4 February 2009

New leader for Adventist women in PNG
Lae, Papua New Guinea
Matupit Darius

A long time high school teacher who has a passion for helping women has been appointed as the new Women's Ministries director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea.

Judy Ponduk, took up the leadership role this year, says that she wants to target the women at the grassroots level to boost their self-worth.

"We have been emphasising the spiritual aspect of women, but I want to develop them as holistic beings," says Ms Ponduk.

Judy Ponduk, left, chatting with Anna Samgai who lost her husband in 2006.

She further says that she plans to help women with physical, mental, social and spiritual programs and that she will strengthen the adult literacy program that was initiated by her predecessors.

Ms Ponduk who holds a masters degree in education from La Sierra University, USA and has been a high school/secondary teacher for more than 30 years. She last taught in the language department at Bugandi Secondary School, Lae.

She says that she became interested in working with women when she was teaching Home Economics at Pacific Adventist University. At that time she became involved in working with various provincial women's groups in the National Capital District.

"I have wanted to work full time with women and this is a dream come true," says Ms Ponduk.