Hako Women's Resource Centre - a project of HWC - has been many years in the making. The Resource Centre has also been a catalyst for other projects and the forming of working relationships - including, indirectly, this website. The Hako Women's Resource Centre was initially planned to be built at Laheitana in Tanamalo village. HWC successfully applied for funding of K100,000 from the ABG, and HWC arranged for surveying the site, preparation work including drafting and approval of plans and customary payments to chiefs. Unfortunately, due to redirection of funds by the ABG, the grant was withdrawn. The HWC is still searching for funds to build a training centre on this land.
More recently, HWC signed a lease agreement for a building combining the functions of office / safe house / resource centre in Ngalkobul village, using an existing building (previously a mechanic workshop). Alterations were completed in early 2015, partly using materials supplied via the shipping container project. Part of the building has been reconfigured to provide an emergency safe house for women escaping domestic violence. We are currently running a fundraising campaign to help HWC complete the Centre: click here .
More recently, HWC signed a lease agreement for a building combining the functions of office / safe house / resource centre in Ngalkobul village, using an existing building (previously a mechanic workshop). Alterations were completed in early 2015, partly using materials supplied via the shipping container project. Part of the building has been reconfigured to provide an emergency safe house for women escaping domestic violence. We are currently running a fundraising campaign to help HWC complete the Centre: click here .
The need for a Resource Centre in Hako was identified in the mid 2000s, not long after the formation of HWC, as a way of addressing some of the pressing problems in the Hako area. Hako constituency has the highest reported crime rate figures in Bougainville according to police statistics, arising from the absence or lack of services on the far north coast of Buka Island, difficulty of access to police services from north Buka area, and lack of any contact point for Hako people to access government services in Hako directly. Hako has a high population rate of young school leavers, childhood and teenage pregnancies, youth who have high expectations and no community development services for their ongoing education or up skilling for occupational opportunities. Buka District office, along with all other services, is several hours drive away in Buka town.
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| Starting work on converting the workshop into the Resource Centre |
- meetings and administration of HWC programs;
- training and education programs and courses coordinated by HWC;
- outreach services of HWC as a non-government Civil Service Organisation (CSO) in supporting Government another organisations' services for the benefit of Hako people, including Community Development Services, Buka District Office, Bougainville Women's Federation and Hako Munhil Assembly;
- support, training, resource provision and services to local schools, churches, health and hospital and sports associations etc. within the Hako Constituency and to any Bougainville wide initiatives that are consistent with the HWC Vision and Mission (rental income will help make the Centre self-supporting);
- a media unit to provide support and multimedia services to HWC programs;
- facilitating programs and training of trainers (TOT) for upgrading life skills such as sewing, craft and for female and male trade and technical courses;
- library and reference materials accessible by affiliates;
- services to Hako people such as photocopying, laminating certificates and other important documents, recharging of mobile phones using solar electricity. A small charge will be made for these services, to cover costs and maintain office services.
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