Aspiration and Background

In his 41 years of service to the Catholic Church, Simon loved spending most of his time in the old church building (now demolished), making sure things were in order. This is apart from him leading the worship and prayer sessions there. Simon is one of the very few elderly in the community to not only see the initial stages of the project but helped quite a lot in many areas including fundraising drives. His aspiration was to have this project completed quickly so the people have a common place to worship God.


The project is situated in Bitakapuk Village within the Toma/Vunadidir LLG of East New New Britain Province. This project is now under construction after demolishing our old church building at the end of last year but it is in need of additional funding. It is estimated that approximately an additional K100,000.00 will be required to complete the project.

The current situation with the cocoa pod borer disease and decline in copra prices in the province has made it extremely hard for the people to raise money faster. As a result, the village people have been doing all they can with other fundraising activities to contribute resources and money form their pockets to assist and keep the project going.

A word of appreciation to those who have contributed in cash or kind towards the project so far. Thanks to Connie Tarai and the group in Perth, Western Australia; not forgetting the group in Port Moresby for your contributions.



Sunday, September 14, 2014

Invitation to TOLAIS in East Sepik Province

This is an invitation to all East New Britain citizens or  families in East Sepik Province to attend a very special meeting to elect office bearers into a proposed Incorporated Association with the aim of raising funds to help support new church building projects back home in East New Britain. 



                      Date:    Saturday, 20th September 2014

                Time:    1:00 pm

                Venue:   Palaram's residence 
                               Moem Army Barracks

            * Membership fee will be decided upon during the meeting.


              Contact person:  1) Henry Baining - 72821514
                                           2) Br. Herman Wagira - 72537766

                             Email: sibafoundation@yahoo.com 


We can contribute by forming this foundation to help raise funds to support the St. Leo Church building project and other similar projects in the future.

May God richly bless you and your families!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

St Leo Church Building Project Update

I copied this post by Connie Tarai from the BNO3 FORUM group page on Facebook.

Hope you are all well wherever you are.

The building construction was temporarily suspended in May by the Building Board due to the lack of proper building plan documentation. The good news is that payment was made to the architects yesterday for the release of the revised plans and will be submitted to the Building Board soon. Construction, therefore, will resume once the final drawings are approved by the Provincial Building Board. 

Here is what my family have been up to regarding fundraising for the project. Back in April I organised a small walkathon (with some family friends) for our church building here in Perth. The total raised was $2000. An extra K900.00 was deposited into the project account by some family and friends in PNG and Queensland. The grand total is around K5000.00 based on yesterday's exchange rate. Find attached the deposit of $2000 made into the project account yesterday. An additional $500 (or K1000) was also been deposited into our little group (Livuan) at home to assist them in fundraising activities towards the church building.

I am passionate about this project as it will bring our village together once again. I urge all of you all to be part of our community at home by contributing in whatever way you can to assist. You can also organise small fundraising activities where you are. Alternately, you can make a personal donation, big or small, it does not matter. Trust me, it will be a long road ahead in this project. Remember, the old church was given to us for free as it was built by our fathers, mothers, aunties, brothers, sisters, tambus, and bubus so now is our turn to rise up to the challenge and replace it. Be always proud of where you come from and contribute meaningfully. I hope by posting this, it will encourage all of us to help. If you are doing something where you live towards the project please post it here and share it with everyone in the group.

Boina tuna ma a Luluai na vadoane avat parika.

Connie Tarai via BNO3 Forum on Facebook
(02 September 2014)

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Volcano may affect project

The current situation with Mt. Tavurvur volcanic eruptions at home in Rabaul may be another contributing factor to the holdup in the church building project.
Mt. Tavurvur throwing out thick smoke and lava.
Pics courtesy of Gideon Kakabin on Facebook


The whole idea of the project here is for the SIBA Foundation to secure additional funding for the church building, and if possible hire a prominent building company to take up the project. This will greatly assist  people to take care of themselves, their children, and their assets during the construction stage.  The foundation shall assist in taking care of the church building project in it's entirety if possible.


Our village people need your help. 
You can contribute!

Join SIBA Foundation now; become a member!
With God's help we shall make this become a reality!!