoot his first Documentary Film. These are the exact words how he expresses himself.
"I felt very nervouse and scared of the aeroplane because it would be my first flight and a lifetime experience. I never flew to other provinces by plane before, only by road.
I learnt the safety instructions demonstrated by one of the flight attendants when I was onboard. I also learnt that at all times fastening of the seatbelts was one of the most important safety rules to adhere to before take off and before landing. To my surprise, at the security checkpoints, we were asked to remove all our things for scanning of illegal smuggling of drugs and other things. The International airport was huge and has many gateways I suppose.
Port Moresby was very huge to me compared to Madang with many streets, tall sky scrappers, inlcuding magnificient arts decorations on the roundabouts. I was amazed to see traffic lights with its busy cars. People appeared to be very busy with their work. I hardly saw much of 10-seater and 5-door landcruisers on the four lane road. I was enjoying my tour in the city and I learnt may new things in the hotel and restaurant where we stayed. Living in the hotel and using a knife and fork on the dinning was very difficult for someone like me, but I was inspired of these.
Traveling to Western province on the DC aircraft, I saw many beautiful land scapes and was enpleased that our good Lord has moulded my country beautifully. It was my first time to see PNG's largest river, the Fly River. After arrival at Kiunga, I noticed something very unique. It was the greeting style which was different from that of mine in my own province.
The school that we went to see, I found some of my disability friends there to my surprise. I noticed that most of the students at the school were girls and very few boys. Seeing also people traveling on canoes without out triggers made me very nervous, however, I enjoyed and learnt many things out at Kiunga.
The shooting of the short videos and documentary with the video camera was a new thing to me and I was confused with some uses of it but I was grateful witht he assistance and teaching by my instructor, Mr. Robert Banasi.
I learnt from my instructor of very useful filming techniques which I enjoyed during the shooting in Kiunga. I always checked the camera's battery and applied all filming techniques on every shooting. Handling the video camera sometimes takes away my energy in working. However, it was interesting and it taught me many new things. The very most difficult part I experienced in shooting was when I was directed to film the canoes paddling across the Fly River.
Finally, I surely found confidence in using the video camera for shooting short documentaries or videos with little supervision. I would like to learn to the best of my ability to do very good shootings professionally in the future. However, the best thing that I experienced in this shooting learning process was the handling of the video camera."
"I felt very nervouse and scared of the aeroplane because it would be my first flight and a lifetime experience. I never flew to other provinces by plane before, only by road.
I learnt the safety instructions demonstrated by one of the flight attendants when I was onboard. I also learnt that at all times fastening of the seatbelts was one of the most important safety rules to adhere to before take off and before landing. To my surprise, at the security checkpoints, we were asked to remove all our things for scanning of illegal smuggling of drugs and other things. The International airport was huge and has many gateways I suppose.
Port Moresby was very huge to me compared to Madang with many streets, tall sky scrappers, inlcuding magnificient arts decorations on the roundabouts. I was amazed to see traffic lights with its busy cars. People appeared to be very busy with their work. I hardly saw much of 10-seater and 5-door landcruisers on the four lane road. I was enjoying my tour in the city and I learnt may new things in the hotel and restaurant where we stayed. Living in the hotel and using a knife and fork on the dinning was very difficult for someone like me, but I was inspired of these.
Traveling to Western province on the DC aircraft, I saw many beautiful land scapes and was enpleased that our good Lord has moulded my country beautifully. It was my first time to see PNG's largest river, the Fly River. After arrival at Kiunga, I noticed something very unique. It was the greeting style which was different from that of mine in my own province.
The school that we went to see, I found some of my disability friends there to my surprise. I noticed that most of the students at the school were girls and very few boys. Seeing also people traveling on canoes without out triggers made me very nervous, however, I enjoyed and learnt many things out at Kiunga.
The shooting of the short videos and documentary with the video camera was a new thing to me and I was confused with some uses of it but I was grateful witht he assistance and teaching by my instructor, Mr. Robert Banasi.
I learnt from my instructor of very useful filming techniques which I enjoyed during the shooting in Kiunga. I always checked the camera's battery and applied all filming techniques on every shooting. Handling the video camera sometimes takes away my energy in working. However, it was interesting and it taught me many new things. The very most difficult part I experienced in shooting was when I was directed to film the canoes paddling across the Fly River.
Finally, I surely found confidence in using the video camera for shooting short documentaries or videos with little supervision. I would like to learn to the best of my ability to do very good shootings professionally in the future. However, the best thing that I experienced in this shooting learning process was the handling of the video camera."
3rd Dec 2012 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
PNGADP Chairperson, Ipul Powesau
PNG ADP in collaboration with the Cheshire Disability Services, St John for the Blind, the Red Cross Inclusive School for the Deaf and Hohola Deaf School stage a successful program filled with speeches and talent shows.
Distinguished guests from WHO, Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen, AusAID, Dept for Community Development, the Education Dept and other government and service provider agencies were present. During the day's activity, WHO launched its Disability Toolkit.
