“The donation of furniture is truly valuable to us. You are empowering us to go one step further in maintaining peace and order and fighting family and sexual violence issues. Thank you, Femili PNG.”
Local leaders have praised the support, noting that it will go a long way in helping them tackle law and order challenges and address family and sexual violence (FSV) at the community level.
Femili PNG, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), presented a round table, six chairs and biros to the Lae 9 Mile Village Court officials on 3 August 2026 at the 9 Mile market. Present for the handover were Richard Andrew (9 Mile Market Manager), Peter Ngamalu (Village Court Chairman), Pius Bill (Community Police Reservist), Philip Taminza (Community Leader), village court magistrates Paul Kisa and Sethy Insoki, women’s representative Brigita Gar, and members of the community from the market.
The donation aims to support the day-to-day work of law-and-order frontline officers as they maintain peace and order across the eight zones of Ward 11, Wampar LLG, in the Huon Gulf District of Lae.
Speaking during the presentation, Village Court Chairman Peter Ngamalu said: “Since we started in 2010, this is the first ever support we have received, and we are indeed grateful. It will strengthen what we are doing now.” He noted that the Village Court in Ward 11 had not received any furniture support since it was established, until Femili PNG, through UNFPA funding, came in with the table and chairs. He also encouraged members of the public, including mothers, fathers and children, to seek help from Femili PNG, which provides case management services to survivors of FSV in Morobe Province.
Speaking on behalf of Femili PNG and UNFPA, Project Administrator Joannah Seng thanked the local leaders for their remarks and commended them for their commitment to community-based protection efforts. She encouraged the community members of 9 Mile Ward 11 to take ownership of the newly donated village court furniture, caring for it as part of a shared investment in local FSV and GBV response. She noted that the handover reflects the value of coordinated partnerships between Village Court leaders, community members and service providers in strengthening protection and referral pathways for survivors and marks the start of a new chapter of collaboration in combating FSV and GBV in their community.
The donation also sparked action from Richard Andrew, a young leader who has taken on the role of 9 Mile Market Manager. On seeing the new furniture, he took the initiative to pledge flooring materials and, together with a group of youths, laid a concrete floor in the Village Court house so the table and chairs could be properly installed.
Femili PNG continues to foster partnerships and empower communities through practical support like this, made possible with the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through funding from KOICA.
