Auwim, East Sepik Province (Papua New Guinea) - June 14, 2024 - Auwim, a remote village close to the border of East Sepik and Enga Provinces in Papua New Guinea, was visited by Adventist Education Services Director Mr. Lancedown Wirise and Senior Inspector of General Education Services Mr.Johnson Hapma on Wednesday, June 12th, 2024.

The purpose of the visit was to initiate the process of registering Auwim SDA Primary School, a beacon of hope for a community neglected due to its geographical location.

Community leaders expressed their deep desire for education in emotional speeches. One leader stated, "Many mocked us, calling us the back page of the province. Yet, we believe your visit today marks a new chapter, bringing us to the forefront."

Mr. Hapma, the Senior Inspector, pledged his support to expedite the registration process. He urged the community to work together with the Seventh-day Adventist Church to make their dream a reality.

Mr. Wirise assured the community that the necessary paperwork for registration is already in order and will be submitted shortly.

Following the program, officials toured the school for an inspection and a reception was held to honor the guests and community leaders.

Special thanks were given to Sr. Christine Gawi, Mrs. Linda Lalo, Masandanai Seventh-day Adventist Church, and volunteer teachers Mr. Venes Singafi and Mrs. Singafi for their two-year initiative to establish the school. Their dedication is bringing vital education services to Auwim.

Kreer SDA Primary School, which started as an elementary school in 1995, has graduated its first batch of 29 grade six students under the newly introduced 166 education system. 

The school, which is almost 28 years old, received approval from the Adventist Education Services of Sepik Mission and the East Sepik Provincial Education board to upgrade from the old Outcome Based Education (OBE) system to the new 166 system in 2020.

A special dedication program for the pioneer graduating students was conducted and officiated prior to the graduation ceremony by the church Pastor for Gander Memorial Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor David Kiak. He congratulated the students for their achievement and encouraged them to continue their education with faith and diligence.

The graduation ceremony was attended by dignitaries such as School Inspector for Wewak East Coast Cluster, Mr. Philip Rofunduo, Mission Secretary for Sepik Mission, Pastor Jeffrey Saigomi, Education Director for Sepik Mission, Mr. Lancedown Wirise, Chairman of the Board of Management for Kreer SDA Primary School, Mr. Tom Balagawi, and the Assistant Chairman of the Board of Management, Mr. Anton Namuesh.

Mr. Wirise announced that the school has officially been recognized by the government as a registered institution and is now eligible to receive fundings and other support from the government. He also commended Gander Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church, Sepik Mission, the Provincial Education Department, parents, board and the community for their support to bring the school to this stage.

The Ambunti Adventist Primary and Elementary School in East Sepik province hosted a combined graduation ceremony this year on Tuesday, 28th November, 2023. The event was attended by more than 200 students, parents, teachers and community members, as well as two special guests from the Sepik Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The graduation program began with a prayer and a sermon by Minister Kimon Kaple, the church pastor of Ambunti Seventh-day Adventist Church. He urged the students to obey God and their parents, as obedience is the key to success in life. He also congratulated the graduates for their achievements and encouraged them to continue with God wherever their pathway may lead.

The headmaster of Ambunti Adventist Primary School, Mr. Hames, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their time and presence. He said that the school was blessed to have the Sepik Mission delegates, who were Mr. Joe Philip, the communication director, and Mr. Lancedown Wirise, the education director of the mission. He also acknowledged his hardworking and dedicated teachers, the parents of the students, and the students for making it this far in their education.

The highlight of the program was the presentation of awards and gifts to the students who excelled in their academic and extracurricular activities. The top students in each grade received certificates, gifts and other prizes from their teachers. In appreciation of their teachers, the students presented gifts.

The program ended with farewell speeches from a grade eight student representative and a grade seven student, respectively. They expressed gratitude to everyone who made their schooling and, ultimately, this graduation possible.