Prior to Independence in 1975 the Guild of St Mary, an organisation for girls and young women was linked to GFS Australia but lack of leadership and the introduction of MU meant the gradual demise of this organisation. In 1996 Mrs Lucille Haembo of Popondota Diocese, with the assistance of GFS Australia promoted the regrowth of GFS as an organisation for young women and it has been growly steadily since. There are 12 branches in Popondota Diocese with approximately 600 members.
GFS Australia continues to support GFS in Papua New Guinea with annual visits for training. A World Project in 1999 built a small Training Centre in Popondetta and provided funds for three years of training. |
Other dioceses are now showing interest and another World Project in 2008 has funded GFS Australia to write a three year Sunday School program based on the PNG lectionary for PNG and to train teachers. Sunday School teaching is one of the aims of GFS in Popondota diocese and over 500 teachers have been trained. The program is now being introduced to other dioceses.
GFS in PNG concentrates on working with young women, to improve their education level, to provide skills for use in community and church, to prepare them for marriage, to encourage them to move to MU membership when they are eligible and to assist with HIV/AIDS awareness programs. Ministry with children is also growing within GFS in PNG.
Contact: Mrs Mary Bagu, marysbagu@gmail.com or Val Gribble,valgribble1@bigpond.com
GFS in PNG concentrates on working with young women, to improve their education level, to provide skills for use in community and church, to prepare them for marriage, to encourage them to move to MU membership when they are eligible and to assist with HIV/AIDS awareness programs. Ministry with children is also growing within GFS in PNG.
Contact: Mrs Mary Bagu, marysbagu@gmail.com or Val Gribble,valgribble1@bigpond.com