OSF scholarship recipients lead peers in a clean-a-thon program at the Taurama Campus.
Oil Search Foundation (OSF) scholarship recipients studying at the University of PNG’s (UPNG’s) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) seized the opportunity to lead their peers in a clean-a-thon program at the Taurama Campus as part of an assignment on leadership.
The assignment was aimed at allowing the students to put into practice what they have learnt during a training on how to be effective leaders in their community.
The ten medical students identified rubbish disposal as an issue that they would like to address on campus.
The clean-a-thon program themed; ‘Clean Up Green Up’; included an awareness session, and presentation of wheelie bins to on-campus students for use in each hall of residence’ dormitory.
Not only relying on the donation by their sponsors Oil Search Foundation (OSF), the students contributed and purchased garbage bags, hand gloves and paper towels.
Through their request, OSF assisted with the purchase of wheelie bins and refreshments for the event.
The clean-a-thon included 41 UPNG SMHS students, mostly made up of members of the Tertiary Adventist Students’ Association collecting about 164 garbage bags of rubbish consisting of plastic, paper and clothing material.
OSF Scholarship recipient, Kaludia Wera addressed students about the importance of keeping the school surroundings clean.
"As future health professionals the onus is on us to initiate the practice of good habits and to teach others about proper waste disposal methods."
“I thank everyone for waking up early, especially all the students who volunteered to clean up their school, on a day they could have rested. I also commend the volunteers for taking the initiative to do something for their school and making a positive impact by raising awareness on the importance of keeping the school clean.” Ms Wera said.
“I would also like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors Oil Search Foundation for helping us achieve a further impact with the donation of wheelie bins and sponsoring refreshments for this event.”
Currently there are ten OSF scholarship recipients studying at UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences with two recipients studying at the Lutheran School of Nursing and two studying at the Pacific Adventist University.
Fourth year MBBS students who will be in their final year in 2019, doctors from remote areas who have applied through the school or are enrolled in the Masters in Rural Medicine program, and potential Masters in Public Health students are encouraged to apply for the 2019 OSF Scholarships which closes on 21 September, 2018. Information about how students can apply, are advertised at the UPNG SMHS campus.
OSF Scholarship recipient Joy Martin (left) and a UPNG SMHS student collecting rubbish that were pulled out of the rubbish bin by stray dogs and placing them back into the bin. Once the new wheelie bins are placed in dormitories, the dogs will not be able to easily access the bins inside the dormitory halls.
ENVIRONMENT MEETS LEADERSHIP: HEALTH STUDENTS DRIVE CLEAN-A-THON AT UPNG TAURAMA CAMPUS. As part of their leadership assignment, the 10 Oil Search Foundation Scholarship recipients led the clean-up drive, galvanizing their fellow students into filling up 164 bags of miscellaneous rubbish. They then handed wheelie bins to be put in the dorms, and stressed cleanliness and hygiene awareness as part of the training of future health practitioners.
About the Oil Search Foundation
The Oil Search Foundation is a development partner in Papua New Guinea delivering signature programmes and grant management solutions to support the national development agenda in the areas of health, leadership and education, and women’s protection and empowerment.
Established and principally supported by Oil Search, the Oil Search Foundation has a comparative advantage working in the Papua New Guinea Highlands and Gulf region.
As a development partner, the Oil Search Foundation concentrates on building partner capacity to deliver services, directing the country’s resources towards national priorities that are most beneficial to communities, and engaging with stakeholders at all levels to support Papua New Guinea achieve its own development goals.
