Church Partnership Program Papua New Guinea

August is a mother-of-four who lives in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. August recently learnt to read, write and sew clothes after taking part in training activities through the Church Partnership Program. With the income earned from selling her homemade clothes, August was able to buy her own sewing machine. She also taught her husband to sew, and together they have started a small business. Now they have enough money to send their children to school. “I have my dreams for my children and what I want them to become in the future,” she smiles. “I want them to become teachers, nurses and leaders.”

With men almost twice as likely as women to hold a paid job due to gender inequality, education is a key driver for change. “Literacy helps us to realise bigger and better things that will help change our lives,” August says. Best of all, August is now using her skills to help others. “Whatever I know, I must teach other mothers to learn what I have learnt.”