For as long as I could remember, I knew that I was a Samoan. My parents were both of Samoan background, I understood Samoan well, I communicated with my grandmother in the Samoan language, I attended a Samoan church, I ate Samoan foods and I danced the traditional Samoan dance. I was confident in doing all these things before the age of 5.

PAYA has grown so much over the past two years and we are very grateful to our entire family who has supported us along the way! Recently, our Co-Directors, Janice and Dominic were able to finalise an agreement with Ferguson Consultants Group as our first-ever corporate partner!

Nestled in Polynesia and numbering over 170 islands, many uninhabited, the Kingdom of Tonga has a long history with Australia. With a population of around 107,000 people, Tonga’s unique constitutional monarchy is over 1000 years old.

Aviamp–Pikus Elementary School in Anglimp South Waghi, Jiwaka Province, was established in January 2022. The idea to start this school was initiated by a small PIKUS Community back in 2019 with their leader Mr Peter Gene and the Mengemp community chairman Mr Peter Maltu. Mr Gene had decided to give his customary land to the local community to build a primary school by 2022.

Abel Rudolf is a third year student majoring in PNG Studies and International Relations at Divine Word University, Papua New Guinea (PNG). His story is one of true resilience. From being a poor performing student to excelling in school, from living in impoverished conditions to making it in life through determination and self belief. Abel’s story is moving.

Phillie Julai is the Student Representative Council President at Divine Word University in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Phillie shares some of the challenges she has faced serving in her role.

Hello! My name is Shannon Sogavare and I'm from Solomon Islands (Choiseul & Malaita Province) I'm 16 years old and currently studying in Betikama Adventist College doing my grade 11.

In July 2019, I embarked on a life changing adventure. It sounds cliché, hyperbolic, but I mean it. Sitting at the Adelaide Airport, waiting for my flight to Port Moresby (POM) via Brisbane, I started to panic. What was I doing? I knew almost nothing about the country I was about to spend 6 months in. I had only recently learned that Papua New Guinea was Australian territory until 1975. What was the food like, the weather, the people?

I was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia. We lived in a suburb called Springwood. A very friendly neighbourhood, close to the schools I attended. I was very fortunate growing up, I had hard-working parents that provided a very comfortable lifestyle for us. We were lucky to be able to travel quite often and visit our Island home Rarotonga once a year.

Welcome, Welkam, Halo Oloketa, Noa'ia, Mauri, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Tālofa, Kia orana, Mālō e lelei, Mālō nī, Talofa lava, Tēnā koutou katoa, Bienvenue, Maeva.