Ipatas Foundation creating opportunities for drop-outs

Caption: (left to right) Zeala Win, Governor Ipatas, and Pricila Saka

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, October 30, 2013 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

THAT was the appreciative response from all 39 recipients given a second chance to advance their studies by the Ipatas Foundation, in Heavy Diesel Mechanics at the Site Skill Training Centre on the island of Luzone, in the Philippines.

The student were from all over Enga Province, flew out of the country on Monday, and were the pilot group to take part in the initiative by the Governor for Enga Peter Ipatas to use education as a path for development, in partnership with the Orion Group and Site Group International.

Of the 39 that flew out of the country, two were female; Zeala Win and Pricilla Saka, who both said was a huge opportunity and a step in the right direction for women in Enga, to show the ability of women to be equals in the profession, of heavy diesel fitting, an occupation dominated by men.

Zeala praised her governor for setting up the foundation by providing free education and breaking the boundaries for all Engans to aspire to be educated and successful.

“In our society at home the priority is for males, and this is a chance for us to get out and for everyone back home to recognize that we have the ability to make a difference as women.”

“There is a saying back home that, meri nonap kalapim diwai (Tok Pisin for a woman cannot climb a tree), something I want to change by working hard to achieve my certification after the program.”

Another student, Maxwell Waim, who dropped out at grade 10 in 2008, and did odd jobs for over the last four years to earn a living- the last being a grease boy at a mechanical workshop.

“This is a chance for us on a golden plate, and am very thankful of our governor who lives by his actions,” he said.

The first batch will study at the training facility for six months, after which they will head back home to take up apprenticeships within the industries in PNG for another six months- before gaining Australian Certification in their field.

On congratulating the travelling students, Enga Governor Peter Ipatas said the first batch will be a test for the initiative, and pending its outcome the initiative will continue for the long run.

He challenged the students to perform in their studies as the program would cost the provincial K5 million, which could have gone to other important areas within the province. 

A total of 120 selected students are set to undergo training in the Philippines, with the next 40 to study hospitality, and the last batch to study fabrication, to travel in the next few weeks.