This is an article on the KURUMBUKARI RAMU NICKEL COBALT MINING HIV AIDS AWARENESS, EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING project in Rai Coast, Madang Province funded by Oxfam Australia through Oxfam International Youth Parliament (OIYP).
The project was aimed at strengthening and broadening the mindset as well as stressing the need for the people within the Kurumbukari Ramu Nickel Cobalt Mining area to be educated and empowered in preparation for the greater interaction and sudden shift in the normal day to day activities to one that is ridden with tension and excitement. The area in its current form is an underdeveloped region and the accessibilities to government services are very poor. Even communication links are so bad that people still resort to traditional forms of living for their own sustenance. The cost of moving store goods and selling their cash crops are so expensive.
The former and current university students and other stake holders who are directly or indirectly related to the proposed mining area were mobilized, after observing that the people will be more vulnerable to the spread of HIV AIDS in the proposed mining area. We embarked on this task to fully become an active player in implementing this project together with the support of the local communities and relevant authorities, especially in the Raicoast area of Madang based on the physical observation that such a challenge exist for the learned individuals and the people of Madang to assist as much as possible.
There were so many factors identified regarding general development concern in the previous awareness campaign ranging from ignorance, lack of information infiltrating the periphery of the unfortunate communities, poor participation and underdeveloped infrastructure denying access to a fully fledged communication process and exchange of ideas and information. I must make note that Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) – TOKAUT AIDS is also actively involved in combating the spread of HIV AIDS through training and awareness using dramas in the same area.
These setbacks are dangerous and would make the communities more vulnerable to the oncoming disadvantages and threats to their own communities and lives. It has also slowed down their participation and ability to cope with all the globally oriented changes. As a consequence, we engaged in the exercise to give the opportunity to our mothers and youths in having first hand interaction to fully understand the dangers of HIV AIDS. This is a caring initiative also undertaken as a case study to feed relevant authorities and at the same time highlight the onslaught of HIV AIDS and the need to be empowered in all forms through capacity building and ensuring proper mechanisms are in place to safeguard the harmonious relationship, interactions and prospects of a vibrant community living.
This project was well appreciated by the target communities in Rai Coast beginning from Sel, Mur, Saidor Station and ending in Swit Galeg Villages. The turnouts were huge with people coming from the nearby villages in hundreds, which demonstrated their will power in taking this challenge. Hence, the emphasis was on the involvement and mobilization of Local Level Government Councils, small entrepreneurs, youth leaders, women leaders, church elders, retired public servants, teachers and students as important ingredients of the society to be given the desired support in fighting HIV AIDS in their own respective communities. We were very well supported by Thomas Waidau as a Kiap, who became the key figure in organizing and mobilizing support
The major aim of the project was to strengthen the people of the Kurumbukari Ramu Nickel Cobalt Mining through awareness, education, empowerment and capacity building in understanding the pros and cons of the mining boom which can also bring to their doorstep the uncontrollable spread of HIV AIDS and where and how possible can they organize their own communities. It was strongly emphasized that the government’s announcement of the multimillion kina mining development must also be equally stepped up by raising the awareness level and networking the communities in preparation to fight HIV AIDS and minimize its spread.
We decided to be a bit different in our approach towards implementing our program and unlike the current approach undertaken by most organizations, we were more mindful of the existing barriers and challenges that exist within the communities. As a result, our techniques were not to be seen as deliberately imposing a regime on their acceptable limitations and approved norms. We established that in order for the communities to appreciate our efforts, we must first be accepted as “not just another routine group” but an integral part of them. We were very conscious of creating divisions. Hence, we analysed that, if we were going to be successful we must offer them linkages by working more on the impact analysis. Especially, as to where their future rest and how similar communities like them have suffered badly when they were unprepared.
This might upset the trend in acceptable methods undertaken, but we were optimistic that a fight against the spread of HIV AIDS must be pragmatic and successful. Most communities appear to be ignorant but this can be an oversight based on our own perceptions. This then creates the challenge of establishing the norms, values, principles, traditions or common ground in instituting any radical changes in the mindset of the people. The rationale that, it is compulsory to know certain aspect of HIV AIDS appears to be driven without a real parallel assessment to the cause effect analysis. On that basis, we were confident that the information dissemination must carry a high level of passion and psychology that is destined to cause a paradigm shift in the way the people respond.
We realise that most of the time educators fall short of understanding that the way people react are based on their own diverse orientations. It can be culturally, genetically, pretentiously, financially etc. This ought to be seen as the capacity to comprehend and should not be misjudged to affect the planning process. In such a case it is advisable to establish entry points and open up by firstly being accepted conscientiously. Once, that is accomplished then efforts to educate and empower the people will not be seen as an imposition of a regime on the target communities.
Hence, we emphasized cultural heritage, spiritual building and respect for community leadership, laws and guidance as instruments to fight against HIV AIDS in the proposed mining areas. In this instance, through educating the people about the anticipated consequences of having unprotected sex and promisciousity, use of alcohol and drugs that are contributing to the spread of HIV AIDS, especially in a congested environment where the under preparation of the locals and ignorance can lead to a disillusioned and fragmented community in a fast changing environment of cash, careless attitude and premature excitement.
