First-of-its-kind Barefoot Counselling Course in Oro Province
Last week, KTF (Kokoda Track Foundation) in partnership with Papua New Guinea Counsellors’ Association (PNGCA) supported a 10-day upskilling training workshop. Located in Kokoda, Northern Oro Province, this workshop was conducted from Wednesday 12th – Friday 21st of April at KTF’s Kokoda FODE College and delivered a Basic Counselling Course to 24 eager participants.
PNGCA's Association facilitators, President Susan Setae and Board Member Momoru Nao, travelled to Oro Province (both based in Port Moresby) to deliver the first-of-its-kind training for the Province. The training covered various topics including counsellor’s self-awareness and acceptance, what is counselling, ethics and confidentiality, understanding client needs and psychosocial development; and practical tools and methods utilised in counselling
An attendee of the training says, “GBV and FSV is always there in the community but there’s not enough awareness of where/ whom to see in the community. There should be more counsellors in each community so people can know whom to see when issues arise.”
KTF’s Project Zero, aims to address Gender-based Violence (GBV), Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) and Child Protection (CP) in Oro Province. KTF is proud to have implemented this inaugural training in partnership with PNG Counsellors Association to partners working on the ground in Oro Province and addressing these critical challenges. The attendees of the training workshop came from various local partners from Oro Provincial Government including the Department of Community Development; Provincial Division of Education and the Law and Justice Sector; Popondetta’s Family and Sexual Violence Unit; Saiho Police; Correctional Services; Community Health Workers and Village Health Volunteers from Kokoda, Gorari and Popondetta; Teachers from Kokoda, Gorari and Sorovi; Oro’s Safe House, women’s leaders; Anglican Church Diocese of Popondetta; and KTF’s Kokoda FODE College.
The training closed with powerful reflections and a round table discussion on ways forward for these newly trained counsellors in Oro Province. Ultimately, the training will have an ongoing effect in the Oro community – particularly with survivors of GBV, FSV and child harm – and aims to strengthen the referral pathways and support for survivors and fosters capacity building and growth with service providers for collective action.
One participant expressed their determination moving forward, “GBV and FSV happens almost every day. The workshop was an eye-opener for me! I learnt the skills of a basic counsellor and I will take these skills back to my school and profession and put them into practice.”
There is an evident need for counselling training and investment in improving awareness of the challenges around GBV/FSV, as well as supporting survivors in Oro Province. Participants expressed that they are eager for any more training opportunities like this.
KTF’s Project Zero is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and is delivered in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Counsellors’ Association.
