Baha'i Mothers Take Hold of Their Destiny

November 12, 2006

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=490

On this remote island some 30 kilometers off Papua New Guinea's northern coast, a group of villagers have begun taking their destiny into their own hands.

Inspired by the teachings of the Baha'i Faith on women's equality and community participation, a circle of mothers in Mom Village on Karkar Island have successfully initiated the construction of their own village medical aid post.

"The Baha'is of Mom Village decided to arise and do something for their community because the government infrastructures like medical aid posts, schools and roads have deteriorated or have been completely closed due to lack of funds for maintenance," said Abegul Bodick, a frequent visitor to the island.

The project was initiated in 2002, said Mr. Bodick, when the villagers launched a fund-raising campaign, which resulted in the dedication of a new aid post in July 2006.