It was observed that the people are already endangered by being so frustrated about the lack of development as established in the project implementation. This is based on the fact that they are now more geared into the commercial spin-offs aspect of the mining then anything else, since the first announcement of the new development project. The people have been placed in a very awkward situation by not being given sufficient awareness on the consequences of HIV AIDS spreading with the mining and development boom. It was equally observed that the people being so frustrated about the lack of development will not be at liberty to properly exercise their appreciation on the returns of the mining boom.
The people have mentally and practically deviated from the social implications of such a major project and how best they can organize themselves. Hence, the project become a cornerstone in ensuring clear demarcation and highlighting the roles and responsibilities of every person within the mining region. It was emphasized that the hierarchy of the community structure must be fully utilized and strengthened. This began by alerting parents, children and especially women and youths about the influx of new people into their communities and the possibilities of HIV AIDS spreading rapidly within the new mining area.
We also emphasized that educating councilors, church leaders, youth, women and other village leaders about their roles and responsibilities in the line with the new HIVAIDS Management and Prevention Legislation and the impact of HIV AIDS worldwide and in the country will become the mechanism to prevent the spread of HIV AIDS. Alerting children, women and youths about the influx of new people and new opportunities for their communities, their level of vulnerability and the possibilities of HIV AIDS spreading rapidly, as well as the approach towards treating the patients and the social realties within their areas became an aggressive agenda for discussion as the communities appeared to be not ready at all.
In line with National Aids Council strategy, the project ensured that the communities were fully made aware of the prevention of HIV AIDS in their own environment. Emphasis was also placed on knowing about traditional courtships, marriage arrangements, and traditional obligations of marriages. Questions concerning the advantages and disadvantages regarding the prevention and spread of the virus relating to the application of such concepts were strongly stressed guided by the impact of village leaders. In fact, the people agreed that they did have traditional methods of family planning, taboos to stay faithful to one sexual partner and all of these important practices became the core awareness concepts to inform and educate the community members.
Many in the communities expressed that they have heard of the virus but do not really know the prevention measures due to certain existing barriers. That also became our responsibility to educate them on the use of condoms for both male and female parties. Although there were some reservation about the use of condom due to the strong involvement of churches and cultural norms, we managed to adapt a 3 Dimensional Approach, which incorporated the ABC method, cultural obligation and practices, as well as the principle of discipline and obedience as emphasized by both the Churches and Traditional ethics. There appears to be some level of understanding and awareness but more aloof and not connected to a major subject of analysis.
With a local view towards condemning the PLWHA as registered on the recent Mapping Survey, we highlighted in line with the HIV AIDS Management and Prevention Legislation, that the infected are just like any other living human beings who need food, shelter, comfort and caring families to live until they are fully blown HIV AIDS victims who need hospital assistance. This segment attracted criticisms because the people were not aware of the Mapping Survey and views sought were wrong. The legislation also stunned many as it somehow slowed their natural response in any given scenario.
The communities argued that it is not stigma when they are only protecting themselves and condemning those already infected. When the issue of stigma was further discussed the people were so mad about the law. However, they were all reminded that it can be seen as a breach of the new legislation and the penalties are quite harsh. At the same time emphasis on potential treatment and warning against unsupervised treatment were clearly outlined, although the people wanted to really know of the Anti RetroViral (ARV) and if there was a cure found yet.
The people agreed that their cultural heritage, spiritual building and the respect of community leadership, laws and guidance are the instruments to fight HIV AIDS in the new mining area and should be part and parcel of the development and not just to fully benefit in the development process through the royalties and premiums. As a consequence, the people themselves will take appropriate measures to ensure that a dreadful disease like HIV AIDS must be avoided at all cost and every individual has a responsibility to broadening the awareness and understanding of HIV AIDS.
In every presentation, there were a lot of interest shown and the attendance was in hundreds comprising of more youths and mothers. However the women amongst the groups were not effectively participating by way of asking questions and taking part in discussion, which was a usual thing in almost all occasions. A government officer always accompanied us as our link to the people and in most occasions represented the people to ask open questions. It was indeed very challenging to implement our program when people reacted strongly against certain things that we raised.
The people as usual were angered that not enough awareness were raised and that was not good for them to be part of such a gigantic project. The people blasted the authorities for not doing enough in ensuring that the communities were well placed to participate in the development. They openly suggested that if they are really vulnerable then the mining operation must not resume until after everything was in order. They said they did not really care if the government wants it or not, although we reminded them that there were already agreements signed between the investor, government and the landowners.
That was not even convincing since the people feared that a good generation can easily be wiped out and as such they will not benefit from their natural resource development. It then became a very sensitive issue to address resulting in heated exchanges with villagers saying that they do not have enough of their own people educated to participate in the employment opportunities, they do not have the capital to even set up businesses and there is no feeling of political leadership driving the people forward in addressing such critical issues.
Another of the issues raised were that seasonal campaigns and awareness programmes are not healthy for the communities due to the fact that such programmes are subject to funding and resources availability. However, the communities would want to be effectively involved on a permanent basis and not just on ad hoc. This we thought was a valid point because it will open up participation and interest amongst the communities to enable them to consistently implement their programmes in line with the national programmes. Therefore, there is a need for a decentralised and sustainable uniform structure, which must effectively synchronise all programmes and partnership both in the rural and urban centres, rather than loose establishments without proper monitoring and evaluation.
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