There were two highlights for this day. The first lady of PNG, Ms Linda B O'Neil was the Guest of Honour when she presented as speech and officially accepted to be the Matron of the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons. As well as that the day ended with a talent show titled the "A" Factor (Ability factor) seeing children and adults with disability performing songs and dances in two categories; the group and individual categories. Photos to follow.
To read more please visit the World Health Organization website - http://www.who.int/features/2012/disability_papua_new_guinea/en/index.html
Speech from the First Lady of Papua New Guinea, Ms Linda O'Neil
Good Morning
Distinguished Guest
Ladies and Gentlemen
I wish to thank the committee members of the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons for inviting me to celebrate with you all, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A day that reminds us of the importance of inclusive development, as this year’s theme says “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”.
PNG is a country with many barriers that hinder the well being and prosperity of its citizens, such as poor infrastructure, lack of adequate medical and educational services, remoteness of many communities to access these facilities and lack of understanding of basic health. Just to name a few. With this in mind I can only imagine how more difficult it would be for people living with disabilities.
In having the opportunity to meet many wonderful people with disabilities one thing was constantly voiced; “We do not want hand outs or pity but to be given the skills, tools and opportunity to live an independent life to meaningfully contribute to our families, our communities and hence our country Papua New Guinea, “ A life of dignity”. This is essential for many abled body individuals such as myself to understanding and changing social attitudes towards people living with disabilities.
Contemplate not being able to go to school because there is not a wheelchair accessibility to get to your class on the 1st floor, not being able to gain meaningful employment due to lack of education and infrastructure, and not being able to get to the shops because there isn’t any means of specialized transport. These are everyday tasks of going to school, work and shopping that many abled-people take for granted every day.
I am humbled and privileged to be asked by PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons to become their your patron (matron). It is an honour to be given such trust. Today I wish to formally accept.
We have a long way to go in having enforced legislation, effective rehabilitation centres with specialized doctors and staff, more specialized education centres with more trained staff, infrastructure to allow accessibility to society, producing meaningful employment and breaking the barrier of societal attitudes, but standing here seeing you all together voicing and emphasizing the plight of living with a disability is commendable and forces us all to strive to break these barriers. As Patron I will forge more meaningful relationships with stakeholders including our government and together we can make a real difference in ensuring equal access to services and resources.
Thank you
Ms Linda B O’Neil
Distinguished guests from WHO, Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen, AusAID, Dept for Community Development, the Education Dept and other government and service provider agencies were present. During the day's activity, WHO launched its Disability Toolkit.
There were two highlights for this day. The first lady of PNG, Ms Linda B O'Neil was the Guest of Honour when she presented as speech and officially accepted to be the Matron of the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons. As well as that the day ended with a talent show titled the "A" Factor (Ability factor) seeing children and adults with disability performing songs and dances in two categories; the group and individual categories. Photos to follow.
To read more please visit the World Health Organization website - http://www.who.int/features/2012/disability_papua_new_guinea/en/index.html
Speech from the First Lady of Papua New Guinea, Ms Linda O'Neil
Good Morning
Distinguished Guest
Ladies and Gentlemen
I wish to thank the committee members of the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons for inviting me to celebrate with you all, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A day that reminds us of the importance of inclusive development, as this year’s theme says “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”.
PNG is a country with many barriers that hinder the well being and prosperity of its citizens, such as poor infrastructure, lack of adequate medical and educational services, remoteness of many communities to access these facilities and lack of understanding of basic health. Just to name a few. With this in mind I can only imagine how more difficult it would be for people living with disabilities.
In having the opportunity to meet many wonderful people with disabilities one thing was constantly voiced; “We do not want hand outs or pity but to be given the skills, tools and opportunity to live an independent life to meaningfully contribute to our families, our communities and hence our country Papua New Guinea, “ A life of dignity”. This is essential for many abled body individuals such as myself to understanding and changing social attitudes towards people living with disabilities.
Contemplate not being able to go to school because there is not a wheelchair accessibility to get to your class on the 1st floor, not being able to gain meaningful employment due to lack of education and infrastructure, and not being able to get to the shops because there isn’t any means of specialized transport. These are everyday tasks of going to school, work and shopping that many abled-people take for granted every day.
I am humbled and privileged to be asked by PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons to become their your patron (matron). It is an honour to be given such trust. Today I wish to formally accept.
We have a long way to go in having enforced legislation, effective rehabilitation centres with specialized doctors and staff, more specialized education centres with more trained staff, infrastructure to allow accessibility to society, producing meaningful employment and breaking the barrier of societal attitudes, but standing here seeing you all together voicing and emphasizing the plight of living with a disability is commendable and forces us all to strive to break these barriers. As Patron I will forge more meaningful relationships with stakeholders including our government and together we can make a real difference in ensuring equal access to services and resources.
Thank you
Ms Linda B O’Neil