Emmanuel Health and Community Development Network

Empowering Communities Through Education, Health, and Faith. Bringing lasting change to Papua New Guinea through holistic development, literacy, and community-driven solutions.

Who We Are

Emmanuel Health & Community Development Network (EHCDN) is a faith-based non-profit uplifting rural and urban communities in Papua New Guinea.

Founded by Matella Urakowi, (studied at Massey and attended Kingston Community Church), EHCDN follows a bottom-up development approach, rooted in Christian values and the Healthy Islands Concept.

Our Mission & Vision

Vision: Thriving communities through education, healthcare, and sustainable development.

Mission: Helping people help themselves through holistic community empowerment.

Our Programmes

We are committed to making a lasting impact across various areas, ensuring holistic growth and transformation in communities.

Education

At Emmanuel Integrated Christian School, we offer literacy and life skills for children and adults. Our Adult Literacy Program teaches reading, writing, and job skills for a better future. We support children through Student Sponsorships, giving them access to education. We also train teachers to provide them with the skills needed for a strong educational foundation.

Healthcare & Well-being

We focus on community health through health awareness, teaching families about disease prevention. Our village health and midwife training improves local healthcare, ensuring safer maternal care. We also run TB and disease prevention programmes to educate and reduce health risks.

Community Development

We train people in sewing, farming, and small businesses to foster financial independence. We focus on empowering women and youth, promoting sustainable livelihoods and community growth.

Bible Training & Spiritual Growth

Faith is central to our mission. We nurture spiritual growth through Sunday School and Discipleship, teaching biblical values. Our Bible Studies and Leadership Training equip people to build and lead strong faith communities.

"Looking back on 2024, we are deeply grateful for the many blessings we have received and experienced as an organisation. We give all glory and praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, for His grace and mercy."

Current Needs &
Future Goals

Immediate Priorities

We are focused on supporting teachers through funding for training and salaries, securing safe learning spaces for students, and expanding sponsorship opportunities for underprivileged children.

Long-Term Goals (by 2027 & beyond)

Our vision includes establishing two new EICS schools in underserved areas, registering EHCDN as a Bible and Vocational Skills Training Center, and expanding our team by training four more teachers and recruiting a dedicated Bible educator. We also aim to develop a formal office and administration team while supporting youth and women’s empowerment groups.