IN HONOUR OF THE RECENT LAUNCH OF PRIDE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA AWARDS FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT (PRIDE OF PNG AWARDS), WE ARE CELEBRATING PAST WINNERS AND THE IMPACTS OF THEIR WORK IN THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
CPL Group through its philanthropic arm, CPL Foundation relaunched the Pride of PNG Awards recently in March 2022. The Pride of PNG Awards for Women’ Empowerment is dedicated to recognizing the efforts of unsung heroes of women who are not well known yet their work, dedication and commitment to drive change touches the multitude they encounter.
( L to R) Mrs Pigolo accepting the building materials from City Pharmacy Buka representative.
Through the years CPL Group has supported POPNG past winners right with their passion and community projects.
One of the POPNG Alumni who was assisted through this project is Mrs Magdalene Pigolo of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). Magdalene received the award for Education Role Model Medal in 2018. She is a Secondary Science and Mathematics teacher. She’s been teaching for 38 years before retiring.
“We recognized her time, knowledge and passion when she was teaching at the St Mary’s High School in Central Bougainville as the Head Teacher during the Bougainville crisis in 1996.
Being a teacher during the Bougainville Crisis period was a challenging choice to make, especially for a young passionate female who had to make a difficult decision to leave her family to go out and educate others,” said Sir Mahesh Patel, OBE- Chairman of the CPL Foundation.
The CPL Group was the first business to re-enter the AROB after the crisis in 1998.
In July 2021, the CPL Foundation donated K30,000 worth of building materials from its business arm’s hardware outlet brand, Hardware Haus. The materials were to build the Lontis Primary School library.
“When I was asked to Head the St Mary’s High School during the crisis period, I took the challenge despite the challenges at that time, this is my passion and profession, I would do anything to educate the younger generation
I am grateful to the CPL Group and Sir Mahesh for recognizing my work in what was a very hard time. Teachers deserve to be recognised for their hardwork as wherever you go in PNG and the AROB, you will most likely find a school and a church, “said Mrs Pigolo.
Mrs Pigolo is currently a volunteer sitting on school boards, and facilitating passion projects.
