Lumi links to the global community on World Environment Day
26 May 2009
The Village of Lumi will receive a huge telecommunications
boost, when the regions first internet connection is unveiled on
World Environment Day.
The Village of Lumi will receive a huge telecommunications
boost, when the regions first internet connection is unveiled on
World Environment Day.
For the first time, locals in this remote East Sepik Province
community will have access to important health, education, and
scientific information courtesy of the world wide web.
Professor Tim Flannery, conservationist and former Australian of
the Year will attend the event via cyberspace to showcase the
satellite technology, followed by the Australian High Commissioner
Mr Chris Moraitis.
Minister for Treasury Hon Patrick Pruaich and Sandaun Province
Governor Hon Simon Solo and international guests are among the many
important people that have been invited to attend to witness the
event.
The Tenkile Conservation Alliance (TCA) has been a major player
in overseeing the advance which will bring people in the village
and the region into the 21st century.
TCA Project Officers and Australian Volunteers International
(AVI) volunteers, Jim and Jim Thomas have been working within the
community for the past seven years, implementing research,
conservation training and sustainable livelihood projects.
In another first, on World Environment Day the TCA will also
unveil Lumi's first tiled building, a Community Training Centre
built by locals.
The community building project will provide a facility for
training workshops and provide meeting rooms for a range of village
business and interests.
The project, successfully completed over 12 months has provided
local resource owners with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
The event will begin at Lumi Station at 10am on World
Environment Day June 5, 2009.
In the Community Training Centre at the TCA Base in Lumi lunch
will be provided following the conclusion of the official program.
Please confirm attendance for catering purposes.
Photo Opportunities:
- A rare Tenkile (tree kangaroo) will be available for
photographs.
- Minster for Treasury Hon Patrick Pruaich and Governor Hon
Simon Solo will address the gathering.
- TCA volunteers Jim and Jean Thomas speak.
- The telecommunication system will be unveiled and Professor Tim
Flannery will give a speech via satellite followed by the
Australian High Commissioner Mr Chris Moraitis.
- The Community Training Centre will be officially opened.
- Traditional singsings will be performed by the local Wape
people.
We hope to see you in Lumi on Friday June 5, World Environment
Day."
Fact Sheet
- The Tenkile Conservation Alliance (TCA) is a non-government
organisation based in Papua New Guinea since 2001. Under the
direction of Australian Project Managers Jim and Jean Thomas, the
TCA has implemented many projects including research, conservation
and sustainable livelihood projects.
- Jim and Jean Thomas are also volunteers with Australian
Volunteers International (AVI). AVI has placed 1351 volunteers in
Papua New Guinea since 1964.
- The Tenkile, or Scott's Tree Kangaroo, was discovered by
Professor Tim Flannery in the Torricelli Mountain Range in 1989.
Since then the Tenkile has only been photographed on three separate
occasions. The rarity of the species led to the establishment of
the Tenkile Conservation Alliance.
- The rainforests in the Torricelli Mountain range are home to
three species of Tree kangaroo:- the Tenkile, Weimang or
Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo and Grizzled Tree Kangaroo. There is
no other mountain range in the world that has three species of tree
kangaroos co-existing.
- The TCA's goal, to protect biodiversity within the Torricelli
Mountain Range, is now widely recognised locally, nationally, and
internationally and has been described by Professor Tim Flannery as
"the best conservation - based NGO in Papua New Guinea."
- The newly built Community Training Centre will be used for
Conservation Area Management Training workshops. TCA will also
conduct Research Officer training, rabbit and chicken farming
workshops, HIV/AIDS Training, and a meeting place for village
business.
- TCA's Communication systems include a VHF radio, Satellite
telephone and now the new internet system. The internet system will
provide locals with access to a broad range of information that up
until now was unheard of in this part of PNG.
- The project has been generously supported with funding made
available through the Sustainable Development Program (SDP), New
Zealand Aid, Australian Volunteers International (AVI), Zoos
Victoria, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and KK Kingston.
For more information contact:
Jim and Jean Thomas
Tenkile Conservation Alliance
PNG mobile: + (675) 651 3448
Sat Phone in Lumi: + (63) 98 901 8716
Email: tenkile@datec.net.pg
Jimandjean2003@yahoo.com.au
Website: www.tenkile.com