Peace Project Making Impact through Impact Clubs

Reserve Constable, Mr. Samson Timi had nothing but praise for the PEACE project funded by European Union through World Vision PNG.

From a mixed parentage of Angoram in East Sepik Province and Tawae -Siassi in Morobe Province, the soft-spoken officer was in tears as he told his story of how the Impact Project had given him hope.

At a tender age, he lost both his parents, and being the youngest in a family of seven, Samson's upbringing was tough. Nevertheless, he was determined to change his life story by being true to himself and being a great example in the community he lived in, especially among the youths.

"Growing up in a settlement, I understood the struggles youths faced daily, and the least I could do was lead and be a good example in the community, so I always tried my best to be a good role model, I cleaned around the community and took part in community activities as part of giving back to my community'', said Samson.

After dropping out of Grade 10 in 2008 due to financial constraints, he was back home in his Bumbu settlement, helping around and doing what the village councilors would ask.

It was there that he was introduced to the IMPACT Club under the Respektim Yu Yet, Respektim Narapela Na Yumi Sanap Wantime Project in 2021.

The Impact (Involvement, Motivation, Participation, Action, Teens) clubs are a group of young people who meet together to learn and develop relationships with each other; explore various learning topics as a group and individuals; identify community problems and assets; brainstorm, plan, and implement community service learning projects; and develop social enterprises as a way to support themselves and build up their communities.

The goal of the Impact Club is to develop competent and compassionate agents of change-young people who are motivated and equipped with the life skills and values necessary to make a difference in the world around them.

"I believe it was through the PEACE project that God has called me this far' 'said Samson, tearful.

Samson is an active Impact Club Leader of the "out-of-school youths 'program under the Ward 2 Youth Association.

The Ward 2 Youth Association is a Civil Society Organization that is partnering with World Vision PNG to implement the Respektim Yu Yet, Respektim Narapela Na Yumi Sanap Wantime Project in six wards within Lae city.

The club leaders are trained by World Vision PNG on how to teach the modules to the youths in the communities.

Ward 2 Association founder and president, Jacob Okimbari Peningi said the main objective of the association was to involve youths to have a voice in decision-making, and take part in sports, education, agriculture, and health awareness programs that will change their mindsets and behaviors.

"We are proud to partner with World Vision PNG because we want to support the youths through this association to do community projects and keep them away from taking part in illegal activities, getting youths involved in these activities will contribute to changing the communities and bring about positive impacts that are already showing through this project. 'stressed Jacob.

He further said it is evident how much the Impact+ Active Citizenship Curriculum has truly impacted the lives of the youths in the communities.

The Impact+ Active Citizenship Curriculum targets three outcomes, the first is developing and strengthening characters such as love, respect, responsibility, kindness, and gratitude. The second is through contribution, this happens through community service learning projects. This is when every club identifies a burden in their community to be removed or an asset to be strengthened by working together to find creative solutions. The final target outcome is to help youths to be competent, these are a combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes which are used to help others.

In the Impact Clubs, youths develop competencies, particularly in five central aspect areas; project management, communications competencies, innovation and creativity, personal and group management, and technical competencies.

"There is a lot of testimonies from youths speaking of the changes they have had individually and seen in the communities and around Lae city, at the current phase the PEACE project is going and the impact it has been having in all the communities, Lae will be a better, safer and violent free place," said Mr. Okimbari ecstatically.

Samson is currently attached to the China Town Police Station in Lae City, doing foot beat patrols around the markets and main bus stops and maintaining peace and a violence-free Lae. The World Vision PEACE project works in partnership with Ginigoada, Anis Foundation, and Ward 2 Association in Lae, giving a second chance to disadvantaged youths and helping them change their mindsets and behaviors and be good role models in the communities they live in.