Signalling a major step forward in bridging the information and learning gap in rural and remote areas in Papua New Guinea (PNG), WLI alumna Dorothy Jolly and Joanne Siarivita-Noiney have successfully rolled out a digital library system in Goroka and New Ireland Provinces.
Dorothy and Joanne shared how the digital library – an initiative the pair launched with support from WLI’s Leadership Fund – provides offline access to a vast collection of educational resources, including textbooks, videos, resource materials and interactive content.
“The initiative is designed to support students, teachers, and lifelong learners in environments where internet connectivity is limited or unavailable,” explains Dorothy.
“For Goroka Technical College, the digital library enhances academic learning, research capacity and digital literacy, empowering students and faculty with tools that support 21st century education. In the rural Nagamiufa village, the library is a beacon of opportunity, opening access to knowledge that can support basic literacy, health awareness, youth development, etc. It enables students and community members to learn at their own pace in their own environment.”
Dorothy adds that “the project represents a commitment to inclusive education for all, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey of digital transformation and knowledge empowerment. Together we are creating a future where education is not limited by geography but expanded by innovation,” she says.
For Joanne, the opportunity to deliver the e-library to communities that may otherwise be unable to access high-quality educational resources was incredibly fulfilling.
“The true reward was seeing the relief and excitement on the faces of students and community members as they accessed knowledge and resources at their fingertips, many for the very first time. Many were excited that it didn’t require internet connectivity to access information. I am deeply passionate about serving others and creating opportunities for access to learning tools that can transform lives – education is a powerful equaliser,” says Joanne.
A lasting legacy
Fellow WLI alumna, Luanne Isikel Borle, also showed a deep commitment to enhancing equal access to high-quality education and learning resources for communities in rural, remote areas of PNG, when she spearheaded (also with support from WLI’s WLI Leadership Fund) setting up an electronic library (the Ben Isikel eLibrary) in her home village of Lemeris in New Ireland Province back in 2023.
“Founding the Ben Isikel eLibrary was about honouring my father, Ben Isikel’s legacy, while empowering rural students and teachers with access to digital resources. Seeing how a simple, locally owned innovation can transform learning outcomes reminds me that change doesn’t always require large-scale interventions, sometimes it begins with community-driven solutions. Every child, no matter where they live, should have access to quality education,” says Luanne.
Since installing the eLibrary, there has been a significant increase in students graduating year 8 and starting year 9. Before installation of RACHEL in 2022, there had been only five students who passed. This increased to nine studnets in 2023 and 12 students in 2024, with five of these students scoring 90% or above in their national exam result.
Read more about Luanne’s journey here.
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Participants and alumni can apply to access the WLI Leadership Fund through the Leaders Hub.