Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) is an Australian aid organisation providing sustainable solutions in education, health, livelihoods and leadership in Papua New Guinea. They are also a registered charity, a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), hold base accreditation with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and are endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). The organization is a group of passionate and innovative problem solvers making a difference in Papua New Guinea.
Their aim is to advance education, health, livelihoods and leadership outcomes for every person in the country. By providing sustainable solutions that work – things like teacher training, health infrastructure, supplies and resources, micro businesses and leadership opportunities – they achieve long term impact.
KTF’s Work
KTF is passionate about Papua New Guinea and its people. They run sustainable, community-owned programs in Central and Oro Provinces (the Kokoda Track catchment area), as well as a nation wide leadership program.
Communities in rural areas often have little to no access to basic services. Education, healthcare, energy and safe drinking water is the priority. KTF provides communities with access to quality education and health services as well as livelihood opportunities, and they aim to build the next generation of Papua New Guinean leaders via leadership program.
Education – their education program aims to improve student outcomes and deliver increased access to educational services to rural and remote communities across PNG. KTF knows better future starts with education.
Health – their health program works with communities to increase access to primary healthcare across remote and rural communities. Their aims are ambitious, and will only be achieved through long-term investment in the training, posting, resourcing and support of community health workers – the cornerstone of the PNG healthcare system.
Leadership - their leadership program identifies promising PNG leaders and improves their leadership knowledge, development and capacity. The program develops attitudes, concepts, connections, and the confidence needed to stand tall and lead change in Papua New Guinea.
Livelihoods - The livelihood opportunities are aligned to community need, for example, off-grid solar, and build upon community strengths, such as agriculture. To increase sustainability the program is enterprise-based, women led and flexible enough to allow for changes in demand. By investing the money raised into developing sustainable businesses, KTF knows creating lasting change for families and communities.
VISION
The vision is to be a trusted, caring and innovative organisation. They contribute to a flourishing PNG, whose people enjoy liberty through unfettered access to healthcare, education and human rights and thrive as a respected nation in the Asia Pacific region.
MISSION
The mission is to work to improve the wellbeing and futures of the Papua New Guinean people. They assist with education and healthcare, by respecting customs and the environment. They improve livelihoods and fostering the next generation of leaders. They keep the story of Kokoda alive. They do this without discrimination and irrespective of religion, race or political affiliation.
VALUESFive values guide KTF:
- Integrity: The resources at our disposal are not our own. They ensure that they act with the utmost integrity in all scenarios: In our aid and development work in PNG and in our fundraising, marketing and administration in Australia.
- Perseverance: The understand and respect the challenging environment of working in aid and development in Papua New Guinea. KTF is committed to improving the lives and futures of our nearest neighbours. They do this with and with patience, perseverance and creativity, and do everything in our power to deliver on that commitment.
- Compassion: KTF works alongside communities, seek a thorough understanding of their needs, and respond with programs and projects in partnership with people. They do this with empathy and compassion.
- Ingenuity: Whether it is our aid and development work in PNG, or our marketing and fundraising activities in Australia, they always strive to be as resourceful and transparent as possible. They overcome hurdles and work towards solutions with optimism and ingenuity.
- Mateship: The people of Papua New Guinea are our nearest neighbours and our friends. Our supporters entrust us to honour this friendship in the same spirit of mateship that was at work during the Kokoda Campaign.
KTF’S STRATEGIC GOALS 2015 – 2020
- Grow a sustainable and thriving development organisation with strong influence in PNG and Australia
- Scale the organisation’s best practice projects across PNG
- Substantially contribute to the raising of educational, health and livelihood outcomes of the PNG people
- Find and foster the next generation of PNG leaders
- Keep the spirit of Kokoda alive
