Opening of the Tutu Beach Community Learning and Development Centre

Today marks an extraordinary celebration - the opening of the Tutu Beach Community Learning & Development Centre!

Decades long commitment of community leader, former Parliamentarian and Minister for Community Development, and one of PNG’s strongest education advocates, Dame Carol Kidu DBE AO, has established the Centre including the Sir Buri Kidu Library; that is now also home to KTF's Pari & Taurama FODE Centre, providing vital second chance high school opportunities to 108 students from the local community. In an exciting development, CEO Genevieve Nelson also announced that we will be working alongside Dame Carol to support the operations of a new early childhood centre at Tutu beach, kickstarting lifelong learning journeys.

It takes a village - literally - to bring together a centre that spans from early childhood to high school education. KTF is proud to play our part in the centre's partnership, which was kickstarted through generous support from the Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, member for Moresby South and Minister for Foreign Affairs, supporting the new building; the Sir Theo Foundation and the Canadian Government, generous supporters of our FODE operations; and partners the Ginigoada Foundation, Burnet Institute, TotalEnergies, Rotary and Tutu Siale Women’s Association, just to name a few.

The opening was celebrated today by an array of influential political, business and community leaders throwing their support behind this transformative initiative, including Ambassador Ann Yastishock, US Ambassador to PNG, Senior members from the Australian High Commission and Canadian governments, advocate of Pari education, Professor Sir Isi Kevau and PNG business community representatives, including Sir Mahesh Patel OBE and Richard Kassman OBE.

This centre is a powerful testament to the impact of collaboration, vision, and dedication. Congratulations to Dame Carol Kidu and all involved in creating a hub of learning, growth, and opportunity that will benefit the local community for generations to come.

The Pari & Taurama FODE Centre is generously supported by the Sir Theo Foundation and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.