Off to a Strong Start: Sanap Strong Builds Local Capacity in Oro Province

KTF’s Sanap Strong (meaning standing up strong) project is off to a strong start in Oro Province, working in close partnership with local organisations to build local capacity and embed a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence, family and sexual violence, and child harm.

With KTF’s support, the Papua New Guinea Counsellors’ Association (PNGCA) has delivered a five-day Community-Based Helper Training and a ten-day Basic Counselling Course for frontline professionals and community leaders. These participants are uniquely positioned to identify survivors, provide first-line support, and connect individuals and families to appropriate services.

The intensive training equips participants with practical counselling skills and a strong foundation in ethical, empathetic and survivor-centred practice, enabling them to respond holistically and confidently to violence within their communities.

With the recent graduation of 33 participants from the Basic Counselling Course in Sanananda, nearly 100 frontline community members have now been equipped with skills to better prevent and respond to violence across Oro Province — and this is just the beginning.

By strengthening local skills and leadership, Sanap Strong is helping to improve survivor support, uplift women, and empower communities to embed lasting, community-led change.

Led by KTF, in partnership with PNG Counsellors Association, with project technical support from the Pacific Community through the Pacific Women Lead at SPC programme, funded by the Australian Government