People with special needs launch own self help scheme in Mt Hagen
In a first of its kind in Papua New Guinea, persons living with special needs in Hagen Central District of Western Highlands Province launched their own self-help loan scheme aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting financial independence among members.
The Hagen Central Disabled Persons Association on Thursday [June 4] distributed the first round of loans to 25 members, with each recipient receiving K200 to start or expand small income-generating activities.
The initiative was made possible through a K20,000 funding support from the Mt Hagen City Authority and is designed to help people with special needs create a sustainable source of income while reducing dependency on outside assistance.
The Association Technical Advisor Daniel Pamnda said the loan scheme will operate on a revolving basis.
Borrowers are required to repay the K200 loan with an additional K25 interest within one month.
Mr. Pamnda added the repaid funds will then be loaned to other members until all 180 registered members of the association have benefited from the program.
He described the initiative as a major milestone, saying it demonstrates that persons living with special needs can take ownership of their own development and economic empowerment.
The group also thanked Hagen Open MP and State Enterprises Minister William Duma for recognizing the challenges faced by persons with special needs and supporting efforts to improve their welfare and economic participation.
One of the Association member Minister Elvin John said the success of the program follows years of internal reforms aimed at restoring trust and accountability within the organization.
He revealed that in the past, resources and funding intended for those with special needs were often misused by able-bodied officials who managed the association.
And to address those concerns, the association restructured its leadership and appointed persons living with special needs to key executive positions, ensuring that decisions and resources directly benefit the people they are intended to serve.
The two Association representatives further said the self-help loan scheme marks the beginning of a new chapter for persons with special needs in Hagen Central and could serve as a model for similar organizations across Papua New Guinea.
This initiative is being hailed as a significant step towards economic inclusion, self-reliance, and empowerment for persons living with special needs in Papua New Guinea.
During the launch, MiBank Mt Hagen Branch Manager Paul Lati urged the association and its members to educate themselves on Financial Literacy and that MiBank can assist with their account opening and transactions right at their doorstep.
Philemon who is a survivor of Abortion and now has problem with his mobility and speech thanked the Association for seeing the ability as a normal person and for trusting them for their own survival.
" I am a disabled person. But when I first came to join the Association and the opportunities it has offered to me to do self sustaining activities, I took wholeheartedly and now I am proud to say physically I am disabled but I see myself as someone who has a worth in the community because I am not dependent on others," says Philemon.