When I came to UPNG as a first year, I was told that university would form the stepping stones of my life – little did I know just how much. One of the most strengthening foundation of these steps, has been the UPNG Peer Education program.

One thing that continues to prevail in almost every community the program has entered, is a lack of knowledge and understanding of what exactly “peer education” is all about, and the type of people who would consider doing this sort of “work.” This forms the main form of resistance to people willingly seeking help or being susceptible to information from the group. I used to be like that (and at times, I can get like that), but then I’ve come to realise that we can either stand back and complain about all the “sex, drugs, violence, and fornication,” or we can do something (no matter how small) to help. And so, we (as an organisation) face a double battle to simultaneously correct this view, and trying to meet the sexual and reproductive health information needs of the community – particularly one such as the University of Papua New Guinea.

Unlike most others I guess, I’ve been blessed to be a part of the Peer Educators (or “PeerEds” as we fondly call ourselves) as both a volunteer and staff member. Over the period of my involvement since 2006, I’ve helped introduce, and seen many challenges and changes occur in the program. I’ve had the privilege to travel to interesting places (both domestic and abroad), meet and work with many amazing and (sometimes) difficult people, seen and done things few people can claim to, and learnt heaps about health education (an area that I perceive to be fundamental in any society), and the general social issue situation from both a PNG, and global perspective. Above all, I’ve learnt a lot about myself as a young woman and individual – things I might add, my parents or elders would never have thought I should be told about when I needed to know; it has in turn, helped me to first and foremost, empower myself, and my family and friends. The program and the people I’ve encountered have opened my eyes to society’s ignorance, arrogance, fears, pain, and optimism when it comes to sexual and reproductive health…People know what they’ve done “wrong”; they want to know how to get out of that situation, and the least they need from us (as a community) is condemnation. From being praised, to being ridiculed, it has all been worth it. As I continue to emphasise, people are the greatest resource of any country, and such they should be invested in at their level: there’s no satisfaction like making someone smile about their own situation (in their time of trouble), and knowing that that is genuine.

There are countless memories, but among my fondest in the program, was being told at the beginning of the 2010 academic year by a senior professional student and (rather popular) national figure, that our “chat” the previous year had saved her life; she had contemplated suicide on that day, but by some twist of faith (I like to think it’s GOD at work), she stumbled into our Resource Room where I (at the time) was employed by the program as administrative assistant. It was a perfect birthday present for me! It’s testimonies like this that remind and re-enforce to me just how fragile and important everything we say, and do is. I’m aware that there have been a few PeerEds who’ve let the vision of the group down, but I’ve also witnessed other equally determined young women and men rise up to make a difference in other people’s lives – for that, I’m proud.

In 2009 (my then senior year), I went through my own personal “hell”: I’s excluded from studies, first semester. Granted, I’d a good reason (I’s constantly ill most of the semester, and am still facing this fight), but for someone  who’d never “failed” at anything in her life (despite all my hardships), this “development” made me question everything I stood for..Honestly, if it wasn’t for GOD and the people (I believe) HE used in/and through the peer education program, I would’ve done something I’d have eternally regretted – death seemed far better than facing the people who worked so hard to bring me to uni: my parents. Hope arose when Mrs. Garua Peni (UPNG ARSH Project Director) and Mr. Melkie Anton (UPNG ARSH Project Coordinator), with UNFPA, and UPNG gave me a job after my exclusion that has just expounded my capabilities, and for that I’m grateful beyond anything. I’ve been able to go on to opportunities my era of graduates from uni, haven’t even come close to: representative duties in policy discussions and implementation in both PNG, and overseas, and working amongst people in the issue I’m passionate about. Education is important, and I will get that degree, but the difference? It’s just a “big cherry” onto everything I’ve been able to do at UPNG because of the PE program. I’m now focused on establishing a youth empowerment/social business in Lae, Morobe Province within the next 12months, focusing on health education, life skills training (including computing, sewing, and carpentry), and job creation, with assistance I’m hoping from anyone who shares this common vision of community empowerment.

“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have, no matter how insignificant.”

We’ve come a long way from 1997 and 2006, and I hope that continues for years to come. Thank you everyone who has been involved with the UPNG PEER EDUCATORS, & may you continue to let GOD be the source of your inspiration to inspire others:)