Who we are
All HWC members are residents of Haku villages and are mainly women and youth with some counterpart men as trainers, peace builders and counsellors. HWC concentrates on advocacy and education for the family unit, sustainable village living, quality education and health services, vibrant churches and community participation across all denominations.
'We are all village women but many of us were displaced from careers by the war so we have collected our teaching, nursing, secretarial skills etc and use these as freewill offerings to our initiatives in facing our community needs. Our Hako language is one of 3 main languages in Buka spoken by about 30,000 people in the north of Buka Island, at the northernmost point of Bougainville. We are a distinct culture and territory within the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Dorcas Gano, former HWC President
Our story
-
2006
Following a decade of civil war, women of Haku went from village to village to consult their communities and identify the most urgent social and practical needs. They established Hako Women's Collective to address those needs and rebuild their community.
-
2012
HWC began the Rice Mill Ventre. Rice has become a staple food in PNG but was not traditionally grown locally. It has an important role in food sustainability: in this climate, up to 3 crops a year can be achieved.
-
2014
Delivery of a container load of donated books, material and furniture to establish the HWC library and office and the Meri Seif Haus
-
2017
HWC opened its purpose-built centre, Luman Hipakoko (A place to find help)
-
2019
HWC delivered a civic education program throughout Haku in preparation for the Independence referendum, supported by the National Democratic Institute. Washington USA. HWC's message was to keep the peace at all costs; vote wisely; and include everyone of voting age. During the referendum, HWC provided 20 volunteer accredited observers.
-
year
Event
Hako or Haku?
The Haku language is still largely oral, and has not been fully transcribed. Although the most common spelling is "Haku", the Hakö Women's Collective uses the spelling "Hakö", which reflects the pronunciation more accurately. This was the spelling prefered by the late Moses Havini, a strong supporter of HWC from its foundation and one of the first generation of Haku people to receive a Western tertiary education.
What we do
Add details if needed
- item
- item