For the last four months, elementary teacher Warren Alfred has been busy building the school he will be teaching at next year. The recently completed elementary double classroom at Vesulogo in Sogeri, funded by the Kokoda Initiative and built with community support, replaces the cramped 4x6 metre shelter which had been used to cater for 76 students aged six to nine years. “I feel proud to be part of building this school. The whole community has been involved in this project which has been really positive,” Mr Alfred said. “We now expect an increase in enrolments next year to well over a hundred students.” The new school grounds includes four pit toilets, two 2000 litre water tanks and three water taps, providing students and the wider community access to safe water and sanitation. The Kokoda Initiative has supported the completion of two elementary schools at Vesulogo and Depo, close to the start of the Kokoda Track at Owers Corner. Both facilities will be ready for the official opening of the new school year complete with desks and chairs provided by the Local Level Government. In a joint agreement, the Vesulogo and Depo communities will provide labour for ongoing maintenance. The Building Board at the Central Works Department has been engaged to inspect and certify the completed buildings and service supplies. The construction of the elementary double classrooms is part of a range of health, education and water sanitation projects funded by the Kokoda Initiative Development Program on behalf of the Australian Government.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 02:14:45 +0000