A great moment for the Enga students at Divine Word University

By Joe WASIA
President Enga Students Association

The night of the Saturday 23 July 2011, was an exciting moment for Enga students at Divine Word University and its affiliated Lutheran School of Nursing when the Enga Students Association hosted it first Fundraising Coffee Night on the main campus.

Invitations were given to all Engan leaders, business houses and many working class people in Madang. The letters were also given to provincial clubs including the proposed Jiwaka and Hela provinces.

It was exciting to see that all the invited guests turn up except two who conveyed their apologies.

They included prominent businessmen and long time residents of Madang Max Kitao, Joe Tari Tipaija and Peter Andoi. They all pledged K500 each to the ESA.

Also present were Argmark Hardware branch manager Peter Lyakai and DWU lecturer Dr Fr Robert Laka who pledged K400 and K500 respectively. Another businessman Jackson Sisiak pledged K200.

ESA patron and medical doctor from Modilon General Hospital, Dr Jimmy Aipit, pledged K500 plus a huge pig while another Engan medico, Dr Kone, pledged K300. Dr Steven Toraso was also present on the night.

One of the strongmen and diehard supporters of ESA in Madang and potential candidate for Kompiam Ambum electorate in Enga, Namba Tumu, pledged another K500 in addition to last year’s K500 contribution to the club. He also promised to supply vegetables to ESA for its end-of-year function in October.

Also with us was the First Secretary of Defence, Bill Buka Toraso (an Engan). He pledged K200 to the club. Former DWU students Peter Manu, Nathan Lati and Waimin Kaitas Michael were also present. The presence these people made us proud.

On behalf of the Enga Students Association executives, students and friends here at DWU and LSON, I would like to thank all the guests, fellow students, Director of Student Services Steven Namosa and Dean of Men Andrew Pohon for their commitment, words of encouragement and donations to the club.

Their response shows they have a heart for the young people. As one of our speakers mentioned that, unlike white people, we are an emerging generation who are learning what the white people have been living and experiencing.

Our fathers and forefathers have lived a completely different Stone Age lifestyle and now we are starting to shift away from that lifestyle.

It is good that young people of this generation are moulded, shaped and directed by such inspirational words so that we may live a better life now and in the future.

If you teach one person you are teaching a thousand. We thank them so much with our hearts full of gratitude.

As the Bible says, every raindrop that falls from heavens comes for a purpose.  We believe, the words of encouragements shared with us that night will make a great difference in our personal lives.

We did not expect such huge donations from them. Our motive behind organising the event was to allow the leaders to share encouragement, thoughts and experiences with us.

It was a social night organised by the ESA where we all come together, tell stories, socialise and get to know each other.

However, they made us so proud that they were all willing to give something extra to the Enga Students Association. That is sign of a real heart for young people. Thanks for the support.

With the donations, we will be working towards three proposed activities: producing an Enga Students Year Book; participating in the DWU Cultural Show on 27 August; and end-of-year functions in October.

We thank these good people once again for the kind and loving heart they have for young people. We believe God Almighty will continue to bless them so that they can bless others the same way.