Puma Energy Sponsors Young People to Volunteer on MV YWAM PNG

Young people from Kouderika, Roku, Tatana and Baruni have been sponsored by Puma Energy to volunteer aboard the YWAM Training and Medical Ship, MV YWAM PNG, for their next outreach to Central Province.
The four youth were selected as part of Puma Energy’s and YWAM Medical Ships’ recently formed youth development program, which is aimed at championing young people to discover their potential while engaging in service.
Puma Energy has been a major supporter of YWAM Medical Ships since 2015 through the provision of MV YWAM PNG’s fuel and lubricants requirements for their healthcare and training activities in the Southern region and Huon Gulf. This sponsorship is valued at more than PGK3Million, as part of a two-year agreement, signed last year.
YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director, Mr Ken Mulligan, said he was so pleased to be expanding their partnership with Puma Energy through the youth development program.
“At the very heart of YWAM is to see youth empowered and engaged to live a life of purpose. We have young people join us from all over the world for training and community service projects. It is wonderful to see another expression of this through the youth development scholarship program.
“I’m very thankful for Puma Energy’s continued strong support – it is wonderful to be drawing upon one another’s strengths to support and build capacity in Papua New Guinean young people,” said Mr Mulligan.
During their time aboard the MV YWAM PNG, the youth will participate in YWAM Medical Ships healthcare, community engagement and training activities alongside almost 100 volunteers from 8 different nations. The outreach will start in their own communities (Kouderika, Roku, Tatana and Baruni) before moving to villages across Amazon Bay in the Central Province.
Puma Energy’s Country Manager, Mr Jim Collings, said that the youth development program selection process was decided by the communities in liaison with Puma’s Community Affairs officers.
“We worked with each of these communities to identify youth who demonstrated a commitment to the wellbeing of their village and whom were willing to positively contribute in an ongoing way to their community’s development “
“Puma Energy has a special relationship with these four villages through their proximity to the Napa Napa Refinery. Puma Energy and these communities have a real desire, to see their youth have access to positive opportunities”
“In addition to these young people developing skills, our hope is that this experience aboard the YWAM ship will help impart a spirit of service and teamwork while also broadening their perspective on their own potential,” said Mr Collings.