Making Manus Basket

Meet Rachael Pokiau from Waratalai village in the Manus south coast. Every day as we go about our usual daily routine she sits at a corner of a flat at Green Haus in Badili weaving her baskets. She has been in Port Moresby for a month now and I couldn’t let this opportunity go but ask her how she makes those wonderful Manus basket. Like all the art of making something, her skills and knowledge had been handed down to her by her mother. As she explains it starts off with husking a special type of tree that is in the bush. They let it lie in water for a month until it becomes rotten. After that it is dried and stripped into small pieces enough to start weaving. There are two types, the small one is called Drobanahin and the big one is called Drobagungan. As in many cultures in Papua New Guinea, baskets were mainly used for bride prize and special occasions as well as for carrying items.

Civil Registry goes electronic

The Civil Registry Office within the Department of Community Development which was formerly known as Department of Welfare recenlty converted to electronic registering of forms for Death, Birth and Marriages. Once recieved, the lodgement is inputted into the system and registered and given a number. Upon collection the number is scanned and is pulled up for collection. This system is in line with the recently upgraded IT system that was launched by the Minister, Hon Dame Carol Kidu two months ago.

Ute on Sale!

Selling our family ute. Nissan Navara single cab in good running condition. As is where is basis. Recently spray painted and serviced with new oil filter, battery as well as new apolstry on the seat. K19 500.00 or nearest offer. Should be on the pngcars website as well. Contact 72167778

Successful BRIGDE workshop concludes in Port Moresby

The BRIDGE workshop run by UNIFEM ended on a very successful note on the 22 October 2010. The two week workshop saw participants from different backgrounds participate with the aim to become facilitators of the BRIDGE program. The program saw twenty participants at the beginning however eighteen successfully completed the program and received their certificates. Pictured are some activities during the two week long session. Pic by Henao Lister

REFURBISHED BRANCH LAUNCHED

Recently the ANZ Lae branch was refurbished and jointly launched by senior executives of ANZ Vishnu Mohan and Michael Rowland. The occasion also saw a gala dinner later that evening at the Lae International Hotel. ANZ is celebrating its centenary anniversary of hundred years in Papua New Guinea.

Pics-KP