Mercy Works PNG projects are supported by Lenity Australia in partnership with AMS. The foundation’s valued contribution helps provide education and resources to the Eastern Highlands Province.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a beautiful country rich in culture and natural resources, but with many challenges. Rapid urbanisation has led to overcrowding, high unemployment and high crime rates. People in rural areas have severely limited access to health and education resources.
Mercy Works have several important projects located in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, PNG. Primarily their focus is on the region’s youth, their families and communities by raising awareness through life and skills training. A drop-in centre hosts various ongoing workshops in areas including human rights, reproductive health, business budgeting and positive parenting classes. Other programs include support groups for youths, income generation programs, radio programs, and the Sisters visit two prisons every week to provide skills training so upon release these men, women and juveniles have the ability to earn an income and not turn back to crime. Mercy Works also promote and raise awareness for healthier pregnancies, healthier individuals, families and communities by training Village Health Volunteers (VHV’s) to act primarily as birth attendants but also as general village health workers. Hospitals and clinics are few and far between in rural areas of Western Province, while resources are stretched.
In 2016 approximately 361 people have participated in the projects life and skills training. More broadly, the Mercy Works life and skills training has received national attention having been broadcast on several radio stations to an audience in excess of 600,000 people. Perhaps most importantly, approximately 850 people utilized the support programs which caters for victims of domestic violence, individuals who are incarceration and those suffering from depression.