Panamex Company Limited’s Sales and Marketing team made a significant donation to the Suko Youths Group yesterday in Lae , providing essential supplies to support their community poultry project in what is considered one of Lae’s most challenging neighborhoods.
The Suko Community, located in East Taraka and bordered by West Taraka and Igam, has long struggled with social issues, making the youth initiative particularly significant for local development efforts.
The donation ceremony saw Panamex’s sales team, led by Simonta Hani, Marketing Manager and Nickson Imedak, Sales Supervisor Momase, present show bags containing supplies to help establish and maintain the youth group’s poultry farming venture.
Joel Rambaio, who received the donations on behalf of the Suko Youths Group, expressed gratitude for the corporate support, emphasizing its broader impact on community morale.
“This support by Panamex is something that will go a long way in helping and shaping these young men and giving them reaffirmation that there’s always a second chance,” Rambaio said. “There are groups of people and business houses out there who care for this country and the people’s wellbeing, especially the youths – the future generation of this country.”
Simonta Simongi, representing Panamex’s donation effort, stressed that the company’s mission extends beyond commercial interests to encompass community development and human resource investment.
“Panamex Limited is not just about business – it’s a company that focuses on the human resources of this country and supports communities and churches in any way possible,” Simongi told the gathered youth.
Explaining the practical application of the donation, Simongi added, “These bags we gave will help you guys to do raffle tickets to raise funds for your poultry project.”
He encouraged the group to pursue legitimate income-generating activities, stating, “I encourage you all to work hard and earn it the right way, because this group can be proof that there’s still hope and there’s always a second chance in life.”
The donation represents Panamex’s first formal engagement with the Suko Community, with plans for future visits already in development.
Simongi indicated that his team plans to return to conduct sales and marketing promotions while providing business advice to local trade stores and small businesses operating in the area.
“This part of Lae is new to our team, and we will plan another visit to the community to help people understand our products and give needed advice to small trade stores and stalls,” he explained.
Joshua Kepas, a key member of the Suko Youths Group working alongside leader Joel Rambaio, highlighted the critical role such corporate partnerships play in youth development and crime prevention.
“If it wasn’t for companies like Panamex and people who have a heart for youths like Mr. Rambaio, there wouldn’t be any hope for our youths, and they would think crime is the only solution,” Kepas said.
He expressed surprise at receiving the support, noting that the poultry project assistance exceeded the group’s expectations and demonstrated genuine corporate commitment to youth development.
The poultry project represents a practical approach to youth engagement in the Suko Community, providing participants with valuable agricultural skills while creating potential income streams.
Located at the intersection of East Taraka, West Taraka, and Igam, the Suko Community has faced ongoing challenges with youth unemployment and associated social issues, making initiatives like this particularly valuable for long-term community stability.
The partnership between Panamex Company Limited and the Suko Youths Group demonstrates how private sector engagement can contribute to addressing social challenges while building positive community relationships.
With plans for continued engagement, the Panamex-Suko Community partnership may serve as a model for other corporate social responsibility initiatives in Lae’s challenging neighborhoods.
The success of the poultry project could pave the way for additional youth-focused development programs, potentially transforming how young people in the area view their future opportunities and career prospects.