Stitching the Next Chapter Thread by Thread; From Sewing Machines to Sanctuaries

The journey of empowerment continues for Port Moresby's street community. Following the success of their initial training, the National Family Life Commission of the CBC, the Marist Brothers, and Sister Maria Goretti Leison OLSH conducted a second sewing workshop for the same group of trainees. This second round of training took place at the CBCPNGSI headquarters in Port Moresby from the 17th to the 21st of August 2026, focusing on deepening the participants' practical sewing skills and reinforcing a network of support designed to lift them out of hardship.

The final day of the workshop was filled with heartfelt gratitude and powerful words of encouragement. Sister Maria Goretti Leison, who has dedicated nearly 37 years to teaching vocational training skills, expressed her deep thanks to the CBCPNGSI, the Commission for Family Life and the Marist Brothers for inviting her to facilitate. For her, the rapid organization of this program was a clear sign of God working in unexpected ways to bring people together.

Sister Maria shared that after decades of traditional classroom teaching, she felt a profound calling to step "outside of the circle" to directly help the marginalized who need these hands-on skills the most. While acknowledging that sewing is a complex craft that cannot be fully achieved in a brief one-to-two-week period, she praised the participants' enthusiasm and their desire to learn quickly. She championed a practical "hands-on skill" model: encouraging the participants to start by mastering a single item such as a shirt, which they can immediately sell to earn income before returning to learn more advanced patterns.

While the workshops provide immediate economic tools, the Marist Brothers are preparing a massive, holistic expansion of their outreach. Brother Mark of the Marist Brothers shared that their newly established "Montagne Street Ministry," which began about four or five months ago, is already making great strides. In addition to the sewing workshops, the ministry has successfully placed young boys at Don Bosco and secured employment for others at construction sites with local companies.

To sustain and expand this impact, the ministry has secured an office space to lease for the next two years. This space will function as a vital daytime drop-in sanctuary where people living on the streets can access clean water to take showers, use the toilets, do their laundry, and find a safe space to rest during the day. While the facility will remain non-residential, it will address the immediate, day-to-day survival needs of those without a home.

Furthermore, the leased property will house specialized, much-needed services:

• Professional counseling tailored for young people and street-dwellers.

• A health clinic providing health checks, blood tests, and medical treatment for common ailments like malaria and ulcers. These medical services are critical for individuals who are otherwise entirely unable to afford healthcare.

The Montagne Ministry's ultimate goal stretches far beyond temporary relief. Within the two-year lease period, the Marist Brothers plan to find a permanent location to establish a lasting presence in the community. This permanent space will enable them to expand their reach across all demographics of the street population, ranging from young children and teenagers to young adults and older individuals, ensuring that every person, regardless of age, has access to a pathway of restoration and dignity. This continuing journey beautifully embodies the biblical call in Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.", weaving a future of restored dignity and hope for Port Moresby's street community.