A special groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, 5th June 2025 at 3pm for the new SHP Adventist Multi-purpose College at Papera Village, Lower Mendi, SHP.
This historic event marks the beginning of a major development under the Western Highlands Adventist Mission.
The ceremony was led by Pastor Malachi Yani, President of PNGUM (Seventh-day Adventist Church in PNG), and attended by the Western Highlands Mission CFO, SHP District Directors, pastors, local businessman and project initiator Elder Joseph Wandi, Mendi PSC Snr. Inspector Philip Kumo, sponsors, and local community leaders from Anga Angula.
The estimated cost of the project is K60–K70 million. The college will include classrooms, staff houses, dormitories, an administration building, dining hall, and other facilities.
Elder Joseph Wandi shared that this is a faith-based project showing what can be achieved by trusting in God and working together.
He pledged to continue working with the SDA Mission to make the project a success.
Pastor Malachi Yani praised Elder Wandi’s leadership and thanked all local church workers, especially those under the leadership of Pastor Danny David, for their support.
He said the college will not only serve Papera but the whole SHP and PNG by helping to educate future leaders.
He also announced the college will offer multiple programs including teaching, theology, carpentry, business, and technical courses.
This is the first major SDA development in the Western Highlands Mission area, which includes WHP, SHP, Jiwaka, Enga, and Sandaun provinces. Construction is expected to begin later this month.