Restoring Dignity Through the Needle and Thread

From the 27th to the 31st of July 2026, the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNGSI (CBCPNGSI) headquarters in Port Moresby served as a place of transformation and hope. The National Family Life Commission organized a week-long sewing workshop designed to provide practical skills and a renewed sense of purpose to those often overlooked by society.

The National Family Life Commission is dedicated to strengthening families across the nation by promoting Christian family values, responsible parenthood, and healthy relationships. Their primary vision is to "Protect Life, Preserve Life and Promote Life," striving to ensure that every family becomes a "Domestic Church Alive in Christ". By conducting workshops and seminars, the Commission works to support family units as they navigate social challenges, ensuring they remain the foundation of a just and loving society.

This particular workshop was a collaborative effort aimed specifically at street ministry. Mr. Noel Langu, the Family Life Projects Officer, explained that the Commission partnered with the Marist Brothers because of their direct involvement with families in various ministries. The goal was to reach the most neglected members of the community, specifically those living on the streets, to improve their living standards and offer them "another chance".

Mr Langu emphasized that while only 15 participants attended this session, including 8 homeless individuals, the hope is that they will return to their peers to share what they have learned. "The church is trying to give another chance for our people," Langu stated, noting that these basic skills are the first step toward self-reliance and financial independence.

The workshop was facilitated by Sr. Maria Goretti Leison OLSH, a seasoned educator with 26 years of teaching experience and the former manager of the Limana Vocational Centre. For Sr. Maria, returning to a teaching role to help the less fortunate was a "blessing".

Teaching sewing to participants who had never held a needle before was a challenge that required immense patience and tolerance. However, she observed that through their hard work, the participants began to see a way to make their lives easier in the future. Sr. Maria believes that providing these opportunities is essential for restoring the dignity of those living on the streets, meeting them where they are and offering them a tangible path forward.

The workshop concluded on a high note on Friday, July 31st, 2026, when the Marist Brothers joined the participants at the CBC headquarters to celebrate their success. The Brothers brought a celebratory cake to mark the end of the intensive week and took part in a special presentation where each participant received their own sewing machine to take home, providing them with the literal tools for their new trade. Brother Mati, representing the Marist Brothers, shared in an interview that while their congregation is traditionally rooted in education, they have expanded into a "street ministry" to create a "pathway for the homeless". He explained that their goal is to provide more than just temporary aid, stating, "one of the impacts that we want to experience with them is maybe one day we would like to see that there are no more people living on the street". By creating employment opportunities through these skills, Brother Mati believes "it brings hope... and it creates home for this homeless," allowing them to eventually "go and rent and live their life as normal as other people". The Brothers also committed to the long-term success of the participants, noting they will "continue to monitor them after this training" to ensure they do not return to life on the street.

The work carried out during this week-long training reflects the heart of the Gospel and the Church's call to care for the vulnerable. Just as the participants learned to stitch fabric together, the workshop sought to mend the brokenness often found in street life.

This mission is a living example of the words in Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." By equipping these individuals with the means to sustain themselves, the Commission and its partners are not only providing "fish" but teaching them "how to fish," echoing the biblical principle of using one's hands for good and honest work so that they may have something to share with those in need (Ephesians 4:28).