MAF’s flights bring healthy vegetables from Mount Hagen to Balimo Teachers College, ensuring nutritious meals for students and staff.
Story by Aquila Matit
In a significant effort to enhance the nutritional intake of students and staff, Mission Aviation Fellowship in PNG is transporting fresh vegetables from Mount Hagen to the trainee teachers at Balimo Teachers College.
This idea, known as the Fresh Veggies Initiative, is a collaborative effort of the Sustainable Development Program (SDP) funded Balimo Teachers College and MAF.
Balimo Teachers College Principal Leslie Roai spoke of MAF’s role and the intention of this initiative.
“Despite the availability of other charter planes to Balimo, MAF’s service is crucial due to its direct connection to Mount Hagen, a prime vegetable-producing region. Without MAF’s reliable transportation, the delivery of fresh produce to Balimo would be unfeasible.
“We buy fresh produce of veggies such as sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, round and spring onions, carrot and many more,” he said.
“The vegetables are intended for the consumption of the college’s students and staff, ensuring they have access to a variety of nutritious food.”
Balimo Teachers College Finance Manager, Paul Pulei, gave an insight on how the initiative has and is set to function in the near future.
“This initiative, which began earlier this year, operates on a quarterly basis. The final delivery marks the final quarter supply, with previous deliveries having been successfully completed. Without MAF this would not be possible, we are happy for their regular flights to and from Balimo,” he said. “Next year, the plan is to run monthly."
The first time MAF brought our veggies, students were all happy
The vegetables bought from Mt Hagen are not only from one recognised buyer but also from local farmers who contribute to the supply, further supporting themselves and their communities.
The vegetables for the third quarter were supplied by Alfaseek2 Limited, a company based in Mount Hagen which supplies fresh produce to places on the coast which do not produce these veggies.
“Though there is no road access we have our produce delivered to use only within minutes in the air,” says Roai.
SDP’s engagement of MAF as a trusted transportation partner is a crucial link for change
Since the start of this initiative, students and staff have benefitted from the reliable supply of healthy choices.
Balimo Teachers College Student Representative Council (SRC) Vice President Lynne Kela said they were grateful and happy to have the vegetables brought in by MAF.
“The first time MAF brought our veggies, students were all happy. We had to carry the veggies to the mess. We are thankful, we are really grateful for the support that MAF is doing for us,” she said.
The Fresh Veggies Initiative is a joint initiative of the SDP and MAF for Western Province.
Watch Lynne Kela tell her inspiring story below