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Two-Mile Settlement is known as a notorious settlement in Port Moresby for all sorts of criminal activities from bag snatching, killing, vehicle stoning and holdups. Majority of the crime that occurs at the Koki Market can be attributed to the unemployed youths living in Two-Mile Settlement.
There are various contributing factors but the main root cause is unemployment. Most of the youths are unemployed thus inhibiting their survival in the city which is very much a cash economy. The pressure of living day in day out without enough money or no money at all to meet theirs and their families basic human needs such as food drives them to engage in these illegal activities. The other main reason is lack of engagement in any activity at all. Because there is nothing for them to do most of the time daily, they engage in these illegal activities. Similar stories can be heard from other settlements in towns and cities through out Papua New Guinea.
The Two Mile settlement boys have taken the initiative to form a Youth Group called the NADI KOURA YOUTH GROUP – TWO MILE to assist in curbing the crime in the Two Mile and Koki areas of Port Moresby by engaging the youths in meaningful activities such as campaigns against violence.
Vickson K Stanley, the team leader of the above group was interviewed regarding the above youth group and their aim and purpose.
Question: What is aim of this youth group?
Vickson: The aim of the youth group is to:
• cut down the crime level at Two Mile area
• provide basic lifetime training through the YUMI LUKAUTIM MOSBI Project sponsored by NCD and Port Moresby Chamber Commerce which is GINIGOADA to the settlement youths who missed out on formal education
• carry out HIV/AIDS and other awareness campaign in the Two Mile settlement.
• Engage in Sporting activities
• Raise funds to build a community hall for the Two Mile Hill community that will serve multiple purposes such as basic sewing, cooking training, music training, etc.
Question: When was it started?
Vickson: July 2009 after the killing of two innocent young boys which almost resulted in an eviction by NCDC police.
Question: How many youths are currently involved?
Vickson: 61 youths whose parents came from all over Papua New Guinea and and brought them up at Two Mile Settlement
Question: Is there any support provided by Government agencies?
Vickson: NCDC has promised to provide financial support to keep us going but since we started three months ago, we have not received any support. The only means of supporting our activities is through selling of cigarettes, betel nut and drinks at the Two Mile stop plus donations from ordinary citizens who want to assist. We are planning weekly appeal along the Hubert Murray Highway close to Two Mile to seek funds to support our activities.
Question: Do you have plans to engage in income-generating activities?
Vickson: Yes. We are looking for assistance from NGOs, interested persons in Papua New Guinea,business houses, the government and overseas donors to start small income generating activities such as poultry, vegetable farming, and fishing projects. I come from Koiari area of Central Province and have a piece of land in the village that I would like to use for this project. What we are doing right now to move in that direction is forming an association which formalizes our organization and help us approach NGOs and business houses for funding assistance.
Question: Do you have a current address?
Vickson: Yes, we do not have a permanent office but we can be contacted at the following address for any assistance in cash and kind:
Vickson Stanley
Youth Leader
NADI KOURA YOUTH GROUP
C:\John Titi, P.O Box 687, Gordons, NCD
Mobile: 71201964
E-mail:
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Shown below are pictures of the Two Mile Youth Group campaign against Gun and keeping the Two Mile Bus stop safe from hold ups as well as appeal to general public for assistance in sustaining their activities.
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