Kevin Wilson volunteering in Papua New Guinea

Tunaniya Open Learning Centre, Papua New Guinea

Tunaniya Open Learning Centre is a new education project aimed at encouraging a culture of life-long learning in Bougainville. Sam and Josie Kauona/Sirivi have established this "grassroots" project in Sam's home district of Koromira after observing many people are left behind by "traditional" formal education.

The centre will fill a gap in the formal system by catering for people of all ages and education backgrounds, providing practical skills which assist village-based community development. Courses will focus on a variety of areas, including literacy, health, computing, finance, trades and project management.

Due to their involvement in groups such as Bougainville Women for Peace and Freedom and the Arawa women's training centre, Sam and Josie require a skilled administrator and educator to establish the centre's programs, train staff and ensure the viability of this important local initiative.

Kevin Wilson

Until recently, Kevin was working as an Assistant Facilities Manager in an international IT company in Sydney. He has previously worked in the area of Fixed Assets and Security managing.

In these roles, Kevin was responsible for maintenance and implementation works, coordinating and administering programs, staff management and monitoring security programs and systems in place.

A keen adventurer and hiker, Kevin has been twice on the Kokoda track. A member of Amnesty International and various other charities and societies, Kevin is also a chorister, a painter and lover of nature and the arts.

Possessing "highly qualified capabilities" and "a man of integrity who has fair, honest and friendly dealings with others" are just some of the wonderful things his past and present colleagues said about Kevin.

Sam, Josie and Palms Australia believe Kevin is well suited to the task.