MARTYRS GIFT 2025
Martyrs Gift 2025
Working for Change in Papua New Guinea
Just as the New Guinea Martyrs were a light shining in the darkness, the Anglican Church of PNG brings the light of education, opportunity and hope to its people.
The Martyrs Gift asks you to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Papua New Guinea, offering practical support to strengthen the work of the Anglican Church of PNG.
“Life and Hope and a Second Chance” – Adult Literacy in PNG
In a country where the adult literacy rate is only 63 per cent*, the Church’s Adult Literacy Program gives people a second chance at an education and a more hopeful future (*Devette-Chee & Magury, 2022, p. 1).
RESOURCES
Jennifer is so eager to make the most of her second chance at an education that she wakes every day at 3am to bake and sell cookies – the money she makes supports her three children and pays for her bus fare to and from the literacy school. She then attends literacy class from 8am – 12 noon, Monday to Thursday.
“I have learned so much in phonics, social inclusion, maths,” says Jennifer, “and I can now read the Bible. I know how to do division, multiplication and subtraction…the knowledge was inside me, even though I didn’t have the chance before. The school gives us life and hope and a second chance.”
Jennifer (front) and fellow students at Port Moresby Adult Literacy School give a group presentation. Nov 2024, PNG. © ABM AID/Kate Winney
With her newfound skills, Jennifer now has hope for a better future.
Sorovi, Popondetta: Michael Ambo (far left) with adult literacy teachers. Michael coordinates the church’s literacy program in PNG. © Kate Winney/ABM AID.
“A Responsibility to the Community I Serve”: Agents of Change
The Agents of Change course is equipping a new generation of leaders in Papua New Guinea. An initiative of the Anglican Alliance, the intensive course teaches people practical skills in community development.
Other graduates report that the Agents of Change course helped them get into formal education, employment or a work promotion.
Confident to Work Together as a Team.
In the parish of St Francis in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, the community dreamed of renovating their dilapidated church. But without the skills or knowledge to do so, the project languished.
Their church now has a fresh new look, and success begets success: the community now has plans to build a religious brothers’ household, and renovate the priest’s house too.
“The community at St. Francis now see the importance of working together as a team to achieve their plans, through sharing skills and knowledge learnt during the Agents of Change course,” says Annsli Kabekabe, the program coordinator.
The new facilitators will work alongside Diocesan Bishops to implement an Agents of Change course in each Diocese, and mentor 100 participants to start their own sustainable community development projects.
Funds raised through the Martyrs Gift 2025 will contribute towards these training costs, printing of materials and follow-up mentoring.
Remembering the Past, Serving the Present.
Drawing on the example of the New Guinea Martyrs, the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea continues to bring light to its communities.
Let us join with our brothers and sisters in Papua New Guinea through our Martyrs Gift 2025, reaching out a hand of friendship and support to the next generation of servant leaders.
PRAYER
we give you thanks, O Lord.
We give you thanks, Lord of heaven and earth,
for all the practical, grassroots work
that is achieved between ABM AID and the Church in Papua New Guinea.
For all that is good…
We give you thanks for the better quality of life
that the students in the adult literacy classes
can achieve for themselves with the help of their teachers.
May they cross the barriers that once stood in the way.
For all that is good…
We give you thanks for those who undertake the Agents of Change course,
take their certificate and turn it into concrete action
to better their communities.
May they enhance their society,
transcending and upgrading as they go step by step.
For all that is good…
And we give you thanks for all those who support the Martyrs Gift
and the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea
whether through their interest, their prayers, or their donations.
May your blessing be on them
now and forever.
For all that is good…
We make our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
surrounded by the saints, confessors and martyrs of every age,
in glory for all eternity.
Amen.
Download a JPEG of the Prayer
RESOURCES
We hope to raise
$56,000
Donation code: XG011
Tax-deductible
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We appreciate your gift to this Appeal.
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