“Just like the Hiri Trade trip in your Grandfathers’ days was the heartbeat of our Motu Koitabuan Society’s survival,
the Motuan pots by the women were the medium of exchange for Sago.
A Lakatoi will never leave its shores, until all the clay pots are on the Lakatoi.
It is believed also that the successful journey of the Hiri trade is also determined by her beauty and purity of a chosen young lady that is hidden away from public keeping the count of each day that passes by tying a not whilst being pampered with food, coconut oil on the skin,
her garments and her hair also is oiled and combed.
Without her (women & girls/our grandmothers/great grandmothers) and without him (the men & boys/your grandfathers/great grandfathers) understanding and respecting each other’s powerful role in a society’s survival, we will not be here.
Your grandfathers and great grandfathers were caring, decisive and bold courageous business men that took risks for such a sea voyage to trade clay pots for sago so their families can self-sufficiently survive and thrive.
We are now again here, the potters are preparing the claypots (40 potters skilled and ready adding to another 80 in the plant site villages) to receive their certificates but also present to witness the launching of an important necessary stepping stone of the big risky business of a Garment Factory to be owned by the Women of the Plant Site villages.
The Boera Tailoring Hub is a very Necessary Stepping Stone for the Garment Factory to be realised since the 2017 dream by the first participants of the first Tailoring training sponsored by ExxonMobilPNG
Where are our Caring, Visionary, Bold and Courageous Leaders who can invest into realizing this Dream?
You already have 120 plus skilled workforce right within the plant site villages.
What they earn will provide income to 120 plus families, enhance livelihood of clans and the society as a whole. “
–Cathy Alex, APNGWLN Executive Director
Closing Remarks during Boera Tailoring Hub Launching and Graduation
