Archers' market vision comes to life in Salamaua
What happens when you bring together an architect, a social worker and an economist with a passion for their community?
You get the Salamaua Community Market, an initiative of Archer Leaders Development Alumni Jetta Caleb, Raylance Mesa, Joshua Sialis, Len Awinup and Jimmy Kiso who were awarded the inaugural Archer Reignite Grant, generously supported by Mundango Abroad, to bring their community project concept to life.
The team, comprised of Archers from 2011 to 2018, conceptualised the project in December 2019 and have been responsible for every step from design to implementation. With the global pandemic disrupting plans time and again, the team put their adaptive leadership learnings into action, showing great resilience to overcome any challenge or setback to bring their vision to life in a village nestled between the mountains and the sea on the coast of Morobe Province.
Last week, the marketplace’s official opening was cause for great celebration, of the market itself and the incredible community collaboration that built it. The project brought together the Buakap and Asini communities, councillors, school, church and community leaders; it generated local employment for carpenters and the sawmill; and a generous donation of solar lighting was made by a local businessman to illuminate the market and surrounds.
The final result is a purpose-built space for women who travel far from the surrounding region to sell a range of goods they harvest and make, including fish, market produce, clothing and bilums. It provides a safe location out of the tropical weather elements, generating income for the women and ultimately providing improved economic, health and education opportunities for their families.
Group leader Jetta, from Buakap village, reflects on the the project and what it means to his community,
“The marketplace means a lot to me as a young leader contributing to the development of my community and a great relief to men and women who sell their produce without proper marketplace for a long time. The hardship of accessing proper marketplace will be a thing of the past. It's a great relief that will improve lives of many who depend on market to earn income.”
We are incredibly proud of Jetta and the team, for the legacy they have left this community and for the incredible leaders they have become. We can’t wait to see what is next.
The recipients of the next Archer Reignite Grant, made possible by Mundango Abroad, are to be announced shortly.
