Kyeema Foundation: Empowering Papua New Guinea through Sustainable Practices
Celia Grenning and Ali Ume spoke highlighting The Kyeema Foundation's work in Papua New Guinea focuses on addressing food security, income generation, and environmental restoration by leveraging local resources and sustainable methods. Through programs like village chicken farming, coral gardening, and mangrove replanting, Kyeema aims to tackle the pressing challenges faced by rural communities, many of whom have been impacted by climate change, environmental degradation, and social issues. Their initiatives, which began in collaboration with Rotary in 2018, are designed to enrich the livelihoods of these communities by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary for long-term self-sufficiency.
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Kyeema's involvement in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is driven by the stark reality that around 80% of the population lives a subsistence lifestyle. Due to factors such as climate change, deforestation, overfishing, seismic activity, and growing social issues, traditional food sources have diminished, leading to widespread malnutrition and poverty. For instance, childhood stunting rates in PNG stand at 49.5%, one of the highest in the world. To combat these challenges, Kyeema has developed a comprehensive programme centred on village chicken farming, coral gardening, and mangrove replanting, each of which plays a critical role in improving both food security and income generation.
The village chicken farming initiative has proven particularly impactful. It provides rural communities with a sustainable and affordable protein source while also supplementing incomes and reducing pressure on overfished coastal regions. In addition, empowering women by involving them in chicken rearing has brought about significant social benefits. Over the years, Kyeema has established village chicken farms across PNG, such as the “Master Farmer” farm in Gabagaba village, where farmers are given starter kits with chickens and resources to build their own chicken sheds. The foundation has also worked closely with communities like Haus Pikinini, a children’s home in Wau, to ensure that even vulnerable populations benefit from these initiatives.
Alongside chicken farming, Kyeema's coral gardening and mangrove replanting programmes aim to restore rapidly declining fish habitats and protect coastal shores from erosion. By establishing coral nurseries, such as the one in Metevoi village, the foundation is not only working to rehabilitate the ocean environment but also supporting sustainable fishing practices for the future. The introduction of “heat tolerant” coral, for instance, is one of the innovative solutions designed to combat the effects of rising ocean temperatures on marine ecosystems. Additionally, mangrove replanting helps prevent coastal erosion, creating a more resilient environment for future generations.
The foundation’s work has seen continued success, with various training and expansion efforts taking place in 2023 and 2024. In March 2024, Kyeema set up new village chicken farms and coral nurseries in communities like Kaselok, Metevoi, and Lovongai, training over 80 community members in sustainable farming techniques. Plans for 2025 include expanding these programmes by building more “Master Farms” and establishing additional coral nurseries across New Ireland and the Duke of York Islands.
Kyeema's approach emphasises local leadership and sustainability, working closely with organisations like Ailan Awareness, a conservation NGO in Kavieng, to ensure that these projects are led by and for the communities themselves. Moving forward, the foundation aims to train more farmers, set up additional farms and nurseries, and continue to monitor and support the initiatives already in place to secure lasting impacts for the people of Papua New Guinea. Through its partnership with Rotary, Kyeema is fostering local innovation and creating pathways for enriched, sustainable lives across the region.