KTF's 20-Year Anniversary: Keeping the Spirit of Kokoda Alive
This week, KTF (Kokoda Track Foundation), an Australian NGO, celebrates 20 years of collaboration and assistance to remote and rural communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Founded in 2003, KTF is dedicated to improving the lives, livelihoods and futures of PNG people and communities via programs in education, health, equality and leadership.
With a mere 3.6km separating our two nations, PNG and Australia are nearest neighbours who hold a special bond that was forged in the crucible of war, 81 years ago. The legacy of the Kokoda Track campaign lives on today, as a testament to the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who fought and died in the jungles of the Owen Stanley Ranges. It is a reminder of the horrors of war and the incredible strength of the human spirit and it serves as a beacon of hope for all those who believe in the power of courage and determination.
Inspired by this courage, sacrifice, endurance and mateship, a small group of Australians set out to establish and grow a tangible pathway for Australians to give back to the people of PNG. To honour the sacrifices of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, and to keep alive the spirit of Kokoda, the Kokoda Track Foundation was born on ANZAC Day in 2003 with a mission to lend a hand to our nearest neighbour.
This week, smiles and celebrations will abound at KTF’s 20th anniversary event in Sydney (Friday 28th April), where long-time supporters, board members, staff, volunteers, donors and partners will gather to celebrate the milestone. Esteemed guests will include KTF’s Chair, Ian Kemish AM (who served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea from 2010-2013 and has had a diplomatic career that has spanned twenty-five years); KTF co-founder and Chair from 2006 - 2016, Patrick Lindsay AM (Patrick is one of Australia’s leading non-fiction authors, broadcasters, filmmakers and public speakers, and has written extensively about Kokoda, Gallipoli, Fromelles and the spirit of the Digger); the Honourable Dadi Toka (Chairman of the Motu Koita Assembly and Deputy Governor of the National Capital District, PNG); and KTF CEO and co-founder, Dr Genevieve Nelson. The event will be MC’d by Jerome Sesega and Johnetta Lili, who were both part of KTF’s 2016 Archer Leaders Development Program.
“From humble beginnings, KTF has grown its reach and impact quite significantly and now has a presence right across Papua New Guinea” said Adjunct Professor Kemish. “We are proud of the journey of changing lives over the past 20 years - from our presence in health and education along and around the Kokoda Track, to our establishment of the Kokoda College, to lighting up tens of thousands of homes across the country, and to expanding to significant hubs in Western and New Ireland Provinces.”
The Australian home-grown NGO started by offering a scholarship program for children from the Track. Between the years 2003 - 2009, KTF supported 2,000 scholarships for children to attend primary and secondary schools and some university scholarships. Today, KTF is a holistic development NGO with hubs and Colleges in Australia, Port Moresby, Kokoda, Manari, Sanananda, Balimo, Lake Murray, Morehead, Hanuabada and Lihir.
“20 years is an extraordinary milestone and one we are very proud of” said Dr Nelson, KTF’s CEO. “This week we are celebrating all that has been achieved through so many great partnerships and we pay tribute to the network of dedicated people who make up the family of KTF. I am so grateful to the staff, directors, volunteers, donors and partners of KTF who have supported so many high-impact projects for two decades. The KTF family is keeping the spirit of Kokoda alive, 81 years on.”
KTF’s impact over the past 20 years includes:
Trained 3,685 elementary teachers across 14 provinces, supporting 150,000 children to remain in the formal schooling system.
Supported more than 2,500 students on second-chance FODE education pathways.
Built the Kokoda College; and supported the establishment and delivery of the academic program across 8 other Colleges and outreach programs in Central Province, Western Province, NCD and New Ireland Province.
150 schools supported with resourcing, technology and coaching for teachers.
Delivered ongoing in-service and professional development to 278 trainers who support 6,000+ teachers.
Built and supported the operations of 8 schools along and around the Kokoda Track.
Delivered primary healthcare to a catchment population of 108,000+ people for a decade via the operations of 17 aid posts, health centres and hospitals and the running of integrated health patrols.
Supported 53 health facilities in Oro Province with solar infrastructure, staffing, drugs and medical resources and/or operating costs.
Supported 36 community health workers to train and/or deliver primary healthcare across Oro Province and the Kokoda Track.
Distributed over half a million kits of WASH and PPE resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
100+ survivors of family and sexual violence have been supported at Oro Province’s only safe house.
Installed household solar lighting and energy systems onto 13,000 homes across remote and rural PNG, lighting up the lives of 65,000 people, and improving education, health, safety and happiness.
13 years of finding and fostering the next generation of leaders via the Archer Leaders Development Program, which now has alumni of 90+ young leaders.
KTF will continue its 20th anniversary celebrations throughout the year including via a Kokoda trek in July with senior staff and directors, whereby it will officially open new infrastructure at the Mt Koiari FODE Centre, and hold a celebration in Kokoda village at the Kokoda College.
KTF is grateful to the many partners and donors who have supported its work over 20 years. In particular, KTF is grateful to: PNG Sustainable Development Program, Australian Government (via ANCP, Pawarim Komuniti, Team Up and the Kokoda Initiative), PNG Government, Newcrest Sustainability Fund, Bill and Liz James, Mundango Abroad, Web of Hope Foundation, the Fred P. Archer Trust, Kina Bank, Puma Energy Foundation, Schneider Electric Foundation, Little Hearts Learning, Canadian High Commission via the Canada Fund, RSL & Services Clubs, Ashurst, Rotary, the Kokoda trekking industry, and the many many generous individuals and organisations who have been a part of the journey.
Photography courtesy of Dean Arek and Pidgin Productions.