“My training at the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) has helped me reach out to young people in my community in a bigger way,” says Certificate IV in Youth Work graduate, Ms Anntheresa Baupua. 

Ms Baupua, who graduated from APTC in 2013, learned to develop and coordinate activities for young people through a range of community‐based programs during her six-month training at APTC’s Vanuatu Campus.

“My training, together with the experience of studying in another country, increased my passion for working with young people and helping them discover their own potential in contributing to society.”

“It was an incredible educational and memorable journey at APTC. I am very proud to be an APTC graduate.” 

Ms Baupua began working with youth in 2008, as a youth member for St. John the Apostles Parish in Tokarara, Port Moresby. 

“I started to get very involved in youth-related activities both at school and in church. Two years later, I joined the La Salle Technical College – Hohola, as a Youth Work Volunteer. I now provide assistance to around 5000 young individuals,” she says. 

She facilitates youth-centred activities, including leadership seminars, retreats and outreach camps – where youth visit settlements, hospitals and homes for the elderly and those with special needs. 

She also helps in supervising and mentoring students, coordinating physical and religious education activities as well as organising school events. 

“My work with the Ministry covers the key developmental areas of reaching out to young people especially those who are marginalised in any way and connecting them with other young people to help them grow in their faith and challenge them to discover their potential,” Ms Baupua says. 

“There is so much potential and dreams in youth ministry programs which will enable young people to be effective and reliable contributors for better societies in PNG. I would like to be a contributor towards this growing dream,” she adds.

“Thank you, APTC for the knowledge and skills you have given me. I still uphold the qualities and emulate everything I learned at the College in my everyday work, and as an alumnus,” she says.