Introduction
In July 2024, the Collective Empowerment Foundation (CEF) embarked on a remarkable journey to Hupen Village, a community tucked away in the dense interior of Papua New Guinea’s Western Province. This was the embodiment of our mission: to empower the world’s most isolated communities with ethical, culturally sensitive, and community-led development.
Starting with Respect: Listening to the Community
CEF’s first act in Hupen was not to install anything or deliver gear. It was to sit and listen. We worked closely with Paul, the respected Ward Leader, spending time with village elders, mothers, and youth to learn about the realities they faced and the priorities they held. Only with unanimous agreement did the community welcome CEF’s support.
The CEF Formula: Community-Led, Sustainable Empowerment
Our work in Hupen followed CEF’s “Formula for Empowerment,” a tailored framework that prioritises sustainable, community-driven development. The priority areas identified by the community were solar-powered electricity, clean drinking water, basic medical supplies, and a simple internet system for emergency response.
A Responsible Introduction to Internet Access
Recognizing that Hupen had never interacted with digital tools, CEF approached the installation of a Starlink internet station with exceptional care. We made it clear: Internet was not a requirement. It was an option. Its purpose is for emergencies, education, and health information, and it remains under local management. This is what ethical digital inclusion looks like: slow, respectful, and entirely community-led.
A Model for Ethical Development
The Hupen Initiative proves that development can be done differently. It can be ethical, collaborative, and consensual. This project will serve as a model for CEF’s future work—showing that even in the world’s most isolated places, empowerment is possible when done with care, respect, and trust.
