LALOKI Secondary School in Central's Hiri-Koiari electorate were the recipients of over K30,000 worth of water supply equipment donated by Papua New Guinea India Association under the leadership of President Mr Raj Pattnai. The donation included: · 2 x 9,000-litre water tanks valued at K11,113.96. · 2 x high power pressure pump valued at K20,800; and · Labour and fittings cost K3,000 A total of K34, 913.96 was spent to deliver this project to the school. With the continues heavy rains, has caused fault in the school’s old water pump and other equipment, hence, the school reached out to the association for assistance which resulted in the presentation this week on Wednesday 16th April 2025. Also, due to limited TFF funding many schools throughout the country have difficulty upgrading facilities, and Laloki Secondary is one such school. Association treasurer and chief executive officer for Mama Bank Mr Gunanidhi Das stated that this was a momentous occasion, and the association was happy to give this little support to the school. He made special mention to teacher Mr Dennis Oa who was instrumental in getting the deal done, spending his time, effort and money going back and forth consulting with the Indian Association on how to acquire the items, including collecting all the quotations and finding out information and ensuring whatever money was allocated was put to best use. Das announced that the association raised funds to help the community in small ways that they could. He also announced that they had also assisted Iobuna Kouba Primary School (just across the road from Laloki) with a brand-new classroom as well. “This was our first time visiting Laloki Secondary School on the weekend and seeing boarding students carrying buckets down to the river to fetch water really touched our hearts.” “There are almost 500 of you boarding students and you have to do this every day.” “We got to know the problem and that is why we wanted to see how we could help you so you could fetch water within your dormitories,” he said. Mr. Das stated that such partnerships were very important and was the way forward for development. Association vice president Ms Veni Korkunda thanked the school for accepting the donation and hoped that this would help them greatly in the future. “We host fundraising events every year where all the Indians living in PNG and Port Moresby come together do something for a worthy cause.” He highlighted that they host shows and their children perform, and the funds raised are given back to the local communities here in Papua New Guinea. “It’s our way of saying thank you to Papua New Guinea for allowing us to live with you in your country,” Ganesh said. School principal Mrs Carol Tsinabi, who has been teaching at Laloki for the past 25 years and is serving her first year as principal, stated that in all her years of teaching at Laloki, this was the first time for such a donation to be made, and the school was extremely grateful. She urged the students and staff to look after the property, so it served the school for years to come.