In the village of Kugark in South-Waghi district of Jiwaka province, a beacon of hope shines for those battling drug addiction, orphaned children, and widows. Bridging Gap Association, a unique rehabilitation centre and community initiative which officially opened in November last year, has been built from the unwavering faith and tireless efforts of a local couple, Peter and Freda Kaman, to help those battling drug addictions. The establishment of this rehab centre also comes from the support and dedication of a New Zealander, (who himself was a former drug addict), and his family. Sam Liddle, who was born and raised in New Zealand, struggled with a drug addiction until the age of twenty, where he was sent to rehab in Australia. It was from there he met his wife, where they both serve as missionaries now in Jiwaka along with their four children. Mr. Liddle now follows in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps who were also missionaries in Papua New Guinea. He said that both Peter and Freda, after years of mission work with the Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC), returned to their village in 2012 and were heartbroken by the widespread drug abuse. Their realization deepened when a group of young men, desperate to escape drug use, voluntarily handed over their drug items to the police, seeking help that never came. Neither the police nor the government, or even the churches, were willing or able to assist these ‘rascals’ who wanted a change. He said that Peter and Frida felt compelled to act despite the limited resources. With that, they began with a day program, and their dedication eventually caught the attention of Team Challenge, a global organization. Recognizing the existing groundwork, Team Challenge partnered with Peter and Frida, offering support and facilitating donations, including funds for a Lucas mill to generate income through timber milling. “The journey has been one of faith and perseverance.” “Despite humble beginnings, the initiative grew organically, a testament to their belief that God would just provide exactly what they needed, when they needed it.” To this day, the Bridging Gap Association Rehabilitation centre claims a full-time living facility with eight bedrooms upstairs, two classrooms' downstairs, a large kitchen house, and a staff house. The centre itself was built with funding from America through EBC missions, with Mr. Liddle assisting in the construction of the kitchen and staff houses, as well as a large round meeting house. “We also built a literacy classroom, an elementary school for children whose parents, battling addiction, cannot afford to send them to traditional schools.” Mr. Liddle now lives within the village, serving as a volunteer and actively contributing to the rehab centre’s development and programs. This unique facility stands as the first recognized full-living drug rehabilitation centre in Papua New Guinea, addressing a critical need for structured support for addicts. Meanwhile, while the program has seen remarkable successes, it faces significant challenges, particularly in securing consistent funding. Despite these setbacks, the Team Challenge organization relies on spontaneous donations from their email list and is actively developing sustainable projects. “We initiated a chicken project with 100 broilers, aiming to cover food costs for the residents, and are planning to raise pigs to fund staff salaries as well as a total of 63 beehives, producing honey that contributes to the centre’s financial needs supporting Peter and Freda.” In addition, the rehab centre’s overall approach extends beyond rehabilitation. Recognizing the dire need for positive outlets, a rugby team was also established called 'The Pioneers' in the community. This initiative, which saw the boys raise their own funds for participation and even receive donated jerseys from New Zealand, promotes discipline and provides an alternative to drug use. Mr. Liddle shared that if the boys want to play, must abide by the rules and that is, no drugs or alcohol during the week and on game days. This has been instrumental in fostering positive change among the youths. Moreover, he passionately spoke on the societal issues that contribute to drug addiction, particularly fatherlessness and the breakdown of family structures. He believes that restoring hope involves guiding these young men to understand their identity as sons of God, then equipping them to be good husbands and fathers. “The Bridging Gap Association is not just a rehabilitation centre; it is a testament to the power of faith, community, and the belief that even in the darkest corners, hope can be restored.” “We can ignite a profound transformation in the community, offering a new beginning for those who have lost their way.”