A Heartfelt Moment This Christmas Season

In August, my son and I had the privilege of visiting Kulki Plantation, nestled on the Western Highlands side of the majestic Wahgi Valley. Together with officers of the PNG Agriculture Commercialisation and Diversification (PACD) Project, we met the remarkable Ken Petakin (pictured), owner of this historic plantation.

Our mission? To share his incredible story of perseverance and hope through a widely-acclaimed newspaper supplement published in The National last month.

But today, something truly special happened. Mr. Petakin called me, out of the blue, to express his heartfelt thanks. He wished my family a Merry Christmas and spoke of the impact of our work. His kind words touched me deeply—it’s moments like these that remind me why I love being a journalist.

Originally from Wabag, Enga, Mr. Petakin took over Kulki Plantation in 1980 from the late Clem Leahy. After years of challenges, his determination is finally paying off. Thanks to a K1 million boost from the PACD Project, Kulki Plantation is making a comeback! 🌱

This support will not only breathe new life into the plantation but also empower 400 coffee-growing households in the surrounding area to scale up their production. ☕️🌍

As the year comes to a close, I’m reminded of the resilience and hope that lives in the heart of Papua New Guinea’s people. Merry Christmas to you all, and may stories like these inspire us to keep pushing forward.