Australian visit

Six members of the Hako Women's Collective are now on their way home after a very busy and fruitful visit to Australia. For some, it was their first time outside PNG. It was a great opportunity to meet friends and supporters, to find out a bit about Australian life,  and get some ideas and inspiration for  the projects they are working on in Buka. A big thank you to the many people who contributed in one way or another to make the trip a success.

The focus of the trip was the Colour Conference in Sydney.

The HWC has a strong interest in education, especially for early childhood, so it was great to have the opportunity to spend some time at  JamisonTown Public School in Penrith and Boundary Lane Children's Centre in Darlington. Both were very welcoming and provided an enormous amount of information, insight and food for thought. It was also a wonderful cultural exchange, especially at JamisonTown, where the HWC were invited to address the school assembly, and gave a vivid description of the contrasts with the school experience of Buka children.

Another great experience was a special visit to the Australian Museum to see some of the precious items from Bougainville. The Museum's Virtual Museum of the Pacific project looks like it will be worth following up.

Near the end of the trip, the group had a few days in Canberra, also packed with meetings and visits.


The group will post photos, and more information about the trip, when they get the chance. It may take a little while, as getting access to the internet is not a straightforward business in Buka!

HWC Mission Statement

Hako: Aga u Kao ri Hako ke hihitaguhu, hihatuts, bate hatapa haniga e naga a han I tagaga

English: ‘In response to the current situation in our community, we the women of Hako are committed to work together, help each other & teach & train our people to build a safe, secure, just & peaceful society creating an environment conducive to sustainable, integrated development for the

common good of our children & their children'.   
See Flier