Disability is not an obstacle to volunteer service

Disability is not an obstacle for 37 years old Yalamo Anzip, as a volunteer teacher in the remote Wampar community in Huon Gulf District of Morobe Province.

Anzip is one of the 14 National Volunteer Service (NVS) participants who graduated during the last weekend after a week induction training at Okari campus in Lae.

Anzip is a long-time volunteer serving in Mamabogeba, a remotest along the Watut river.

During the graduation, he tells his story on his challenge as a person living with disability, serving in such a remotest place. "I was born armless, and I used to use both my toe as fingers to hold the biro and write, and that is the way I prepare the children’s lessons."

"Being a disabled person, doesn't stop me to do the work like other abled bodies, but I am grateful for my relatives, who sometimes assist me."

Anzips advice to other people living with disability, not to be discouraged. Anzip said, " to others who are also like me but have talents to do something; never look down on yourself. Use your talents to do something that worth a living."

National Volunteer Service, Training Coordinator, Oyafa Yavi explained that the training, is for capacity building.

Yavi said, “we are taking them through the various important topics in the volunteer guide, so they can understand their roles and responsibilities in their respective communities.”

The training involved 7 volunteers each for Community Health and Education.

They signed their oaths and were certified to return to their place of volunteer service.

Participants came from the remote parts of Huon Gulf, Kabwum, and other parts of Morobe.